In The News
Revamped hydrotreater co-processes light gas oil and tall oil derivative to produce ULSD
Co-processing of biomass-derived feed with petroleum feed for the production of diesel fuel is a tricky business, given that the former (unlike petroleum) contains oxygen. The oxygenates can be removed by hydrotreating, which converts the biofeed to normal paraffins, but…
Destroy HFCs and recover CaF2 with this process
A process that destroys hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and recovers high-purity calcium fluoride has been developed by chemical-engineering professor Hideki Yamamoto at Kansai University (Suita City, Osaka; www.cheng.kansai-u.ac.jp/Process) in cooperation with Shiraishi Kogyo Kaisha Ltd. (Amagasaki City, Osaka; both Japan; www.shiraishi.co.jp/kogyo). The technology…
Distillation-tray downcomer design improves mass transfer efficiency
A new approach to the design of the downcomer portion of distillation column trays — presented at the recent American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Spring 2010 meeting (San Antonio, Tex.; March 21–25) — promotes a uniform fluid flow pattern,…
Surface-structured RO membrane couples fouling resistance with flux
Engineers at the University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA; www.ucla.edu) have developed a new class of highly permeable reverse-osmosis (RO) membranes for water desalination that incorporates a “brush layer” of hydrophilic polymer chains anchored to the membrane surface. Brownian motion of…
Improving enzyme performance for making chemicals
By genetically modifying E. coli — introducing four enzymatic genes from bacteria of the Clostridium family — Mitsui Chemicals Corp. (Mitsui, Tokyo, www.mitsuichem.com) has increased the selectivity for fermenting glucose into isopropyl alcohol (IPA) from 40% to up to 70%.…
These microfluidic sensors can be made with a sewing machine
A low-cost method for fabricating microfluidic diagnostics devices using cotton, paper, or other multifilament threads has been developed by a team from Monash University (Melbourne, Australia; www.eng.monash.edu.au). The devices can be used to provide qualitative and, at least, semi-quantitative analyses…
A new material for 700°C power plants
Together with E.ON AG (Düsseldorf; www.eon.com) and Hitachi Power Europe (Duisburg, Germany; www.hitachi-power.com), ThyssenKrupp VDM (Werdohl, all Germany; www.thyssenkruppvdm.com) has laboratory-developed a new material that, subject to successful testing, will represent a major step towards the construction of advanced 700°C…
Boliden acquires sulfuric acid plant from Kemira
Boliden AB (Stockholm, Sweden; www.boliden.com) has acquired Kemira’s sulfuric acid plant and business in Kokkola, Finland, effective as of 1st May 2010. The acquisition will enable Boliden to conduct its sulfuric-acid-manufacturing operations at Kokkola in-house, and thereby gain control over…
Outotec acquires Edmeston
Outotec Oyj (Espoo, Finland; www.outotec.com) has acquired all shares in Edmeston AB (Gothenburg Sweden; www.edmeston.com), a company specializing in sulfuric acid production equipment and systems. The transaction is subject to completion of confirmatory due diligence, and it is expected to…
Neste Jacobs & Eesti Energia to build a shale-oil condensation unit in Estonia
Neste Jacobs Oy (Porvoo, Finland; www.nestejacobs.com) and Eesti Energia (Tallinn, Estonia; www.energia.ee) agreed on building a shale oil condensation unit in Estonia. Neste Jacobs was selected to act as engineering partner for a new shale-oil condensation unit in Estonia. Neste Jacobs and…