This column is based on “Neopentyl Glycol Production Process – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/neopentyl-glycol-production-cost. Neopentyl glycol (NPG; 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol) is an industrially important and versatile diol, mainly employed as a building block…
Pelletizing, a tumble-growth agglomeration process, offers many potential benefits to processors handling bulk solid materials. This article provides an overview of how agglomerate pelletizing works and the important elements that must be considered Pelletizing, a form of agglomeration (particle size…
Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST; Daejeon; www.kaist.ac.kr) have developed a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically porous nanostructured catalyst that is said to have a CO2-to-CO conversion rate up to 3.96 times higher than that of conventional…
A semiconducting material synthesized by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI; Troy, N.Y.; www.rpi.edu) could enable new ways of manipulating electronic materials remotely using light. The material, explains RPI professor of materials science and engineering Jian Shi, derives its unique…
Ethylene is a multifunctional phytohormone that regulates growth, ripening and other functions in plants. For example, bananas stored next to apples will ripen quickly due to the ethylene released from the apples, which in turn are triggered to release more…
Designing easier access to mechanical components in solids-conveying systems reduces maintenance costs and improves safety Virtually every vehicle on the road today is designed with an engine hood that can be easily opened for access to the engine, so mechanics…
Raman spectroscopy capability with bioreactor platforms BioPAT Spectro (photo) is a Quality by Design (QbD) tool for use with this company’s ambr automated micro and mini bioreactor systems and with Biostat STR single-use production bioreactors. The new tool offers access…
IFAT (rescheduled for September 7–11, Munich, Germany; www.ifat.de) is the world’s leading tradefair for water, sewage, waste- and raw-materials management. More than 3,000 exhibitors are expected to participate, presenting the latest products and services spanning the environmental sector, from sewage-treatment…
Improved equipment and controls, as well as continuous mixing, improve efficiency Optimization is imperative for today’s chemical processors who strive to remain competitive by providing higher quality products at lower costs in a more timely fashion. And mixing operations are…
The biennial International Powder & Bulk Solids (iPBS) Conference & Exhibition will be held October 6–8 (rescheduled from April 28–30) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The event features an expo hall with over 425 exhibitors…