Light olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, are primarily made by the catalytic cracking of crude oil. Alternatively, two other methods were developed during the time of high oil prices, both of which convert synthesis gas (syngas) to olefins: the…
The first commercial-scale, natural-gas-fermentation facility in the U.S. will break ground by the end of 2016, according to Alan Shaw, CEO of Calysta Inc. (Menlo Park, Calif.; www.calysta.com). In a collaboration with agricultural giant Cargill Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.; www.cargill.com), Calysta…
Sydney University’s Laboratory for Sustainable Technology (Sydney, Australia; www.sydney.edu.au) and the technology-commercialization-firm Hazer Group (Perth, Australia; www.hazergroup.com.au) are collaborating to scale up the Hazer Process, which uses an iron-ore catalyst to produce hydrogen and graphite from natural gas. Natural gas…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor has issued a final rule to better protect workers who are exposed to respirable silica dust. The rule is aimed to curb lung cancer and other diseases…
This company’s dome-loaded vacuum regulators are now available in an anodized aluminum version (photo). Previously, the regulators were only available in stainless steel or polyvinyl chloride. The lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum models are suitable for many vacuum applications, such as extrusion…
The new MultiPort inlet selector (photo) is now available for this company’s IGA and XEMIS series gas-sorption analyzers. MultiPort offers expansion of the number of gases that can be simultaneously connected and the level of automation available. There are connections…
This company’s line of controllers for ultrasonic direct-drive motors and positioning stages offer responsiveness for a range of user requirements, including precision positioning and handling. The small-footprint C-877.1U11 single-axis controller (photo) and low-cost two-axis controller are among the product line’s…
The 491Flex Calibration Gas Standards Generator (photo) is an update of the 491M manual system, retaining the modular construction and expandability of the previous model, but replacing the analog controls with the computer-controlled FlexStream system. Other features include capabilities for…
Previously rated at 1,000 psi maximum discharge pressure, Hydra-Cell D10 Series sealless pumps with metallic pump heads (photo) can now operate at pressures up to 1,500 psi. Used for a wide range of processing applications and in manufacturing plants, Hydra-Cell…
Taking place April 26–28 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, Interphex 2016 (www.interphex.com) will bring together professionals from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical-device industries for a technical conference and exhibition. This show preview highlights some of…