Process simulation methods are used to evaluate the performance of proposed distillation systems and improve the performance of existing ones. The most common approaches for modeling distillation processes can be broadly divided into equilibrium and non-equilibrium methods. This article provides…
The alcohol n-butanol is applied in the production of butyl acrylates to supply the coatings and adhesives industries. It is also used in plasticizers or directly as a solvent. It is commercially produced from propylene and synthesis gas (syngas) by…
Bartec Pixavi Impact X is the first intrinsically safe smartphone with the same usability, performance and functionality as high-end consumer devices. The product is ready to use right out of the box, just like a regular smartphone. In addition to…
With the release of DeltaV Virtual Studio v2.3, this company expands the virtualization capabilities in its DeltaV distributed control system (DCS) for easy implementation and management of on-line production and off-line development, test and training systems. While many large manufacturing…
High-end Android smartphone for hazardous areas Impact X (photo) is the first intrinsically safe smartphone with the same usability, performance and functionality as high-end consumer devices. The product is ready to use right out of the box, just like a…
Plant Watch Momentive to construct two formaldehyde plants in Louisiana November 10, 2014 — Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. (Columbus, Ohio; www.momentive.com) plans to build two new formaldehyde plants in Geismar and Luling, La., with operations expected to begin in…
Current trends The preliminary value for the September CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI; top; the most recent available) rose 0.26% from the final August value, extending the series of monthly increases to six in a row. All four of the…
A collaboration between LanzaTech (Skokie, Ill.; www.lanzatech.com) and the IOC-DBT Center for Advanced Bio-Energy Research (Faridabad, India; www.iocl.com) has led to a carbon-capturing process that synthesizes omega-3 lipids in algae. Via a continuous fermentation step that takes place in a…
A process that continuously produces methanol from methane is being developed by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI; Des Plaines, Ill.; www.gastechnology.org), with support from the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s (Washington, D.C.) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The process operates at…
A new lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in only two minutes — 20 times faster than with current technology — has been developed by scientists from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore; www.ntu.edu.sg). The battery will also have a lifespan of…