Improvements in energy efficiency, reliability and operational boundaries reduce emissions and cut costs Due to a demand to increase margins and meet sustainability and decarbonization targets, today’s chemical processors are seeking ways to improve energy efficiency and reliability while also…
Spider silk protein generates significant development interest due to its unique combination of properties, including high toughness and strength, extensibility, biocompatibility, thermal stability and others. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI; Troy, N.Y.; www.rpi.edu) have developed what is said to…
Stranded methane in waste streams and flare gases at remote processing sites is a promising untapped resource. Now, with a new modular technology, companies can take advantage of this hydrocarbon-containing stream while also reducing their methane emissions. M2X Energy (Rockledge,…
Fermentation processes provide essential pathways for many chemicals, but are often hampered by high costs and low yields due to CO2 losses. To overcome these concerns, ZymoChem (San Leandro, Calif.; www.zymochem.com) has developed the patented Carbon Conservation fermentation technology. “Typically,…
The patented technology to measure buildup can be used to optimize cleaning cycles and avoid unplanned shutdowns To keep operations at peak efficiency, process systems must be kept as clean as possible. However, some of the normal byproducts of operating…
Chemists at the University of Amsterdam (UvA; the Netherlands; www.uva.nl) have developed an autonomous chemical-synthesis robot with an integrated artificial-intelligence (AI)-driven machine learning unit. Dubbed “RoboChem,” the benchtop device can outperform a human chemist in terms of speed and accuracy,…
The Emission Free Pulping program aims to significantly reduce biomass burning and increase the product yield of wood material used for pulping from approximately 50 to around 70%. The five-year, €15-million program is jointly led by VTT Technical Research Centre…
A first-of-its-kind plastics-recycling technology is being demonstrated in a new pilot plant in India. Novoloop (Menlo Park, Calif.; www.novoloop.com), in partnership with Aether Industries (Gujarat, India; www.aether.co.in), is developing an integrated pilot plant to scale up Novoloop’s Lifecycling technology, which…
The Pilot Reactor Controller (photo) provides easy control, automation and monitoring of any pilot reactor and associated devices via a single software interface. Designed for the pharmaceutical, chemical, contract-research or manufacturing organization (CRO/CMO), agrochemical and flavor and fragrance sectors, this…
Plant Watch Petrobras to build ‘green’ hydrogen pilot plant with Senai ISI-ER February 12, 2024 — Petrobras (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; www.petrobras.com.br) entered into a cooperation agreement with Instituto Senai de Energias Renováveis to build a pilot electrolysis plant to…