Processing & Handling
A new member to this family of turbo-molecular pumps
The new TMP-X2905/X3405 Series of turbo-molecular pumps (TMP) has integrated power supplies and 3,000 L/s class pumping speeds for the semiconductor and flat-panel-display manufacturers. Integrating the power supply into the pump reduces the height of the new pump by 15%…
Maximizing Fan Efficiency
Optimizing fan performance can help plants reach overall process efficiency goals. The cost of powering fans and ventilators in the chemical process industries (CPI) is significant. For example, ventilation and air-pollution control systems can account for over a quarter of…
How To Properly Size A Steam Trap
Proper steam-trap sizing is critical to efficient and reliable steam-trap operation. Incorrect steam trap sizing can undermine the design and function of the steam trap, create installation issues, and cause condensate backup, steam loss, or both. Steam-trap sizing refers to…
A one-pot process to pretreat and saccharify biomass
Researchers from the U.S. Dept. of Energys Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI; Emeryville, Calif.; www.jbei.org) have reported the first demonstration of a one-pot, wash-free process for the ionic-liquid pretreatment and saccharification of switchgrass — a leading potential biofuel feedstock. By combining…
Successful implementation of a new extractive-distillation technology for aromatics recovery
AMT International Inc. (Plano, Texas; www.amtintl.com) and LG Chem, Ltd. (Seoul, Korea; www.lgchem.com) have successfully converted an existing sulfolane liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) unit at LG Chem’s Yeosu plant using a new extractive-distillation (ED) process for aromatics recovery. This technology was…
Cement technology increases strength and lowers emissions footprint
Cement manufacturing is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions due to two factors: carbon dioxide is released when calcium carbonate calcines to lime (CaO) in the cement manufacturing process; and cement kilns are operated at temperatures of 1,500°C, which…
A direct, one-step enzymatic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol
The selective, one-step biocatalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol — at ambient pressure and temperature — has been demonstrated by professors Yoshihito Watanabe and Osamu Shoji at Nagoya University (Nagoya, Japan; bioinorg.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp). The achievement was made using a wild-type of…
A step toward ammonia production at ambient conditions
Many investigations are ongoing to achieve ammonia synthesis at energy-saving mild conditions instead of the high temperatures and pressures (500°C, 300 atm) required by the commonly used Haber-Bosch process, which consumes more than 1% of the world’s power production. Now,…
Two new sealless pumps for handling hazardous chemicals
Designed for general industrial applications, the new SLC4 (photo) and SLC8 models of the Seal-Less Drive Eccentric Disc Pumps line also handle numerous chemicals, such as isocyanates, polyols, additives, solvents, starches and glues, inks and resins, methacrylates and detergents. The…
A valve positioner for hygienic applications
The new intelligent positioner TopControl Basic, Type 8694 is designed for applications in hygienic process environments. With a compact design, it is optimized for integrated mounting on the company’s Element and Classic valve ranges, as well as third-party process valves.…