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Processing & Handling

Focus on Physical Properties To Improve Processes

Music is nature’s gift to humans. Irrespective of nationality, we all like to hum melodies, tap rhythms and sway to pleasing tunes. Even children just learning to stand enjoy wiggling to good music. In all cultures, the notes that comprise…

This ball valve has pressed-end connections

A three-piece, stainless-steel ball valve features this company’s Smart Connect feature for joining pipes without welding. The ball valves are available in two grades of stainless-steel grades (304 and 316), in sizes from 0.5 to 2.0 in., and with more…

Battery performance is enhanced with these additives

One additive intended for use in lead-acid batteries for micro-hybrid gasoline engines, and another for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, can improve battery performance. PBX51 is a performance additive designed to improve performance and lifetime for lead-acid batteries requiring high…

This gear pump delivers smooth flows up to 5 gal/min

The Model TG-300 variable-speed low-flow pump is a positive displacement gear pump designed for smooth, continuous flows from 0 to 400 mL/min (0–5 gal/h). Fluids compatible with aluminum, steel, Viton and Teflon-wetted materials and viscosities of 30–600 cSt can be…

Now you can wash tanks in hazardous zones with this nozzle

The HydroWhirl S tank washing nozzle range has been expanded to include ATEX-certified versions for use in atmospheres that are potentially explosive, while also meeting requirements for gas and dust approvals for all zones (0, 1 and 2). The HydroWhirl…

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A new PLA process makes its commercial debut

Earlier this year, the first polylactic acid (PLA) plant based on a new polymerization process was put into service by Synbra Technology in Etten Leur, the Netherlands. The plant — capable of producing up to 5,000 ton/yr of PLA —…

Focus on Valves

Metso Fugitive emissions are minimized with this control valve The Neles Finetrol rotary control valve (photo) can achieve ISO 15848-1 class BH fugitive-emission-type approval certification in the most demanding endurance class (CH-3; 100,000 mechanical cycles). The new design reduces health…

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Nanosized zeolite catalyst shows promise for improving naphtha cracking

A naphtha-cracking process with improved yield, reduced coking and longer catalyst life is being developed in a five-year Japanese project led by professor Takashi Tatsumi at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TiTech; www.titech.ac.jp), with participation from the National Institute of…

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Very rapid cooling enables a new way to produce magnesium

A carbothermal process for obtaining magnesium — developed by CSIRO (www.csiro.au) Light Metals Flagship (South Clayton, Victoria, Australia) — overcomes previous limitations to commercial viability. For several years, magnesium has been produced mainly by electrolytic routes, from magnesium chloride sources…

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A new PLA process makes its commercial debut

Earlier this year, the first polylactic acid (PLA) plant based on a new polymerization process was put into service by Synbra Technology in Etten Leur, the Netherlands. The plant — capable of producing up to 5,000 ton/yr of PLA —…