Oji Paper Co. (OJI; www.ojipaper.co.jp), in collaboration with Nippon Steel Engineering Co. (www.nsc-eng.co.jp) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST; all Tokyo, Japan; www.aist.go.jp), has started pilot testing of a new, integrated process for making cellulose-based…
Solutions for high-purity piping code You ran a most illuminating article based on the new ASME code (July 2011, New Piping Code for High-Purity Processes, pp. 49–53), and I have been examining the welding industry’s response to the new challenges.…
Screw compressors are widely used throughout the chemical process industries (CPI) and represent a substantial percentage of all positive-displacement compressors that are now sold and in operation in CPI facilities. In general, screw compressors are efficient, reliable, simple and…
The ecosmart metering pump is now available with a PVC pump head. That means the ecosmart can even be used in applications that require good resistance against highly aggressive chemicals — including industrial water-treatment systems, for example, where sodium hypochloride…
This company’s new generation of check valves features a hydrodynamically optimized valve cone, which minimizes the pressure loss while increasing flow by 25% compared to the previous generation. It is practically impossible for the valve cone to jam anymore since…
Rhodia (Paris, France; www.rhodia.com,) member of the Solvay Group, and Avantium (Amsterdam, the Netherlands; www.avantium.com) have entered into a partnership to jointly develop a range of new bio-based polyamides targeting a variety of applications. This partnership expands and completes the…
DuPont (Wilmington, Del.; www.dupont.com) and NexSteppe (Malibu, Calif.; www.nexsteppe.com) have entered into a collaboration to develop advanced feedstocks for biofuels and other bio-based products. The collaboration will focus on the development of new sweet sorghum and high-biomass sorghum hybrids that…
A new distillation system capable of reducing energy consumption by up to 50% compared to conventional columns has been developed by Toyo Engineering Corp. (Toyo; Chiba, www.toyo-eng.co.jp), in collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST;…
Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent can be used in a variety of insulation applications, including spray foam, foam insulating panels and refrigerator insulation. The manufacturer says use of the new material can make refrigerators up to 10–12% more energy efficient than…
Consisting of an integrated automation unit and actuator, Unique Control (photo) is a new way to control and operate a valve. Quick and easy to install, it eliminates the need for separate automation units. Unique Control is designed to handle…