Last month, Brain AG (Zwingenberg; www.brain-biotech.de) and Dechema e.V. (Frankfurt am Main, both Germany; www.dechema.de) began a collaboration in the biotechnological production of perillic acid — a patented natural monoterpene owned by Brain, with promising applications as a bioactive compound…
Ube Industries, Ltd. (UBE; www. ube-ind.co.jp) and HighChem Co. (both Tokyo; www.highchem.co.jp) will license their technologies for transforming coal-derived synthesis gas (syngas) into manufacturing ethylene glycol (MEG) — a polyester feedstock — to Qianxixian Qianxi Coal Chemical Investment Co. (Guizhou,…
A new method for removing hydrogen sulfide from natural gas at ambient temperatures could allow significant energy savings compared to the current technique and increase the range of H2S concentrations in natural gas that are economically viable to extract from…
By the end of this year, Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp. (Tokyo; www.asahi-kasei.co.jp) plans to complete development on two processes that utilize excess C2 and C4 fractions for producing propylene and butadiene, and if all goes smoothly, implement them by March…
The chemical process industries (CPI) are looking for ways to decrease and control costs, and mixing operations are not exempt from this belt tightening. But because mixing is vital to most chemical processes, it can’t be eliminated. As a…
Traditionally, most students have learned about chemical reactions in laboratories using test tubes, beakers and flasks. Those who have gone on to discover and develop new products have typically done so using these batchwise techniques. This mind-set has continued through…
Intended for fragile, glass-lined and large-diameter equipment, the Series 600 gasket tape (photo) consists entirely of multidirectional-strength, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The tape is capable of resisting degradation by all chemicals with pH of 0 to 14, except molten alkali metals…
To free seized or corroded assemblies, Loctite Freeze and Release, a low-viscosity, spray-on lubricant, is designed to shock-freeze metal parts, allowing lubricating oils to penetrate into rust layers. Loctite Freeze and Release instantly freezes seized and rusted parts to –…
For more than a decade, this firm’s electromechanical membrane pumps have been used for the gentle product transport of fluidizable powders at a very low energy cost. Suitable powders from silos, big bags, barrels and containers are conveyed efficiently and…
Hydrogen is a combustible gas that is difficult to detect and easily ignitable on contact with open flames, electrical sparks or static discharge. This fast, ultrasonic gas-leak detector quickly detects the ultrasonic noise generated by the escaping gas at a…