A simplified and streamlined new process for producing purified terephthalic acid (PTA), trademarked as Compress PTA and co-developed by The Dow Chemical Co. (Midland, Mich.; www.dow.com) and Davy Process Technology (DPT; London, U.K.; www.davyprotech.com), requires 15% lower capital spending, 20%…
In recent years, a number of factors have further emphasized the importance of solvent selection in the chemical process industries (CPI). These include the increasing regulatory scrutiny leveled on industrial solvents, and an effort by CPI companies to reduce the…
The range of synthetic biology tools available for manipulating microbial metabolic pathways has expanded significantly in the past decade, opening new routes to chemical products. But the development challenges associated with strain development, as well as scaling up effective fermentation…
Aerzen Maschinenfabrik GmbH (Aerzen, Germany; www.aerzen.com) has commercialized the first rotary lobe compressor, the Delta Hybrid, which combines the technologies of both a rotary lobe blower and a screw compressor. This union reduces the energy consumption by up to 15%…
One of the biggest factors hindering widespread adoption of polymer exchange membrane fuel-cells (PEMFCs) is the high price of the platinum metal needed to catalyze the reduction-oxidation chemistry in the fuel cell. In a step toward reducing platinum content, a…
Measurement of fluids’ viscosity in the chemical process industries (CPI) can represent a useful “product dimension” for manufacturers. Understanding a material’s flow characteristics is valuable in predicting several parameters relevant to many CPI processes, including pumpability, pourability, performance in a…
Polymeric piping systems have been used in well-defined segments of the chemical process industries (CPI) for decades. They have proven their sustainability to manage almost any chemical load up to temperatures of 100°C in the moderate pressure region ( p…
Carbon Sciences Inc. (Santa Barbara, Calif.; www.carbonsciences.com) has filed a patent application surrounding its process for converting carbon dioxide and methane into liquid fuels. The patent application focuses on the design of the company’s novel chemical catalyst, among other aspects…
Containing fugitive emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) is a challenge to the chemical process industries (CPI). It has been estimated that these industries account for half of all fugitive emissions, and 60% of these…
Incorporating fire safety into plant design takes on two fundamental goals: to prevent the occurrence of fire and to protect the initially uninvolved piping and equipment long enough for operations personnel to perform their duties and for emergency responders to…