Processing & Handling
Chementator: This graphene-based catalyst speeds cellulose saccrification, without H2SO4 waste
In order to make ethanol from cellulose, the polysaccharide must first be broken down into sugars (saccharrified) that can be fermented. Normally, this hydrolysis reaction is catalyzed by sulfuric acid or enzymes. However, H2SO4 -based hydrolysis generates spent acid, which…
Chementator: Feed sugar to these bacteria and they’ll produce hydrogen
Azotobacter are nitrogen-fixing bacteria that do a useful job in soil by converting N 2 to ammonia. As a side reaction they also produce hydrogen, most of which they oxidize for their own energy consumption. In a project of the…
Chementator: Improving leather
Last month, Lanxess AG (Leverkusen, Germany; www.lanxess.com) launched Levotan X-Cel, an polymer mixture based on expandable microcapsules, for retannage in leather processing. With a diameter of 5 – 20 µm, the microcapsules are small enough to penetrate into the collagen…
Focus On: Pipes & Fittings
Look here for an Easy, Sturdy Compressed-Air Piping System Newly available in 76- and 100-mm dia., SmartPipe is a modular, aluminum piping system boasting a low friction coefficient due to its smooth, calibrated construction. With its full-bore fittings and push-to-fit,…
Chementator: PSA may compete with cryogenics for helium production
Apilot plant that uses pressure swing adsorption (PSA) to extract helium from natural gas has been started up and is operating successfully in India at the Kuthalam Gas Collecting Station of Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC; www.ongcindia.com). Normally, helium…
Chementator: This bead mill is efficient at making nanodispersions
A new grinder that combines large-bead (0.3 – 0.5 mm) milling and ultrasound to produce nanodispersions with relatively high concentrations has been developed by Inoue Manufacturing Inc. (Isehara; www.inouemfg.com), in cooperation with the National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS; Tsukuba,…
Chementator: A new F-T catalyst
A new metal carbide F-T catalyst has been developed by Oxford Catalysts Limited (Oxford, U.K., www.oxfordcatalysts.com) for making second-generation biofuel in small-scale microchannel reactors. The catalyst was produced using the company’s patented organic matrix combustion method, which makes it possible…
Chementator: Microreactors
Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS GmbH (EMB), a subsidiary of Bayer Technology Services GmbH (BTS; Leverkusen, Germany; www.bayertechnology.com), has signed a production-and-marketing agreement with Xytel Inc. (Spartanburg, S.C.; www.xytelcorp.com) to introduce microreactor technology in pilot plants for the oil and gas, chemical…
Chementator: A New Process for Making Solar-Cell-Grade Silicon Slated for Commercialization
Chisso Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.chisso.co.jp) has established a new joint-venture (JV) company to produce solar grade silicon using a new process that was first developed by Chisso and subsequently refined, jointly, by the three JV partners: Chisso (50% share), Nippon…
Chementator: A New Valve Seat
Flowserve Corp. (Dallas, Tex.; www.flowserve.com) has introduced the Valtek Valdisk high-cycle seat, claimed to be a "breakthrough" seat design for Valtek butterfly valves. The new seat design is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and offers an ANSI/FCI 7-0-2 class…