Plant Watch Asahi Kasei starts operation of multi-module hydrogen pilot plant in Japan May 14, 2024 — Asahi Kasei Corp. (Tokyo; www.asahi-kasei.com) opened a new hydrogen pilot plant in Kawasaki, Japan. In the pilot plant, four 0.8-MW electrolyzer modules are…
New packings and trays encourage effectiveness and energy efficiency in traditional and emerging applications Equipment for distillation, absorption, stripping, extraction and phase separation plays a major role in the chemical process industries (CPI). However, separation processes are notoriously energy intensive,…
Plastic products have evolved to play a prominent role in our daily lives. They are generally durable and lightweight, making them ideal for a broad spectrum of applications, such as: improving efficiency of automobiles; extending the shelf-life of foods; providing…
Gallium and germanium are considered critical materials due to their multiple uses in semiconductors, optics, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and other high-technology applications. Current solvent-based extraction methods for recovering these elements suffer from significant drawbacks, such as low separation efficiency, poor…
A process commercialized by Fortera Corp. (San Jose, Calif.; www.forteraglobal.com) creates a cement product that reduces CO2 emissions by 70% on a ton-for-ton basis, and can be blended with conventional cement or used as a standalone material to make ready-mix…
Most modern chemical processes require some means of rejecting heat for maintaining process efficiency, product quality and plant safety. Examples of heat rejection include cooling crystallization liquid, cooling reactor effluent, condensing material from a distillation column and cooling steps in…
Lummus Technology (Houston) announced the commercial availability of CDDME, a new renewable dimethyl ether (DME) technology that is enhanced through catalytic distillation (CD). "Lummus has a leading market position and extensive commercial experience in ethers production, from small specialty applications…
LyondellBasell (LYB; Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Alujain Corporation (Alujain) announced completion of the acquisition of a 35% interest in Saudi Arabia–based National Petrochemical Industrial Company (NATPET) by LYB from Alujain. The joint venture is enabled by LYB Spheripol polypropylene (PP)…
Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany) has acquired the manufacturing assets and know-how of U.S.-based Bio Med Sciences Inc. to expand its expertise and business in silicone-coated healthcare products. A corresponding purchase agreement was signed between WACKER and the Pennsylvania-based company.…
Next Wave Energy Partners, LP (Next Wave) selected Elessent Clean Technologies, Inc. (Elessent) in 2019 to provide STRATCO alkylation technology at the world’s first stand-alone alkylation complex, which has now been completed. Situated in the heart of the Houston Ship…