Chemical Engineering
Thermally switchable solvents allow selective extraction of lithium from brine mixtures
Extracting lithium from currently underutilized brines, such as geothermal and oilfield brines, will be necessary to meet the growing demand for lithium in energy-storage applications in the future. Technical hurdles for extracting lithium from these sources include the relatively low…
Plasmon-assisted electrochemistry allows a greener approach to olefin epoxidation
Olefin epoxidation is an important reaction for making a range of industrial intermediates in processes for epoxy coatings, polyurethanes, polyester textiles, surfactants, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals and others. Conventional olefin epoxidation involves organo-peroxides or organo-halogen oxidants, which present safety and environmental…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Biocompatible materials
Biocompatible materials are designed and engineered to be introduced into the human body, either temporarily or permanently, as part of a medical device, to bring about therapeutic medical benefits. Biocompatible materials include various types of metals, ceramics, polymers and composite…
Robust Pumps Provide Greater Reliability
New pump designs and smart technologies ensure long-term performance in chemical process applications Chemical processes have some of the most demanding pump environments. Pumps are exposed to aggressive media and extreme operating conditions, while strict safety and environmental regulations, coupled…
The Role of Flowability in Powder and Bulk-Solids Safety
Flow behavior of solid materials can have a significant impact on safety. These case studies illustrate how a better understanding of flow behavior can reduce safety risks At least 75% of chemical process and manufacturing operations involve bulk solids in…
What HAZOP Information Really Represents — and How It Should Be Managed
HAZOP data management should be treated as a systemic process-safety issue, as it can be a significant and invisible source of inefficiency. This article describes the principles required to create HAZOP records that can stand on their own over time…
Vendor and supplier trust is indispensable amidst volatility
Last month, members of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA; Arlington, Va.; www.socma.org) gathered in Nashville, Tenn. for the annual SOCMA Show event. At the event, between talk of tariffs, ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, the proliferation of…
Business News: April 2026
Plant Watch Indorama Ventures to establish one of Africa’s largest recycling facilities for PET March 12, 2026 — Indorama Ventures Ltd. (Bangkok, Thailand; www.indoramaventures.com), Nigerian Breweries p.l.c. and Genesis Power & Energy Solutions Ltd. plan to establish one of Africa’s…
Pilot project paves the way for super-efficient ammonia cracking
Ammonia cracking, decomposing ammonia into its constituent nitrogen and hydrogen molecules, is gaining traction as an emerging source for cleaner hydrogen. However, this reaction is very endothermic and requires heat and high temperature. In a proprietary technology developed by Duiker…
DuPont announces commissioning of water-treatment plant in Kenya
DuPont (Wilmington, Del.) announced the commissioning of a new multi-tech water treatment plant in Baringo, Kenya, serving the rural community of Kampi Ya Samaki with its first reliable source of clean and healthy drinking water. Delivered through its long-running partnership…