Chemical Engineering
Avoiding Problems in Handling Solid Waste
Bulk-solid waste materials present unique handling challenges. Presented here is a discussion on how to navigate those challenges, along with some characterization strategies to avoid them Across industry sectors, solid waste materials are common and highly varied. The complexities of…
Small-angle X-ray scattering reveals catalyst degradation routes for CO2RR
The CO2 electrochemical reduction reaction (CO2RR) has intrigued scientists for decades as a way to make fuel and chemicals from the greenhouse gas CO2. Prior research identified copper as a CO2RR catalyst, and has revealed the active sites where electrocatalysis…
This biosolids gasification technology also destroys PFAS
A new gasification process designed for the disposal of biosolids is also capable of destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminants, which are typically very resistant to conventional treatment processes. Aries Clean Technologies (Franklin, Tenn.; www.ariescleantech.com) recently validated its fluidized-bed…
Hydrogen storage using lignin-based jet fuel demonstrated
Hydrogen can be a zero-emissions fuel source, but its storage and transportation are costly and problematic, limiting its widespread use. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), in which hydrogen atoms are chemically bound to liquid hydrocarbons via reversible hydrogenation reactions, offer…
Microbial biohydrometallurgy boosts copper recovery from extremely challenging ores
A “plug-and-play” microbial technology enables the recovery of additional copper from low-grade ores when used alongside traditional sulfuric-acid heap-leach methods. Working synergistically within the existing heap-leach infrastructure, the unique microbial communities that have been cultivated by Endolith (Westminster, Colo.; www.endolithmining.com)…
Using water to break ultra-strong PFAS bonds
Water contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds is one of the most significant environmental and health issues globally. In particular, effectively breaking the carbon-fluorine bonds that are paramount to the stability and persistent nature of PFAS is extremely…
New CO2-to-CO process commercialized by Axens, IFPEN and SMS Group
Axens, IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN; both Rueil-Malmaison, France) and SMS group, have successfully homologated the Carboverseo™ technology. This innovative reverse water-gas shift process, which converts CO2 into CO, is now live and ready to revolutionize the e-fuel industry by providing…
Sekisui Chemical to construct new injection-molding plant in Pune, India
Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) has decided to establish sixth injection-molding plant in India for Sekisui DLJM Molding Pvt. Ltd., which manufactures and sells injection molded products for automobiles in Pune, Maharashtra in western India. The investment for establishing…
Kuraray to expand production capacity for optical films in Japan
Kuraray Co. (Tokyo) announced plans to expand production facilities for optical-use poval film, a base material for polarizing films used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), at its Saijo Plant located in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. With this expansion, the…
Aditya Birla acquires specialty alumina manufacturer in the U.S.
Hindalco Industries Ltd. the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group (Mumbai, India; www.adityabirla.com), has announced the acquisition of a 100% equity stake in US-based AluChem Companies, Inc., a prominent manufacturer of Specialty Alumina, for an enterprise value of $125…