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Using algae to make beta-1,3- glucan

With a separate algae-based technology, Algal Scientific has invented a sterile fermentation process for making beta-1,3-glucan from algae that has lower costs than those associated with fermenting the molecule with yeast. Beta-1,3-glucan is a polysaccharide that boosts immune-system function in…

Using algae to clean wastewater

Technology developed by Algal Scientific Corp. (Northville, Mich.; www.algalscientific.com) uses algae to remove soluble organics, nitrogen and phosphorous from medium- to high-strength wastewaters in a single step. The technology is an alternative to multistep treatment processes involving the use of…

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This PEM fuel cell has H2 storage built-in

Conventional hydrogen-based systems designed to store electrical energy (from solar arrays, for example) typically feed electricity to a proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolyzer to generate H2 from water. This H2 is then compressed and stored in a cylinder, or as a metal…

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This demonstration plant makes bioethanol from tapioca residue

In April, a demonstration plant started up that makes bioethanol from cassava residue — a byproduct of tapioca production. The demonstration plant, located at the cassava starch plant of EBP Ethanol Co. in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand, is part of…

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Biomass torrefaction plant undergoing expansion

A biomass torrefaction plant run by New Biomass Energy LLC (NBE; Quitman, Miss.; www.newbiomass.com) is currently undergoing an expansion that will increase its annual production capacity to 250,000 tons of torrefied wood product. The company expects the expansion to be…

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A copper catalyst with promise for utilizing CO2 in organic synthesis

Scientists from the A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) Institute for Chemical and Engineering Sciences (Singapore; www.a-star.edu.sg) have shown that a copper catalyst can incorporate CO2 into organic molecules under mild conditions, opening the way to an inexpensive, nontoxic…

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Renewable surfactant can replace solvents for cleaning

A nonionic surfactant that is derived from renewable chemicals can outperform common solvents in a range of applications, including industrial cleaning, adhesive removal, degreasing, paint and coating removal, and others. The molecule (N,N-dimethyl-9-decenamide), marketed as Steposol MET-10U, is the first…

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Demonstration of a new CO2-methanation process

The first phase of a study on the feasibility of producing methane from CO2 has been completed by Hitachi Zosen Corp. (Tokyo; www.hitachizosen.co.jp) and Daiki Ataka Engineering Co. (Daiki Ataka) a subsidy of Hitachi Zosen, in collaboration with PTT Exploring…

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The launch of a new bioethylene-production process

Last month, a new bioethanol-dehydration process was introduced by its developers Axens (www.axens.net), IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN; both Rueil-Malmaison, France; www.ifpen.fr) and Total Refining & Chemicals (Brussels, Belgium; www.totalrefiningchemicals.com). Tradenamed Atol, the process is said to be the most profitable…

Covered lagoons treat wastewater and make biogas, too

The world’s first installation of the so-called Cohral technology — deploying a covered lagoon for anaerobic wastewater treatment — was completed last March at Oakey Abattoir Pty Ltd. in the farming region of Darling Downs, in southern Queensland, Australia. The…