In The News
Ionic Liquids Create More Sustainable Processes
The distinctive properties of ionic liquids enable versatility and efficiency across many industrial applications Ionic liquids — salts in a liquid state at ambient conditions — make up a fascinating family of materials whose unique physical properties have made them…
Modeling and Simulation Move Forward
More tools and fresh applications bring modeling and simulation to all facets of chemical processing Modeling and simulation software is becoming not only more powerful, but also more user friendly and affordable, making it a valuable tool for chemical processors…
Nanostructured membrane for water purification
A new composite-membrane distillation process capable of removing salt, toxic elements and microorganisms from water is being offered commercially for the first time this month. The process, known as NanoClear, was developed by Dais Analytic Corp. (Odessa, Fla.; www.daisanalytic.com) for…
Low-cost separation of CO2 from fluegas
A novel solvent can reduce the costs of capturing and recovering carbon dioxide from gas mixtures compared to the use of amine-based solvents, such as monoethanolamine (MEA). The solvent, along with an associated cyclic absorption-desorption process, was developed by Carbon…
Putting more ‘bio’ into biodiesel fuels
Biodiesel fuels are made by the transesterification of plant-derived triglycerides (fats and oils), a process that generates impure glycerin as a byproduct while consuming fossil-fuel-derived methanol. Although there have been efforts in recent years to utilize the large volumes of…
Organomagnesium catalyst isomerizes hydrocarbons
Organomagnesium compounds have become a highly important class of reagents in organic chemistry since the discovery of the Grignard Reaction more than 100 years ago. These compounds are powerful and inexpensive reagents that can be readily prepared from metallic magnesium…
Artificial photosynthesis system demonstrates stability, safety and efficiency
Scientists at the California Institute of Technology’s Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (Caltech JCAP; Pasadena, Calif.; www.caltech.edu) have reported the first system for generating hydrogen gas from water using solar energy that simultaneously achieves high efficiency and oxidative stability along…
A new spin on liquid-gas separation
Last month, Innsep AS (Trondheim; Norway; www.innsep.com) and EagleBurgmann Norway (Skedsmokorset;www.eagleburgmann.no) began a collaboration to develop Innsep’s Lynx Separator technology for protection of EagleBurgmann’s Dry Gas Seal systems for compressors. Lynx is a new technology for removing entrained liquids much…
This filter renders secondhand smoke harmless
A research team, led by Jongsoo Jurng and Gwi-Nam at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (Seoul; www.kist.re.kr), has developed a nano-catalyst filter that can drastically reduce harmful substances in cigarette smoke. The team created the filter by evenly…
Uranium processing plant benefits from modularity
A modular processing system for the Husab uranium mine in Namibia, Southwest Africa, has been designed and developed by Adelaide Control Engineering (ACE; Australia; www.adlcontrol.com.au). The company’s managing director, Glenn Jobling, says innovative technology and advanced modular design have enabled…