In The News
Rare-earth magnets enhance filtration of engine lubricants
FilterMag International (Scottsdale, Ariz.; www.filtermag.com) has developed neodymium magnetic devices that can boost the performance of lubricant filters for mining vehicles and industrial machinery. When the device is in place, filters retain 50–75% of contaminant particles that would otherwise be…
A sorption-enhanced catalyst improves CO2 methanation
Converting CO2 into methane is a way to mimic the natural carbon cycle and close the energy cycle by producing synthetic hydrocarbons (see, for example, CO2 Utilization, Chem. Eng., July 2013, pp. 16–19). However, the Sabatier reaction (CO2 + 4H2…
Honeywell to expand refrigerant production in Louisiana, and more business news
Plant Watch Arkema to double production capacity for organic peroxides in China January 9, 2014 — Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) has announced the construction of a new organic peroxide plant on its Changshu site in China. This investment will double…
February Chementator Briefs
Cellulose nanocrystals New research from Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.; www.purdue.edu) has shed some light on the physical properties of cellulose nanocrystals. The nanocrystals, which are about 3-nm wide and 500-nm long, have historically been difficult to analyze, but…
Optimized carbon-adsorbent material for natural gas storage
Techniques for manufacturing carbon adsorbent materials with highly tuned pore properties have been developed by EnerG2 Technologies Inc. (Seattle, Wash.; www.energ2.com). The technology platform produces carbon adsorbents that enable the storage of natural gas at significantly lower pressures than those…
Solazyme: Commercial production of Renewable Algal Oils at Iowa facilities
Solazyme, Inc.(San Francisco, Calif.; www.solazyme.com) says that commercial operations have commenced at both Archer Daniels Midland Co.’s (ADM) Clinton, Iowa facility, and the downstream companion facility operated by American Natural Products in Galva, Iowa (ANP). Highlighting the flexibility of Solazyme’s technology…
The first Outotec TankCell e500 to be delivered to First Quantum Minerals
To address the market demand of increased capacity and volume Outotec Oyj (Espoo, Finland; www.outotec.com) has developed the mega-size flotation cell based on its well-established technologies. The first TankCell e500 flotation cell will be installed to First Quantum Minerals' Kevitsa…
Praxair signs long-term supply agreement in Brazil
Praxair, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.; www.praxair.com) has signed a long-term contract to supply industrial gases to a new steel mill being built near the Port of Pecém in an international free trade zone in the state of Ceara, located in the…
BASF and Sinopec break ground on world-scale INA plant in Maoming
BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec; Shanghai, China; www.sinopec.com) broke ground today on the construction of its world-scale isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Maoming, China. At start-up in 2015, the…
Praxair signs long-term contract and expands enclave supply in South Korea
Praxair, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.; www.praxair.com) has signed a long-term contract with Taewoong Steel Co. Ltd. to supply high-purity oxygen to the company’s steel mill facility in Busan, Korea. Praxair will construct a new 180-ton/d air separation plant and pipeline in…