In The News
January Chementator Briefs
Sludge dewatering Last month, Metso Corp. (Helsinki, Finland; www.metso.com) introduced what it claims to be the worlds first advanced solution — both measurements and control system — to optimize sludge dewatering at wastewater treatment plants. The Metso SDO (sludge…
This catalyst system requires significantly less palladium
A stabilized palladium catalyst system that can be used for making materials for organic solar cells and pharmaceuticals has been developed by the research groups of of Yoichi Yamada at Riken (Wako city; www.riken.jp) and Shigenori Fujikawa at the International…
Bacteria and algae team-up to tackle arsenic-contaminated water
Australian researchers have developed a method of cleaning arsenic out of contaminated water by combining the effects of bacteria and microalgae. Professor Megh Mallavarapu and his team, from the Cooperative Research Center for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment…
Advanced battery electrolytes made with low-cost, high-throughput method
A high-throughput method for synthesizing ionic-liquid-containing electrolytes developed by Boulder Ionics Corp. (Arvada, Colo.; www.boulderionics.com) has been refined to enable its use in commercial production. Boulder Ionics had previously piloted the continuous process for producing advanced ionic-liquid (IL) electrolytes at…
This graphite burner enables on-demand treatment of offgases
Offgases containing compounds of chlorine or fluorine are typically burned to enable the recovery of HCl or HF and prevent release into the environment. However, conventional combustion chambers require a long time to heat up, and thus are typically run…
Bacteria make lactic acid from palm waste
Extraction of palm oil generates large amounts of lignocellulose-rich byproduct known as empty fruit bunch (EFB), which is usually wasted. A new process for utilizing this waste to make lactic acid has been developed by a team of researchers in…
Outotec wins orders in Turkey
Outotec (Espoo, Finland; www.outotec.com) will deliver technology and services worth over €100 million to Cengiz Group for their Mazidagi and Samsun operations in Turkey. The orders include a roasting plant for pyrite concentrates, calcine leaching and solvent extraction plants, copper…
KBR ammonia technology selected for new fertilizer facility in Indiana
KBR (Houston; www.kbr.com) announced today that its leading ammonia process technology has been selected by Midwest Fertilizer Corp. for its new fertilizer manufacturing plant in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. The 2,200 metric ton per day ammonia capacity plant will utilize KBR’s…
Technip wins new ethylene contract in China
Technip (Paris, France; www.technip.com) was awarded by CNOOC Oil & Petrochemicals Company Ltd. a contract to supply its proprietary ethylene technology and process design package for a grassroots 1-million ton/yr ethylene plant in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China.…
Foster Wheeler awarded contract for hydrogen reformers in Vietnam
Foster Wheeler AG (Zug, Switzerland; www.fwc.com) says that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded a contract for two Terrace Wall hydrogen reformers by GS Engineering & Construction Corp., which is acting on behalf of…