The research groups of professor Yasuyuki Tsuji and assistant professor Tetsuaki Fujihara at Kyoto University (Japan; www.ehcc.kyoto-u.ac.jp) have developed a copper-catalyzed reaction for synthesizing carboxylic acids, such as acrylic acid, using carbon dioxide as a raw material. The reaction involves…
A group of scientists from Fudan University (Shanghai, China; www.fudan.ac.cn) China, has reported what it claims to be the first example of artificial single-molecular water channels that can transport water across lipid membranes. Transmembrane water transport — through water channel…
In the development process for coal-bed methane, water is produced from wells. It is high-salinity water, with total dissolved solids (TDS) generally at least 1,000 mg/L. The main concern with coal-bed methane co-produced water is the amount of Na+ and…
A consortium of companies — Laricina Energy Ltd., Nexen Inc., Suncor Energy Inc. and Harris Corp. — has completed its initial-phase testing of the Enhanced Solvent Extraction Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating (ESEIEH) project at Suncors Steepbank mine facility north of Fort…
A recently launched, polymer-coated, fumed silica additive improves the performance of structural adhesives — those designed to bear loads. The new additive is capable of reducing the adhesive’s application viscosity, while simultaneously improving its ability to maintain a bead profile…
Plant Watch Solvay to build bio-based epichlorohydrin plant in China June 11, 2012 — Solvay S.A. (Brussels, Belgium; www.solvay.com) says its Thai affiliate Vinythai will build an epichlorohydrin plant in Taixing, China. The plant, with an initial capacity of 100,000…
There might be as many categories of catalysts as there are chemical processing applications. And, no matter what the specialty or application, most catalyst producers are in a constant state of research and development in order to meet the demands…
Technology originally developed for dewatering algae has shown success in separating hydrocarbons from produced water that results from oil and gas drilling. The method could be used in treating produced water for onsite re-use as hydraulic fracturing fluid. To harvest…
Wison Engineering Ltd. (Shanghai, China; www.wison.com ), China’s largest private sector chemical engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) service provider, has been officially awarded an EPC contract by PDVSA Petroleo, S.A. (PDVSA), Venezuela’s state-run oil company, at the Puerto la Cruz…
Kobe Steel, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan; www.kobelco.com) says it will establish two 100% owned companies in July, one in Europe and the other in the Middle East, to expand the global marketing and servicing of its compressors. Kobelco Machinery Europe GmbH…