In The News
July Chementator Briefs
ADN production Nylon-polymer producer Invista (Wichita, Kan.; www.invista.com) has developed new technology for the production of adiponitrile (ADN), a key ingredient for nylon 6,6. The advances, which came as a result of $40 million of R&D spending, can improve…
A step closer to replacing platinum in catalytic converters
The research group of Masaru Ogura, an associate professor at the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo (www.u-tokyo.ac.jp), has clarified the degradation mechanism and the role potassium carbonate plays in the catalyst systems used for reducing soot from the…
The quest for a more-efficient gas-fired power generator
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI; Tokyo, Japan; www.mhi.co.jp) will begin developing basic technologies for a triple combined-cycle power-generation system that integrates solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and a gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power generation system. Under the umbrella of the…
Solvay to build bio-based epichlorohydrin plant in China, and more business news
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…
A compact thermal storage system
Theres a growing trend toward generating electricity from biogas (see pp. 15–17), but roughly half of the total energy content of the fuel is released as heat, which is dissipated into the atmosphere unused. To improve the overall efficiency, researchers…
Making carboxylic acids from alkynes and CO2
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…
Making artificial water channels
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…
A treatment process for coal-bed-methane-extraction water
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…
Testing of a new oil-sands-recovery process
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…
Wison wins Puerto la Cruz oil refinery in Venezuela
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…