In The News
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…
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…
This coated silica additive improves adhesive performance
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…
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…
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…
Technip awarded two contracts for a petrochemical complex in Russia
Technip (Paris, France; www.technip.com) was awarded by ZapSibNeftekhim LLC (an affiliate of JSC Sibur Holding) two front-end engineering and design contracts for plants located in Tobolsk, in the Tyumen Region of Russia. The first contract concerns a linear low/high density…