In The News
Chementator: This composite combines the unique properties of two new forms of carbon
Of all known materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have the highest thermal conductivity and mechanical strength as well as the ability to withstand the highest electric-current density, making them an attractive material for electric wiring, heat dissipation, field electron emission, and…
Shell Global Solutions licenses technology to SARC
Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (The Hague, Netherlands; www.shell.com/home/content/globalsolutions-en) and South Atlantic Refinery Company S.A. (SARC) recently signed an agreement to license technology for SARC’s new greenfield refinery, planned to start up in Aracaju in the Sergipe region of Brazil…
Chementator: Halogenated activated carbon reduces mercury emissions from a coal-fired plant
In its first full-scale test on a coal-fired power plant, halogenated activated carbon (AC) made by ADA-ES, Inc. (Littleton, Colo.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-537) has reduced mercury emissions by more than 90%. The significance of the results is that the plant burns western…
Chementator: A platinum-free catalytic converter
Nippon Steel Materials Co., Ltd. (NSM; Tokyo, Japan; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-538) has developed a new catalyst for combustion engines that contains 70% less precious metals than conventional catalytic converters. The catalyst is expected to not only lead to lower costs, but also…
Chementator: Switchgrass to syngas
Although theoretically promising 80% more energy than is required to grow and convert to cellulosic ethanol, switchgrass has proven to be a difficult fuel source to break down cost effectively. With $1 million from the U.S. Depts. of Agriculture (USDA)…
Chementator: Sugar-beet pulp may cut the cost of biodegradable plastic
Sugar-beet processors in the U.S. generate approximately 40 million tons of fiber-rich sugar-beet pulp every year as a byproduct of sucrose extraction. Most of it is used as livestock feed or in pet food. Researchers with the U.S. Agricultural Research…
Economic Indicators: Business News
Mergers and Acquisitions Siemens acquires Chemitreat Group to expand water-treatment technology March 3, 2008 — Siemens announced that it has acquired the Singapore-based private limited Chemitreat Group to expand the water-treatment business in South East Asia. Chemitreat will become part…
Chementator: Nanozeolites
In cooperation with several universities, Clariant International Ltd. (Muttenz, Switzerland; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-543) has developed a process to manufacture high-quality nano-sized zeolite L (Linde Type L) in technical quantities. This new range of nano-scale aluminosilicates, tradenamed Lucidot, open up a new range…
Chementator: A new polymer set for a commercial launch
Polyglycolic acid (PGA) has good properties: a very high gas impermeability, even under 80% humidity; biodegrability; high mechanical strength; and good moldability, which makes it a promising polymer for applications such as medical devices and barrier films. But up to…
Chementator: Nanomaterial filters and recycles water
A new nanomaterial which doubles as a filter and a reactor capable of destroying unwanted substances, has been developed by a team from Nanyang Technological University (NTU; Singapore; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7371-544), and the Singapore Public Utilities Board. The material consists of nanosized…