An artificial intelligence (AI)-based search tool allowed workers to quickly mine historical data to improve operations and respond to emerging problems At the Bayer Crop Science facility in Muttenz, Switzerland, managers and workers wanted to improve communication during shift handovers…
Consider the potential for stem seal leakage when selecting a valve Experienced process control engineers follow familiar, time-tested steps when presented with a new system to design and specify. Selecting a control valve for a process always requires the same…
The destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) presents unique issues in wastewater treatment, as these substances are persistent in many treatment environments, and PFAS-laden purification media is challenging to dispose of. Now, InEnTec Inc. (Richland, Wash.; www.inentec.com) says that…
The Valve World Conference & Expo (www.valveworldexpo.com) is being held December 3–5 in Düsseldorf, Germany. One of the world’s largest events for industrial valve technologies, this year’s Valve World boasts nearly 400 exhibitors covering the full spectrum of the industry.…
Significant sustainability benefits can be gained through optimization in steam-cracking furnaces. The study detailed here shows the specific decarbonization strategies that can help improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions The chemical process industries (CPI) rely heavily on steam cracking to…
Striving to make products and processes safer, more efficient, more sustainable, more economical and more environmentally friendly has long been the goal of research and applied scientists and engineers. For the past 28 years, new and innovative “green” chemistry technologies…
Because of their excellent mechanical properties, light weight and biodegradability, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are attractive materials for next-generation reinforced biomaterials and bioplastics. However, the method for separating cellulose to make CNF, known as fibrillation, is energy-intensive, which limits applications for…
The solvent N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) has been used to coat anodes and cathodes in lithium-ion batteries, but it has been shown to be a reproductive toxin, necessitating controlled handling and recycling within a closed system, which adds complexity and cost to…
The electrolytes used in nearly all lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries are carbonate-based, which makes them flammable and prone to degradation mechanisms, including side reactions, which can result in gas evolution and the formation of undesirable chemicals like hydrogen fluoride. A…
Electrifying industrial heat Calectra (Oakland, Calif.; www.calectra.com) has received $1.6 million in pre-seed funding and $400,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Government and New York State to support its work on decarbonizing industrial process heat. Heavy industrial processes, like…