The new KFU8-SR-EX* (photo) is a universal powered switch amplifier that can be used in intrinsically safe applications and functional safety installations up to safety integrity level (SIL)2. The new KFU8 device can be supplied with 19 to 30 V…
Perovskite materials have great potential as a lightweight and low-cost option for solar panels, but in the past have not been seen as stable or durable enough for widespread use in large-scale solar-power installations. Now, a new coating developed by…
Recovering valuable metals, such as cobalt and nickel, from used lithium-ion batteries is emerging as a key capability because of anticipated high battery demand and material shortages. Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, Calif.; www.lbl.gov) have developed a technology…
Plant Watch Arlanxeo starts up new polybutadiene production line in Brazil February 14, 2023 — Arlanxeo B.V. (Maastricht, the Netherlands; www.arlanxeo.com) opened a new polybutadiene production line in Brazil. The new production line supplements Arlanxeo’s existing production capacity in Brazil…
From headsets to gloves to fabric sensors, technologies that can be worn on the body are providing many new benefits for plant workers Apace with innovations in all “smart” technologies, wearable devices for industrial personnel are rapidly evolving to incorporate…
By minimizing, or even eliminating, the need for blowdowns in steam systems, precoat filter demineralizer systems can greatly contribute to water-conservation efforts Steam is essential in any chemical process plant, primarily for generating heat and power. Power generation (the largest…
The production of substitute (or synthetic) natural gas (SNG) by methanation of CO2 with hydrogen is energy intensive and also requires a purification step to remove the byproduct water and remaining reactants. To address these issues, researchers at The Swiss…
When searching for catalysts for the energy transition, materials consisting of at least five elements — so-called high-entropy alloys (HEAs) — are considered highly promising. But to find the right combination of elements and composition ratios needed for the best…
The new Series PI (photo) is a variable-area flowmeter that utilizes a spring-loaded piston. The fluid flow in the application causes this piston to move along the axis of a precision-tapered shaft, creating a variable orifice in direct proportion to…
The Rosemount 3408 level transmitter (photo) is a non-contacting radar device designed to optimize ease-of-use, leading to increased safety and enhanced plant performance. While the benefits of radar level measurement are widely acknowledged, the company says radars are still sometimes…