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Patented technology captures real-time ‘hyperspectral’ images

The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M; Spain; www.uc3m.es) has patented a new system for capturing hyperspectral images — those capable of collecting information across a broad frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum (near-infrared, mid-infrared and terahertz). The system can…

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Using a ‘green’ oxidizer to degrade Kraft lignin into vanillin

The demand for vanillin vastly outstrips the natural resources of this flavoring agent. A chemical process is thus used to produce the required large quantities of vanillin from petroleum, which is far less expensive than obtaining the substance from fermented…

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Electrolysis of seawater — without pre-treatment

Current electrolyzers for producing hydrogen use purified water as feedstock, but in the future, this could exacerbate freshwater shortages in some areas. Seawater is highly abundant, but the ions it contains undergo electrode side reactions, and cause corrosion in proton-exchange…

Energizing the CPI

The first issue of this publication in September of 1902, then titled Electrochemical Industry, contained this statement from professor C.F. Burgess: “Chemical manufacturing was a number of years ago considered best developed when the processes were so simple that no…

Protect against contamination in mixing processes

The CDA-200 multi-shaft mixer (photo) features a two-wing anchor agitator and two medium-speed agitators, each fit with five rows of three-blade pitched turbines. The mixer can be supplied with two portable stainless-steel mixing vessels and transport covers for semi-continuous operation,…

This seal stops leaks very quickly and holds for hours

RuptureSeal leak-stopping devices (photo) can be easily deployed to form a secure mechanical seal that stops leaks for up to 10 h. This technology is fully functional in just 20 s and is said to be faster and cleaner than…

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Chem Chronicles: The first patent holder in the U.S. was a ‘Pott Ash Maker’

Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford — these are some of the larger-than-life figures who spring to mind when reflecting on the history of innovation and invention in the U.S. But the first person in American history to…

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Facts at your Fingertips: Mixing Intensity in Stirred Tanks

The ability to quantify liquid motion in a stirred tank is a basic step toward understanding how mixing influences process results. Quantifying mixing according to a mixing index (MI) can evaluate and predict mixing intensity related to fluid velocities in…

Incremental Electrification Drives Sustainability

For decarbonization of chemical processing sites, electrification opens a new world of efficiencies and cost benefits The industrial sector is responsible for one-third of the world’s end-use energy consumption, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA; Washington,…

Electrification of Industrial Facilities

Manufacturing complexes may benefit from using more electricity instead of steam and fuel gas for their energy needs. Improved energy efficiency, lower emissions, higher reliability and debottlenecking of utility systems may be achieved Electrification is a popular buzzword when energy…