Catalysts
Monitoring cyclone reliability in fluid catalytic crackers
The authors’ company has developed a novel approach with a digital algorithm to effectively estimate the current cyclone erosion and predict future erosion based on operating conditions. With this approach, refiners get an automatic way to better predict abrasion lining erosion for both reactors and regenerator cyclones daily from digital analytics, thus helping refiners quantify their monitoring.
LanzaTech signs MLA with SEKISUI to develop multiple commercial-scale waste-to-ethanol plants across Japan
LanzaTech Global has signed a Master License Agreement with SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO. to deploy, at commercial scale, a jointly developed platform that converts syngas derived from municipal solid waste and industrial solid waste into ethanol.
Gevo granted U.S. patent for its novel ethanol-to-olefins process technology
Gevo, Inc. announced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted to Gevo a patent for its ethanol-to-olefins process, focusing on bio-based renewable fuel and chemical production from alcohols.
Zeopore prepares for global production of economical, premium hydrocracking meso-zeolites
Zeopore is initiating discussions with candidate partners to jointly commercialize its unique zeolite mesoporization route. Combining improved hydrocracking (HDC), Zeopore’s optimized HDC zeolites bring 3 wt%-7wt% more middle distillates, depending on feedstock and process conditions.
Catalyst for 'one-step' conversion of methane to methanol
Scientists demonstrate highly selective catalyst for low-temperature, direct conversion of natural gas to liquid fuel.
Utilizing pilot plant operations for new chemical process technology development: A roadmap to scale up success and commercial plant safety
To demonstrate a new chemical process technology (flowsheet, raw materials, product) or improve an existing one, pilot plants are designed and operated at a scale between laboratory benchtop and commercial scale—often with specific goals for operability, product quality, economics and process safety. Identifying where potential safety, technical risks or uncertainties may occur is always a key goal in evaluating a new process.
The purification of benzoic acid using dividing wall columns
In one recent project for a customer based in Asia, the authors’ company suggested the combination of distillation and crystallization techniques to obtain high-quality purified benzoic acid. Encouraged by the successful startup of this processing train, the customer began to schedule a second project. The authors’ company was asked to optimize the purification process to improve cost and operational efficiencies. The two existing columns, which remove lights and heavies, respectively, from the crude benzoic acid feedstock were investigated to identify key opportunities. The feasibility study based on the feed composition confirmed that the existing columns could be converted into a single dividing wall column (DWC).
Utilize a hydrogen reactions lab to optimize renewable fuels processing
Leading technology developers in the refining space are utilizing various catalysts to enhance the adjusted reaction chemistry, but this does not directly address how to optimize hydrogen utilization for the hydrodeoxygenation and isomerization/cracking processing steps. To ensure the right equipment outlay and calibration for these hydrogenation applications, replicating the process in a lab setting can help identify efficiencies and yield improvements for a fraction of the cost that a refiner would incur attempting to achieve that optimization through modifications at commercial scale.
SIBUR might start producing metallocene polyethylene using domestic technology
Russian petrochemical group SIBUR might start using domestic technology developed by the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) in the production of metallocene polyethylene in Nizhnekamsk.
Honeywell UOP and Repsol to collaborate on renewable fuel development
The companies plan to scale and commercialize Honeywell's technologies, which use various wastes like fats, oils, greases, biomass and solids for chemical production and renewable fuels at Repsol’s refineries.
- Brazilian sugarcane processors mulling switch to more ethanol production 5/19
- Fuji Oil cancels Japanese biofuels plant due to high construction costs 5/19
- Italy's Meloni warns EU green policies risk 'industrial desertification' 5/19
- Nuberg EPC, EDL sign technical collaboration agreement across several industries 5/19
- Infinium will deploy Electric Hydrogen’s HYPRPlant at large-scale eFuels facility in Texas (U.S.) 5/19
- Asian petrochemical producers chase ethane gains as margins dwindle 5/19
