Chemicals that keep drinking water flowing may also cause fouling

Chemicals that keep drinking water flowing may also cause fouling

Many cities drinking water systems add softening agents to keep plumbing free of pipe-clogging mineral build-up. According to new research from the University of Illinois, these additives may amplify the risk of pathogen release into drinking water by weakening the grip that bacteria – like those responsible for Legionnaires’ disease – have on pipe interiors. Biofilms, which are similar to the films that grow on the glass of fish tanks, are present in almost all plumbing systems and anchor themselves to mineral scale build-ups in pipes. They are teeming with harmless microbial life and incidents of waterborne illness are rare. Read More

Cooking oil coating prevents bacteria on food processing equipment

Many foods produced on an industrial scale include raw ingredients mixed together in enormous stainless-steel machines that can be difficult to clean. With repeated use, equipment surfaces get minute scratches and grooves, providing bacteria and biofilms the perfect place to hide. While surface scratches may appear small to the naked eye, they are like a canyon to bacteria, which are only a few micrometers in size. Surface-trapped food residue and bacteria then increase the risk of contamination from microorganisms such as Salmonella, ListeriaandE. coli. Read More

 

Researchers discover chemical reaction that uses a surprising molecule

For more than a decade in the middle of the 20th century, chemists debated exactly what carbocations — molecules with a positively charged carbon atom — looked like. What is known as the “classical view,” which was taught at the beginning of that century, stated that the carbon in these molecules held the charge; the “non-classical view” held that the charge could also be shared by other nearby atoms. Both theory and experiment eventually proved that non-classical carbocations existed, and the debate faded away. Even if these structures exist, most chemists believed, they had no practical relevance. Read More

Reliance to sell entire stake in Cambay Basin to Sun Petrochemicals

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) said it has agreed to sell its entire 70 percent stake Gujarat’s Cambay Basin block to Dilip Shanghvi-promoted Sun Petrochemicals Pvt Ltd (Sun Oil and Natural Gas) for an undisclosed amount, reported Mint. Reliance has a 70 percent participating interest in the oil and gas block CB-ONN-2003/1 (also called CB-10) while BP India holds the balance 30 percent. “RIL signed a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Sun Petro to farm out its 70 percent interest in the block. The application for assignment has been submitted to the Government of India for approval,” RIL said in a presentation to analysts. Read More

Reverse Osmosis: Water Treatment Process

Reverse Osmosis: Water Treatment Process

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water purification methodology that removes ions, molecules and other larger particles from drinking water using a semipermeable membrane. The process of removing salt from seawater or desalination is done by reverse osmosis. History of Reverse osmosis: The process of Reverse Osmosis by using semipermeable membrane was observed first in 1748 by a French clergyman and physicist Jean Antoine Nollet. University of California at Los Angeles was the first to investigate in 1950, desalination of seawater using semipermeable membranes. Read More

FMC rebrands lithium business as Livent Corporation

FMC Corporation (FMC) said that it will rebrand its lithium materials business as Livent Corporation (pronounced lye-vent) following the previously announced plan to separate FMC Lithium into a publicly traded company.  Livent Corporation is one of only a small number of companies with the capability, reputation, and know-how to produce high-performance lithium compounds that are helping meet the growing demand for lithium. Pierre Brondeau, FMC Corporation CEO and chairman is expected to serve as chairman of the board of Livent following the separation and will continue to lead FMC Corporation as CEO and chairman. Read More

Trinseo celebrates 10 years of Lomax technology at Georgia plant

Trinseo is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Lomax technology at its plant in Dalton, Georgia. The plant runs largely on alternative energy, significantly reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to manufacturing process of Lomax Technology. Lomax Technology uses methane gas collected from a nearby landfill as the primary energy source to manufacture Trinseo’s latex binders. The methane is piped to a landfill gas energy recovery facility and then to the Trinseo plant, where the energy is used to power the plant’s boiler. This virtually eliminates the need for natural gas. Read More

 

Stork renews integrated operations contract with Ecopetrol

Stork, part of Fluor Corporation’s diversified services segment was awarded a 5-year contract renewal by Ecopetrol SA. To operate and maintain its surface facilities on the Cusiana and Cupiagua gas fields in Colombia. These facilities process 30 percent of the Colombian industrial and domestic gas consumption. Stork will provide integrated operations and maintenance services to the gas compression facilities and the power generation systems until 2023. In addition, Stork will plan and execute the overhauls of the Ecopetrol turbomachinery and related equipment during this timeframe. Read More

Material made from crab shells, trees could replace plastic packaging

Material made from crab shells, trees could replace plastic packaging

From liquid laundry detergent packaged in cardboard to compostable plastic cups, consumer products these days are increasingly promoting their sustainable and renewable origins. Now researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created a material derived from crab shells and tree fibres that has the potential to replace the flexible plastic packaging used to keep food fresh. The new material, which is described in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, is made by spraying multiple layers of chitin from crab shells and cellulose from trees to form a flexible film similar to plastic packaging film. Read More

Acidic oceans cause fish to lose their sense of smell

Fish are losing their sense of smell because of increasingly acidic oceans caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, new research shows. When carbon dioxide is absorbed by seawater carbonic acid is formed, making the water more acidic. Since the Industrial Revolution, oceanic CO2 has risen by 43 percent and is predicted to be two and a half times current levels by the end of this century. Fish use their sense of smell (olfaction) to find food, safe habitats, avoid predators, recognize each other and find suitable spawning grounds. A reduction in their ability to smell therefore can compromise these essential functions for their survival. Read More

Petron to expand Limay refinery with Honeywell UOP technologies

Petron Corporation said that it will expand and upgrade its Limay, Bataan refinery in the Philippines with technologies from Honeywell UOP. When the project is completed, the refinery will produce 75,000 barrels per day of refined fuels and 1 million tons per annum of aromatics, increasing its capacity by 55 percent. Honeywell UOP will provide the basic engineering design, licensing and services for a condensate fractionation unit, naphtha hydrotreater, and UOP CCR Platforming, Sulfolane, LPG and kerosene Merox and distillate Unionfining units. These technologies will enable Petron to meet growing domestic demand for motor fuels by upgrading 100,000 barrels per day of condensates and light crude oils to aromatics and automotive fuels. Read More

Total to acquire two gas power plants in France

Total SA to acquire two gas-fired combined cycle power plants (CCGT) in the North and East of France from KKR-Energas. This represents an electricity generation capacity of approximately 825 megawatts (MW). Through its 73 percent stake in Direct Energie, Total also has 800 MW of capacity in two power plants of 400 MW each in France and in Belgium. The development of another 400 MW plant is planned in the Brittany region. Total has an objective of achieving 15 percent share of the B2C gas and electricity supply market in France and Belgium within 5 years. Read More

Living solar cells produce energy, even in bad weather

Living solar cells produce energy, even in bad weather

When it comes to generating energy from sunlight, unusual solutions have been shown to make the process more efficient. Now, a team of researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has demonstrated how solar cells made of living organisms can generate energy even with limited sunlight. Known as “biogenic” solar cells, these cells could offer an alternative to synthetic cells currently used in conventional solar panels, providing an energy source despite bad weather. A paper detailing the research was published in the journal Small. In the past, researchers have developed biogenic solar cells by extracting natural dyes that bacteria use to generate energy in photosynthesis. Read More

Honeywell technology to help Indian Oil meet new clean fuel standards

Honeywell (HON) said that the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has chosen Honeywell UOP’s pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology to supply high-quality hydrogen at five of its refineries. Hydrogen is essential to the refining process, where it is used to decontaminate oil and facilitate catalytic processes that produce clean-burning fuels, including those that meet the Indian government’s strict Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) environmental standards. Under the terms of the agreement, Honeywell UOP will provide new PSA units to IOCL refineries at Gujarat, Panipat, and Mathura, and will upgrade existing hydrogen plants with UOP’s Polybed PSA technology at refineries in Haldia, Guwahati and Gujarat. Read More

BASF unveils new generation of fluid catalytic cracking catalysts

BASF SE has launched Fourte, which represents a new generation of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts for gasoil feedstock. Fourte is based on BASF’s new multiple framework topology (MFT) technology offering and has been optimized to deliver superior selectivity to butylenes while maintaining catalyst activity, which helps refineries maximize their profits. BASF’s innovative MFT technology enhances performance through the use of more than one framework topology that work together to tailor the catalyst selectivity profile. Successful evaluations of the new MFT technology have demonstrated Fourte’s ability to help maximize margins and provide operating flexibility to make more butylenes to feed the alkylation unit. Read More

DSM, APK cooperate on recycling multilayer food packaging films

Royal DSM together with APK AG are leading the way in taking the next step to increase the sustainable benefits of multilayer food packaging films. Beyond the primary function of reducing food waste, the products are now also recyclable via APK’s new recycling route. Headquartered Sin Merseburg, Germany, APK produces high-quality plastic recycle reclaimed from post-consumer and production sources. APK’s core technology is its Newcycling process, a solvent-based technique that makes it possible to recover from complex mixtures and multi-layer composites (so-called multilayer barrier packaging) high-quality re-granulates with properties close to virgin plastics. Read More

Chemistry of fear!

Chemistry of fear!

It’s 12’O clock in midnight! You are alone and watching television in home! Suddenly the front door and windows are thrown against the door frame! You reached the front door to close it and it’s very dark out side!Doors and windows fasten up flopping! In the same time some horror scene coming in television! Then suddenly, Your breath speedup and started shivering! Your heart beat rose! Your muscles tighten! Your body got wet with sweat! After these incidents in your brain some emotion is running and because of that you tensed a lot! A few second later you realized that there is nothing outside, its just wind. Read More

ADM to acquire vanilla premium originator, Rodelle

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has reached an agreement to acquire Rodelle Inc, a premium originator, processor and supplier of vanilla products. Rodelle, founded in 1936 and based in Fort Collins, Colorado, originates, processes and sells premium vanilla products, including organic and traditional extracts, beans, alcohol-free flavour and paste. The company also sells non-vanilla products, including flavourings, extracts, spice blends and organic spices. Rodelle provides ingredient solutions to major food and beverage makers, as well as directly to consumers, with a premium retail brand that can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores in North America. Read More

ExxonMobil increases estimate for Stabroek block to 4 bn barrels

ExxonMobil has increased its estimate of the discovered recoverable resources for the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. To more than 4 billion oil-equivalent barrels and has advanced its evaluation to support a third phase of development and consideration of two additional phases. The increase follows completion of testing at the Liza-5 appraisal well, a discovery at Ranger, incorporation of the eighth discovery, Longtail, into the Turbot area evaluation and completion of the Pacora discovery evaluation. The previous recoverable resource estimate was 3.2 billion oil-equivalent barrels. Read More

 

Praxair starts up new air separation plants to supply CNOOC

Praxair Inc has started up two new air separation plants to supply China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The two plants, each with 2,400 tonnes per day of oxygen capacity, are supplying on-site oxygen and nitrogen to CNOOC to support the company’s refinery expansion and related downstream chemical production. With the start-up of the two new plants, Praxair is now operating a 5,600 tonnes per day production complex, made up of four air separation units. These units are serving a total of nine customers in the Huizhou Daya Bay Chemical Industrial Park, located in Huizhou, Guangdong, China, including the CNOOC and Shell petrochemical complex. Read More

Lava flows to affect geothermal power generation in Hawaii

Lava flows to affect geothermal power generation in Hawaii

A report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) states that the Lava flows from the Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii led to the shutdown of the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) power plant on May 3, 2018. The 38-megawatt (MW) facility is the only geothermal plant on the island, and it produced about 29 percent of the island’s electricity generation in 2017. The plant voluntarily ceased operations ahead of the approaching lava flow. Continuing eruptions in lower Puna, the south-eastern corner of the island, have damaged transmission lines and equipment, and local residences are experiencing extended power outages. Read More

Platform Specialty to sell Arysta, renames as Element Solutions

Platform Specialty Products Corporation (PAH) has signed a definitive agreement to sell its agricultural solutions business, to UPL Corporation Ltd for $4.2 billion cash. The agricultural solutions consist of Arysta LifeScience Inc and its subsidiaries (collectively Arysta). The transaction is expected to close in late 2018 or early 2019. Platform also announced a planned name change and pro forma financial guidance. Platform plans to change its name to Element Solutions Inc (Element Solutions) effective at closing of the Arysta transaction. Element Solutions expects to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NYSE: ESI. Read More

Honeywell’s new non-flammable refrigerant with low global warming potential

Honeywell (HON) unveiled Solstice N41 (provisional R-466A), a non-flammable and lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant for use in stationary air conditioning systems. Once on the market, Solstice N41 will be the lowest GWP, nonflammable, R-410A replacement refrigerant available worldwide. The refrigerant received a provisional number and a preliminary A1 designation from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), a key milestone needed to bring the product to market. The innovation comes after years of research and development by Honeywell scientists who set out to address one of the most vexing regulatory and safety challenges facing the HVAC industry. Read More

An Ultimate Guide on Diamond

History and Etymology: In 4^th century BC, diamonds were first discovered and mined in India. Diamondin India had been known for at least 3000 years but 6000 years most likely. Diamonds popularity got increased since 19^th century after its increase in supply, improved polishing and cutting techniques. In 327 BC, Alexander brought first diamond to Europe from India. French scientist Antoine Lavoisier in 1772 showed that the only product of the combustion of Diamond is Carbon dioxides, hence proving that diamond compose of only carbon. Later on chemist Smithson Tennant in 1797, repeated and expanded the experiment and demonstrated that diamond and graphite releases same amount of gas. Read More

Introducing first hydro lubricant for gears

Introducing first hydro lubricant for gears

Kluber Lubrication with the new hydro lubricants has succeeded in developing homogeneous lubricants using water as a functional constituent, thus making use of the positive effects of water. This approach offers important benefits both in terms of lubricant performance and sustainability. The high-performance lubricant Klubersustain GW 0-460 for industrial gears is the first product from the innovative Hydro Lubricant series. Klübersustain GW 0-460 has been developed especially for high-speed spur, bevel and planetary gears, as its low foaming tendency ensures uninterrupted operation of components. Read More

 

New vertical cartridge filter for industrial dust collection

Schenck Process introduced the new vertical cartridge filter (VCF) that removes industrial dust while incorporating a unique design for handling medium to high air volumes. The new dust collector comes equipped with many time and cost savings features. An easy-to-use cartridge clamp system simplifies replacement of the filter media minimizing maintenance time and lowering overall cost of operation. The filter is also equipped with a smart timer which includes an onboard sensor. This helps in reduced compressed air consumption and greater cartridge life.Read More

Engine coolant formulated for pavement track use

Evans Cooling Systems Inc announced the release of Evans TrackWater, designed specifically for pavement racing applications where glycol-based fluids are not allowed. As an authority in engine cooling and creator of the only line of waterless coolants, Evans developed TrackWater coolant with superior corrosion protection and surface tension reduction to provide excellent performance for demanding road racing conditions. The waterless coolants are formulated to continue protecting engines even as temperatures increase. The coolant eliminates corrosion and the stresses of vapour pressure. Read More

 

Rising demand for corrosion resistance in auto industry

Corrosion issues in automotive industry: The Indian automotive industry is growing manifolds. In the next five years, there is an estimate of having 5 million new vehicles on the road. With high end vehicles, there is a demand for longer life shelf of the vehicle. Hence the demand for corrosion resistance in vehicles is increasing. Corrosion technology for automotive industry has new challenges with rising pollution levels, multi-metal technology, new environmental norms, advent of electric vehicle systems, etc. These factors play a major role in the making of next generation high end corrosion protection solutions. Read More

Massive diamond cache detected deep in Earth’s interior

Massive diamond cache detected deep in Earth’s interior

There may be more than a quadrillion tons of diamond hidden in the Earth’s interior, according to a new study from MIT and other universities. But the new results are unlikely to set off a diamond rush. The scientists estimate the precious minerals are buried more than 100 miles below the surface, far deeper than any drilling expedition has ever reached. The ultradeep cache may be scattered within cratonic roots — the oldest and most immovable sections of rock that lie beneath the centre of most continental tectonic plates. Read more

 

Corrosion, excess load caused Andheri bridge collapse: Report

Corrosion of steel brackets and piling of additional weight by the Brihanumbai Municipal Corporation led to the partial collapse of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) in Mumbai earlier this month, according to a railway probe report. The preliminary inquiry report by Sushil Chandra, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Western Circle, attributed the mishap to “failure of Railway staff and others” A press note issued by the CRS’ office said the probe found that civic officials allowed extra load on the bridge in the form of various cables, sand, paver blocks and other materials, without the approval of Western Railway (WR). Read more

 

Finding greener crudes

India is the third-largest oil consuming nation in the world. Is the country feeling the heat of crude imports? Is it time already to look for better alternates to meet our energy demands?  The oil & gas industry is undoubtedly the lifeline of any economy and the slightest fluctuation can have some of the biggest repercussions to various other industries dependent on it. India is the third-largest oil consuming nation in the world and the fourth-largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importer after Japan, South Korea and China. India is expected to be one of the largest contributors to non-OECD petroleum consumption growth globally. Read more

 

India asks Oman to cut customs duties on chemical products

India has asked Oman to cut customs duties on chemical products like dyes to provide greater market access for its goods in that country, the commerce ministry said. Reduction of duties on items like dyes, inorganic and organic chemicals, agrochemicals, cosmetics, glazed ceramic articles, aluminium alloys and tyres used in buses will provide better market access, it said in a statement. “India requested for reduction in customs tariff on Indian chemical products exported to Oman, which is about 5 per cent,” the ministry said. Read more

 

 

Venator to acquire Tronox European paper laminates business

Venator to acquire Tronox European paper laminates business

Venator Materials PLC (VNTR) has reached an agreement to purchase the European paper laminates business (the 8120 Grade) from Tronox Limited (Tronox). In connection with the acquisition, Tronox will supply the 8120 Grade to Venator under a transitional supply agreement until the transfer of the manufacturing of the 8120 Grade to Venator’s Greatham, UK, facility has been complete. Separately, Venator and Tronox have entered into an agreement to engage in exclusive negotiations until 29 September 2018, regarding the purchase of the Ashtabula, Ohio, complex by Venator currently owned by The National Titanium Dioxide Company Limited (Cristal) for $1.1 billion. Read more

 

Covestro plans €100 million film expansion globally

Covestro AG plans to significantly expand its global film production to meet the growing demand in all regions. In particular, capacity expansions are planned at Map Ta Phut, Thailand, Guangzhou, China, South Deerfield, USA, and Dormagen, Germany. The total investment of more than 100 million euros also includes the expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics. According to current planning, over 100 new jobs will be created worldwide for the operation of the new plants. The high-quality semi-finished products are used in the automotive, medical technology and security card industries, amongst others. Read more

 

Borealis to acquire Austrian plastic recycler Ecoplast

Borealis AG has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 100 percent shares in Ecoplast Kunststoffrecycling GmbH (Ecoplast), an Austrian plastics recycler. Based in Wildon, Austria, Ecoplast processes around 35 000 tonnes of post-consumer plastic waste from households and industrial consumers every year, turning them into high-quality LDPE and HDPE recyclates, primarily but not exclusively for the plastic film market.  “It is a logical next step for us to expand our mechanical recycling capabilities, which are key to our sustainability and circular economy efforts. Borealis wants to be a provider for circular economy plastic solutions and we see Ecoplast as an important complement to mtm in Germany. Read more

 

Asia Dyestuff Industry Federation appoints new chairman

Asia Dyestuff Industry Federation (ADIF) has appointed Janak Mehtaas its next chairman, for a tenure of five years. He was previously president for the Dyestuffs Manufacturers Association of India (DMAI). ADIF is an industry body representing dyestuffs, pigments, optical brighteners and dyes intermediates manufacturers. This announcement marks the establishment of the India chapter for the Federation and coincides with the centenary celebrations of China Dyestuff industry. ADIF also appointed four vice chairmen from DMAI and DMAI’s executive secretary was officially designated as the deputy secretary general for ADIF. Read more

Everything you need to know about transporting chemicals

Everything you need to know about transporting chemicals

It should go without saying, but transporting chemicals is a risky business. Even if all you’re trying to move is a set of household cleaners, the government has strict regulations as to where and how it can be transported. Below is a list of seven requirements that you should keep in mind the next time you attempt to transport chemicals. By Abby Drexler: 1. You Most Likely Can’t Use UPS, FedEx, or the USPS-All three of those companies are listed as “general-service” shipping companies, which means they specialize in shipping everything under the sun. Read More

Food, healthcare industries to drive industrial gases market

Industrial gases also referred to as bulk gases or commodity gases. are produced in large quantities for use in a variety of industrial manufacturing processes. The industrial gas industry comprises manufacturers of industrial organic and inorganic gases in compressed, liquid, and solid forms, according to a report by The Business Research Company. The global industrial gas market is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.44% between 2017 and 2021. This growth is being driven by global economic growth, particularly in emerging economies, and by the increased use of gas in the food and beverages and healthcare industries. Read More

Archroma, Ternua collaborate on recycling nutshell waste into fashion

Archroma has collaborated with Ternua, an outdoor brand with a strong connection to nature. Ternua has partnered with Archroma, and its EarthColors patented technology, to create a capsule collection of recycled tee-shirts and sweatshirts, collecting, recycling and upcycling agricultural waste from the Basque region in Spain after food consumption. Archroma’s award-winning EarthColors is a traceable concept of plant-based dyes, sourced from up to 100 percent renewable resources. Archroma developed EarthColors using non-edible waste products, from agriculture and herbal industries, to replace petroleum-derived raw materials. Read More

Pidilite unveils new adhesive manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka

Pidilite Lanka Pvt Ltd, a JV between Pidilite Industriesand Macbertan Pvt Ltd has unveiled a new state-of-the-art adhesive manufacturing plant in Polgahawela, Sri Lanka. Pidilite Lanka has earmarked over Rs. 200 million as an investment towards the plant. Spread over four acres, the plant will further strengthen Pidilite’s position in the adhesive market in Sri Lanka and enhance its market share. This will be an environment-friendly plant with zero-discharge. Pidilite, one of Asia’s leading adhesive and construction chemical companies began its journey in Sri Lanka 10 years ago and today, Sri Lanka is one of Pidilite’s key global contributors. Read More