Chemical Manufacturing News

The safety of chemicals is a substantial issue that continues to receive extensive coverage in the popular press. Concerns over the health effects of bisphenol-A (BPA), controversy over nanocompounds, and chemicals released from fracking in the natural gas industry are just a few of the headlines that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In an effort to address chemical safety and provide more effective and efficient methods for evaluating chemicals, three U.S. government agencies are now collaborating on a new program to test 10,000 chemicals. The new protocols for testing will not only validate existing data regarding chemical safety, but they will also enable more rapid testing of new chemicals, speeding the understanding of their health and environmental effects.

Modular quick-release couplings designed for applications in research and development, and laboratories and universities, for an easy connection to all plumbing services such as circuits of gas, air, vacuum, nitrogen. Visit us here to learn more.

Tate Andale strainers still operate 40, 50, even 60 years after installation. Our customers count on our strainers' durability and this is why so many of the world's leading industrial companies choose Tate Andale. Since 1924, Tate products have been proudly made in the USA. You can count on them.

There's nothing simple about calculating the SIL ratings of functional safety systems. At United Electric Controls, we understand. That's why all of our One Series electronic switches include FMEDA and SIL Verification reports available on UEonline.com, making calculations easier. No "prior use" guesswork; just the data.

New All-Safe™DRM — Diaphragm Rupture Management provides safe fluid handling for your staff and plant/facility — vital when pumping hazardous or corrosive media. Providing two layers of protection, an early warning sensor, and a critical leak detection sensor, the All-Safe™DRM can be configured to trigger alarms and/or pump shut off.

Distillation trays are used in a variety of processes, and selecting the right tray can be tricky. The mechanical properties of trays coupled with their use in processing must be considered in order to make the right choice. Learn more about selecting the right distillation tray and find out how you can improve operations by balancing mechanics and process issues.

Alternative energy resource development is important for business and regional development. Even though many plant operators recognize the need for alternative energy in their operations, practical implementation can be a substantial undertaking. A recent article published in Plant Services provides some practical advice for integrating alternative energy sources in your operations.

Ethanol produced from corn is relatively cheap to produce, but has sparked some controversy (see video). Biofuels produced from wood (cellulosic ethanol) have been proposed to replace corn-based ethanol within several years. At present, wood-based ethanol is more expensive to produce, but creates fewer greenhouse gas emissions when burned. In addition, wood-based biofuel does not utilize valuable food resources for manufacture, and cellulose is the most abundant polymer on the planet.

Even though scientists have for years attempted to create affordable solar energy solutions, "affordable solar energy" has remained somewhat of an oxymoron. However, a recent review of the industry suggests that this trend may be changing. The technology used in solar panels has been improved and the costs have decreased as much as 70% since 2009. Could a solar power revolution be on the horizon?

MIDAC Corporation has developed a fast, highly sensitive FTIR spectrometer to simultaneously measure both contaminant concentrations at very low levels and process gases at very high levels. MIDAC systems have earned a reputation for ruggedness, reliability, and proven low maintenance in installations around the world.

Meet the world's smallest, lightest, most robust benchtop FTIR. The Agilent Cary 630 FTIR weighs just 3.8 kg (8 lbs) and is only 17.1 cm (6.75 in.) tall. Yet it packs a powerful one-two punch of precision and productivity. Innovative sampling accessories provide flexibility and productivity for lowest operating cost.

GIG Karasek has developed the POWERFILM™ Rotor Technology to dramatically increase performance for wiped film evaporator, short path evaporator, thin film evaporator, or vacuum molecular distillation processes at lower capital investment. This technology is available immediately with every InCon and GIG Karasek System. To learn more, visit us here.

The AMI Silica from Swan Analytical USA is today's solution for online continuous measuring of silica in feedwater, steam, condensate, and make-up water. With a measuring range of up to 5,000 ppb, the AMI Silica offers a selectable measuring interval and low reagent consumption. For more information, please visit us here.

Imagine washing your clothes without a washing machine. Thanks to a new cotton fabric developed by Chinese scientists, this may be possible. The new cotton material contains titanium dioxide particles that interact with ordinary sunlight to clean and deodorize the fabric. In order to clean your clothes you would only have to hang them in the sun for several hours.

Silicon has long been the choice for manufacturing electronic gadgets. However, new semiconductors manufactured in unique ways are poised to replace silicon within several years. The new semiconductors offer more efficiency and produce less heat. In addition, these new materials can be processed in a way that makes devices smaller and lighter.

Nanosilver has long been known for its cleansing properties. However, controversy over nanosilver as a potential biohazard has limited its use. A recent ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may herald a new era for nanosilver as the agency now says that nanosilver can be used in pesticides. Approval of nanosilver for use in pesticides indicates that the material is environmentally safe.

Nanoporous materials can be used in a wide variety of applications from water filtration to chemical sensors. Despite their utility, nanoporous materials have been difficult to manufacture…until now. A new manufacturing process known as collective osmotic shock (COS) has been developed to enable the efficient creation of nanoporous materials. COS works by using the power of osmotic forces to alter the structure of starting materials, resulting in the production of nanoporous materials.

DTI has recently developed a range of novel motorized piezoelectric valves. The new piezo valves are divided into three main types depending on their mode of operation. They include a piezoelectric ball valve, a piezoelectric eccentric pinch valve, and a piezoelectric linear pinch valve. Learn more...

Quality Bilt's 60 in. vertical baler far exceeds industry standards — it has the largest feed opening, fastest cycle time, and best warranty in the industry. Quality Bilt's sales staff will assist you in selecting the best vertical baler to fit your specific recycling needs.

View our video.

Despite a recognition that science and math are vital subjects for students to learn and are also vital for the future of the U.S. economy, statistics suggest that college students do not graduate with the science and math skills needed to fill many employment positions. Unfortunately, the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs continues to outpace non-STEM jobs by 3-to-1. Given these numbers, promoting careers in science and math will be essential to economic growth.

In a competition between freight trains and trucks, freight trains would have a competitive advantage because of their overall size. Turns out, freight trains have another important advantage over trucks: fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Although larger in size, freight trains produce fewer carbon dioxide emissions than trucks, making them a more environmentally sound method for shipping freight.

Alternative Energy at Work

What steps has your organization taken to utilize alternative energy resources? Have the changes been helpful for the organization? What else do you believe can be done to improve the use of alternative energy resources in manufacturing operations?

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