Article Abstract:
Cargill-Dow Polymers LLC will begin to process corn-derived plastics whose properties are allegedly better than those from hydrocarbon polymers. Cargill-Dow's plant in Blair, NE, will process 40,000 bushels/d of ground corn into 300 million lb/yr of polymer to be used as textile fiber and packaging film. In the process, which the firm calls NatureWorks, dextrose is fermented to lactic acid. Water content is removed by boiling and the acid is transformed into a lactide, which is then purified by distillation.
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Article Abstract:
ATG Inc has developed another process to remediate low-level radioactive and mixed wastes. The process, called molten salt oxidation, destroys chlorinated and halogenated wastes. ATG will commercialize the process under a $4 million, four-year development contract with the Dept of Energy's Oakland, CA, office. The process is composed of a bath of molten sodium carbonate heated at about 1,200-1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. Hazardous waste is added to the bath and then decomposed to form harmless salts.
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Article Abstract:
Air Products and Chemicals Inc is leading a consortia that is developing a pressure-swing adsorption system for recovering important components from polyefin-plant vent streams and petroleum refinery gases and a hydrogenation system using a fixed-bed reactor. The energy-saving projects are sponsored by the Dept of Energy under cost-sharing contracts with the industry. The total cost of the 3-yr project is expected to be $25 million.
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