Chemical Processing - October 2007 - (Page 14)

>> IN PROCESS What steps have been taken this year to increase physical security at your site? Please select all that apply. 40 Responses (%) 30 20 10 0 Parking lots relocated away from buildings Surveillance cameras installed New fencing or barriers installed around perimeter New fencing or barriers installed around process or storage units Other digit ppm levels, he expects, with a hoped for reproducibility of a couple of percent. Field trials for monitoring multiple pollutants should begin within two years, with commercialization of the devices in around five years, the researchers hope. The technology isn’t limited to chemicals’ detection. Indeed, it has promise for medical diagnostics. Work already has started on functionalizing surfaces with enzymes to allow monitoring of antibody concentration, says Brand. Polymer offers twist on hydrogen storage Polymers that inefficiently fill space may efficiently store hydrogen, hope researchers in the U.K. Professors Neil McKeown of Cardiff University, Peter Budd of the University of Manchester and David Book of the University of Birmingham are developing so-called polymers of intrinsic microporosity that can hold hydrogen by physisorption and then release the gas by raising the temperature above -196°C (77K) or reducing pressure. There should be no limit to the number of store/ release cycles, says McKeown, although impurities in the H2 might eventually block the micropores. The polymer has advantages over other solids now being investigated for storing H2 (see www.ChemicalProcessing. com/industrynews/2007/024.html), he explains. “Reversibility of hydrogen uptake and release is the major benefit for materials that work using physisorption such as these polymers. The current front-runner is probably metal hydrides but these are heavy and need to be heated to release H2. In addition, the amount of heat given off during refueling would present a massive heat exchange problem.” “The porosity arises from the rigid and contorted molecular structure of the polymers so that they pack space inefficiently and leave molecular-sized gaps between the polymer chains,” explains McKeown. Polymers developed so far hold around 3% H2 by weight. “The porosity is only around 0.4 ml/g with a surface area of around 1,000 m2/g. We would need to double or even triple the amount of adsorbed H2 to be of practical use but we have only looked at a handful of polymers so far.” The researchers aim to synthesize polymers that have even more difficulty filling space. “Also, we think that certain type of physical processing might improve the amount of microporosity,” adds McKeown. “We are aiming to hit 6% H2 mass loading within two years.” “While it’s too early to peg potential cost, he notes that polymers generally can be made cheaply in bulk. CP www.chemicalprocessing.com Better perimeter security has received the most attention this year, say respondents. To participate in this month’s poll, go to ChemicalProcessing.com. Long Lasting Won’t Rust or Corrode Avoid Down Tme Save on Maintenance 15-Year Shell Warranty Not Harmed by H2O Chemical Treatments Delta Cooling Towers designed the first engineered plastic (polyethylene) cooling tower in 1971. Since then we’ve improved and expanded “The Most Durable Corrosion-Proof Cooling Towers Available” to a full line, factory assembled and ready for any application. Visit us at www.deltacooling.com, or call 1.800.289.3358. The Greatest Thing Since a Delta Cooling Tower. 14 • October 2007 http://ChemicalProcessing.com http://www.deltacooling.com http://www.deltacooling.com http://www.chemicalprocessing.com

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Chemical Processing - October 2007 Contents From the Editor ChemicalProcessing.com Field Notes In Process Energy Saver Compliance Advisor Biofeedstocks See Real Growth Become a Cyber-Security Pacesetter Go Beyond Condition Monitoring Disposable Equipment Earns Lasting Role Improve Control Loop Performance Ethanol Plant Boosts Output and Saves Energy Process Puzzler Plant InSites Equipment & Services Ad Lits Product Spotlight/Classifieds Ad Index End Point

Chemical Processing - October 2007

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