Petrochemicals

NDSU scientists have developed plant oil-based reactive diluents for coating and composite applications that possess both low viscosity and high reactive functionality. With these improved characteristics these plant oil-based materials eliminate or reduce the need to be blended with petrochemicals thereby increasing the bio-based content of the product which is environmentally more desirable. The fundamental aspect of the invention involves transesterification of a plant oil triglyceride with an alcohol that also contains at least one double bond.

The major commodity chemical 12-propanediol (also known as 12-PD or propylene glycol) is used in certain resins laundry detergents pharmaceuticals cosmetics and antifreeze. More than a billion pounds of the compound are produced annually in the United States. Conventionally made from petrochemicals and involving several toxic compounds and large quantities of water 12-PD can be produced more sustainably from glycerin. Using microorganisms capable of secreting the compound from sugar is an even more environmentally responsible alternative.

Background: Succinate is presently manufactured in an expensive process from petrochemicals. Though researchers have previously managed to produce succinate using metabolic pathways none of these methods have approached the product yield of nonrenewable sources. As a result petroleum-based production methods – dependent upon fluctuations in oil prices - have dominated the market. Technology Description: This invention is a process that reconstructs the metabolic pathways of a modified E. coli strain to increase production yields of succinate.

Techase has developed a Special Multi-plate Screw Press which is adaptable to deal with sludge from a variety of industries such as petro chemistry paper amyloid chemical blue-green algae pectin wastewater inorganic material and so on. For instance if the filter press is to be used to dewater sludge contaminated with blue-green algae it is fitted with special shafts for the algae and special flocculants.

Background: This invention relates to systems and methods for the production of linear and branched-chain hydrocarbons such as triterpenes. In particular the invention relates to transgenic plants for use in the production of triterpenes as an alternative source for biofuels and petrochemicals. Technology Description: Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds and triterpenes are one type of terpenes consisting of six isoprene units and having the molecular formula C30H48. Linear branched-chain triterpenes have direct commercial value in numerous fields.

In response to the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico University of Pittsburgh investigators have developed a technique for separating oil from water via a cotton filter coated with a chemical that blocks oil while allowing water to pass through. The filter was successfully tested off the coast of Louisiana and shown to simultaneously clean water and recover the oil.

A carbon nanotube-infused filtration membrane for higher throughput filtration of oil-containing wastewater. The structure of the membrane reduces fouling and increases mechanical strength thereby increasing filter lifespan and and enabling cheaper wastewater filtration. The membrane has application in industries needing to manage the disposal of oil-water emulsions such as oil fields metallurgical pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.

Technology Description: This remarkable smart material represents a low-cost environmentally friendly solution for any industry that needs to separate oil and water in a controlled manner. Inspired by the natural ability of fish scales to repel oil innovators at KAUST have developed smart surfaces that can alternately attract and repel oil in an aqueous solution. The smart surfaces are made by grafting a block copolymer onto common low-cost porous materials such as non-woven textiles and polyurethane sponges. The surface can switch between repelling oil/attracting water and vice versa.

Achieving energy conservation of a group of industrial installations in petrochemical complex, through analysis of heat generation and consumption patterns and optimization of heat recovery and usage, including optimization of steam generation level, recovery and utilization of low pressure steam and hot water, heat transfer between plants..

Background: Nearly all blue indigo dye produced today is produced synthetically mostly from petroleum. Indigo itself is a water-insoluble compound and is typically treated with a reducing agent to produce an unstable water-soluble intermediate. The most common reducing agents have many limitations (e.g. are unstable; can destroy the dye; are required in excess quantities; and are environmentally unfriendly). Also the quantity and variety of indigo precursors that can be produced through current natural biological pathways are limited.