Bulk Chemicals

Recovery of organic and inorganic chemicals from wastewater. Residual water is recycled through Anti-Solvent Crystallization (ASC), Chemical Dewatering (ChD), Reactive Extraction (Rx), or Eutectic Freeze Crystallization (EFC). This extraction process eliminates secondary and tertiary pollution and the need for a landfill. Recycling water also reduces the amount of freshwater needed for the process. These processes are more efficient than traditional evaporators and address corrosion. 

Gas-liquid contactor-reactor. This reactor can be used for gas absorption, effluent treatment, and chemical reactions in processes involving catalysts (oxidation hydrogenation, carbonylation, and hydroformylation). Conventional gas-liquid contacting devices have lower efficiency due to low gas hold-ups, back-mixing, and less safety. This new design is simple, compact, and flexible, requiring less power and a smaller operating volume. It is also scalable without losing efficiency. Reaction rates are controllable, and the lack of moving parts ensures safer working conditions. 

Performance additive that enables asphalt recycling. This additive enables the high-end reuse of recycled asphalt. It improves resource efficiency by reducing the need for new aggregates and bitumen. The additive is derived from crude tail oil (CTO), which is a biobased raw byproduct from the paper industry. This product is resistant to harsh weather conditions and has high performance throughout its durable life. The product also does not release harmful components during production and application.

Filtering mercury and dioxin emissions. This technology reduces mercury and dioxin emissions from coal-fired power plants. It reduces effluent mercury levels by over 95% while maintaining the ash fly air retention properties. This technology is non-hazardous and landfill-safe. It is also scalable, as it can be implemented as a stand-alone solution or a part of a multi-pollutant treatment approach. 
 

Sustainable, closed-loop metal recycling process. The AquaRefining™ process is a clean, water-based recycling process for ultra-high purity lead. The process opeartes at room-temperature in a closed-loop and is nonpolluting. The closed-loop system enables the recycling of chemicals and water. This process yields products with higher quality and lower costs and reduces greenhouse gas emisisons by eliminating the smelting process. Recycling metals will lower the reliance on unsafe and toxic mining operations.

Enzymes that prevent contaminants, or stickies, from agglomerating and interfering with recycling, pulp, and paper machine operations. Stickies downgrade quality, reduce output, and cost the pulp and paper industry tens of millions of dollars annually. Optimyze® prevents stickies from agglomerating and interfering with recycling, pulp, and paper machine operations, reducing downtime, producing packing with improved quality, and increasing profits. This technology uses an esterase enzyme that serves as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of stickies into poly, a water-soluble polymer.

Flexible foam derived from soybean oil. Polyols are the key ingredient in making foams flexible and versatile. BiOH® polyols are soy-based ingredients for flexible foam in furniture, mattresses, pillows, and cushions. Traditional foams are derived from petroleum-based products. These polyols also have superior performance. The process occurs in mild temperatures and atmospheric pressure and is energy efficient and cost-effective. Using BiOH® technology, customers are able to create foam products with renewable content ranging from 5 to 20%.

Catalysts for the production of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is generally clean and environmentally friendly, but its conventional production is not. The conventional production of hydrogen peroxide uses several toxic reagents. This novel method uses a metal catalyst, NxCat, to produce hydrogen peroxide directly from oxygen and hydrogen gases and only produces water as a byproduct. The process is also cost-effective and less energy-intensive. The catalyst is also manufactured from safe and renewable feedstocks.

Production of propylene oxide via hydrogen peroxide. Propylene oxide (PO) is a chemical building block for detergents, polyurethanes, de-icers, food additives, and personal care items. The traditional production of PO creates byproducts and significant waste. This novel route produces PO with hydrogen peroxide by using a catalyst, eliminating most of the waste and significantly reducing water and energy use. The production of wastewater is reduced by 70-80%, and energy use is reduced by 35%. This process has high yields and only produces water as a byproduct.

Enzyme that modifies wood composition and increases its capacity for becoming strong and quality paper. Paper strength is traditionally improved by using more expensive pulps, more energy, and different chemical additives. Maximyze® uses natural enzymes from fermentation. These enzymes modify cellulose to create more sites for hydrogen bonding, which translates into more fibrils that bind the wood fibers together. This technology reduces the need for high-cost materials and other methods.