Circular economy: Getting in the door of opportunity ahead of a vanishing polymer market
Significant change is coming to the hydrocarbons industry. Up to 43% of the global conventional polymer production expected by 2040 may disappear due to circular economy (CE) initiatives. In addition, due to the growth in wind turbines and solar panels, and in lightweight composite materials in cars and planes, advanced materials waste is just beginning.
Brazilian developments in the biofuels market
Since the 1970s, Brazil has been a world reference in automotive biofuels, especially bioethanol produced from sugarcane. In 1973, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) forced a sharp rise in oil prices, triggering a massive slowdown in the country’s economic growth, which had been going through what was dubbed the “economic miracle,” with growth at an average of 12% of GDP. This study gives an overview of the biofuel sector in Brazil, along with the main business challenges and opportunities in this area.
Can ammonia be a future energy storage solution?
Ammonia is well known as a fertilizer. However, it is also a potential carbon-free fuel and an excellent solution for storage of renewable electricity, especially if the syngas needed for producing the ammonia is made by electrolysis.
Treat toxic, malodorous ethylene spent caustic using WAO technology
Clark, M., Siemens Water Solutions;
Xia, N., Sinoec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Co.
As China’s largest integrated refinery, Sinopec’s Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Co. (ZRCC) plant can process approximately 23 MM metric tpy of crude oil. The plant produces more than 50 fuel and chemical products, including different grades of gasoline, jet and diesel fuels, asphalt and polypropylene plastics, as well as more than 1 MM metric tpy of ethylene. The latter generates spent caustic, one of the world’s most toxic wastewaters.