Every Spring, Equilibar conducts an annual survey of published research articles that cite the use of our technology. It’s inspiring to see the different ways our fluid control devices have helped scientists explore solutions for real-world problems during the past 12 months.
This year, as always, much of the research we found revolves around environmental efforts, especially clean energy. But we also found studies in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing and other important fields.
Our whole team is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on this meaningful work, and we hope you enjoy reading the following summaries, which describe just a small sample of the research our customers are conducting around the world.
And, as always, we hope you will contact our engineers with your challenging fluid control scenario, whether it involves supercritical conditions, multi-phase flow, extreme temperatures and pressures, sanitary requirements, flow chemistry, harsh chemistries or any combination of these factors. They look forward to hearing from you– info@equilibar.com
PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING:
In recent years, pharmaceutical manufacturers have been exploring ways to use continuous flow chemistry rather than batch chemistry because of the efficiency and flexibility it can provide. The study linked below looks at hydrogenation of benzylphenylephrone in continuous flow. Equilibar devices are well suited for pharmaceutical continuous flow systems because they can offer pharmaceutical grade materials combined with superior precision and frictionless control, especially for low flow rates, mixed phase fluids, corrosive media, and extreme temperatures.
LINK: [PDF] Kinetic Investigation of the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Benzylphenylephrone in Continuous Flow
CANNABINOID RESEARCH:
As diverse therapeutic properties of the cannabis plant become better known, more scientists are identifying and studying them. This experiment looks at catalytic hydrogenation as a cost-effective and viable way to access phytocannabinoids—the naturally occurring compounds in the plant. As in the benzylphenylephrone study, this investigation uses a continuous flow process. Researchers were from Australia and Brazil.
A CLEANER CHEMICAL INDUSTRY USING METHANOL
Finding practical ways to reduce the quantity of fossil fuels used by the chemical industry is an ongoing area of research. This study out of Germany focuses on designing and setting up a compact and mobile methanol synthesis mini-plant to make methanol from hydrogen and CO2. The goal is to replace traditional fossil resources with the relatively greener methanol. An Equilibar back pressure regulator provided pressure regulation for the mini-plant.
HYDROGEN ENERGY VIA SUPERCRITICAL WATER GASIFICATION
This study explores a method to make hydrogen—which can be used as an alternative fuel–by using supercritical water gasification (SCWG) combined with a steam reforming process. Equilibar devices are well suited for SCWG research because they can be customized using materials designed for the high pressures and high temperatures involved in this extremely challenging process.
WASTE TO ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
This study out of Finland focuses on waste-to-energy technology, yet another approach to reducing the use of fossil fuels. Specifically, it looks at improved ways to use biomass—organic material from plants and animals—to make fuel, including diesel and bioethanol. Biomass energy resources are the third largest renewable energy source in the world. As the study explains: “Currently, biomass gasification to generate synthesis gas (H2/CO) followed by high performance catalytic reaction to generate methanol and higher alcohols (HA) has become an emerging waste-to-energy technology for producing additives to transportation fuels and chemicals.”
BIOMASS CONVERSION VIA HYDROTHERMAL LIQUEFACTION
Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is another technology used to convert biomass to fuels and other useful substances. This study out of the United States focuses on optimizing the process, which involves supercritical states. Since HTL operates under such extremely high temperatures and pressures, Equilibar is a good solution to provide accurate and reliable pressure control.
MORE WASTE-TO-ENERGY: METHANE FROM SLUDGE
This study by UK researchers focuses on the intermittent nature of using biological waste to manufacture methane. It involves adjusting the controlled pressurization of the reactor headspace to provide more time for a culture to respond. Because they offer ultra-low pressure control without exhibiting over-pressure behavior, Equilibar devices are a favorite for many researchers working with reactor headspace pressure control.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
In the future, geothermal energy, which utilizes heat from the Earth’s core, is expected to be an important source for green energy that is not dependent on cloud cover, wind and other weather-related factors. Geothermal energy from supercritical sources offers advantages due to its relatively low power cost. “This paper considers production from hot reservoirs, inspired by deep wells near magmatic areas as attempted, among others, by the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP). The IDDP-1 well proved that production close to magma was possible….The case is relevant for supercritical geothermal reservoirs with high temperature and pressure, where silica content is significant and deposition occurs rapidly upon depressurization.” Of note is that an Equilibar ultra high temperature device (rated up to 413 bar and 500 °C) was used as a pressure-reducing regulator for this application. While the Equilibar® valve is inherently a back-pressure regulator, it can be used as a pressure reducing regulator by varying the pilot pressure in response to a downstream pressure measurement. Equilibar regulators excel in pressure-reducing applications that push far beyond the limits of conventional regulators and control valves. This includes ultra-high and ultra-low differential pressures, conditions prone to cavitation, aggressive chemistries, mixed-phase or rapidly changing phases, solids and particulates, and applications requiring exceptionally wide turndown ratios.
