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Abstract: Halogen-free flame-retarded rosin-based rigid PIR foam nanocomposites have been successfully prepared by in-situ polymerization, which were based on renewable rosin polyester polyol, halogen-free flame retardants (such as expandable graphite and diethyl ethylphosphonate) and organically-modified nanoclay (such as organically-modified montmorillonite or organically-modified layered double hydroxide). The morphology, thermal conductivity, mechanical property, thermal stability, flame retardancy and fire behavior of PIR foam nanocomposites were comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, potential synergistic effect between organically-modified nanoclay and flame retardants on improving the flame retardancy and fire behavior of rosin-based rigid PIR foam has been investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies confirmed that exfoliated structure of OMMT or OLDH in PIR-FR45-OMMT2.0 or PIR-FR45-OLDH3.0 nanocomposite. The flammability and compressive strength tests showed that PIR-FR45-OMMT2.0 and PIR-FR45-OLDH3.0 nanocomposites possessed significantly improved flame retardancy and slightly enhanced mechanical property compared with neat PIR foam. At the same time, PIR-FR45-OMMT2.0 and PIR-FR45-OLDH3.0 nanocomposites possessed relatively low thermal conductivity, which can meet requirement of engineering applications as insulating material. Furthermore, commonly OMMT showed no synergistic effect with flame retardants when dealing with fire behavior. However, OLDH showed synergistic effect with flame retardants on improving the flame retardancy and fire behavior of rosin-based rigid PIR foam. The reason is that OLDH can promote the formation of reinforced char layer, provide an effective barrier against heat and oxygen, release noncombustible gases, and simultaneously effectively suppress smoke and gases during the combustion process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: Clomazone is a popular herbicide used on California rice fields and exhibits rapid anaerobic microbial degradation ( t1/2 = 7.9 days). To test the potential of direct and indirect photolytic degradation as a cofactor in the overall degradation rate, sacrificial time-series microcosms were amended with water, non-sterilized soil + water and sterilized soil + water. Clomazone was added to each microcosm, which was then exposed to natural and artificial sunlight over 35 days. Water and acetonitrile extracts were analyzed for clomazone and metabolites via LC/MS/MS. RESULTS: The calculated pseudo-first-order degradation rate constants ( k) were kwater = 0-0.005 ± 0.003 day−1, ksterile = 0-0.005 ± 0.003 day−1 and knon−sterile = 0.010 ± 0.002-0.044 ± 0.007 day−1, depending on light type. The formation of ring-open clomazone, a microbial metabolite, correlated with clomazone degradation. Trace amounts of 5-hydroxyclomazone ( m/ z = 256 → 125), aromatic hydroxyclomazone ( m/ z = 256 → 141) and an unknown product ( m/ z = 268 → 125) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The photolytic degradation rate depends on both light type and the quality of the chromophores that induce indirect photolysis. Microbial degradation was found to be sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Overall, microbes are shown to be more detrimental to the environmental fate of clomazone than photolysis. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Fusarium head blight caused by Gibberella zeae is an important disease of wheat and barley because it reduces grain yield and quality and results in the contamination of grain with mycotoxins. Recent studies have shown that carbendazim resistance in field strains of G. zeae is not caused by mutation of the β-tubulin gene (β1 tub), which is the case with other filamentous fungi, but that fungicide resistance is greatly increased by deletion of β1 tub. The aim of the present study was to clarify the function of β1 tub and its role in carbendazim resistance in G. zeae by artificial gene operation. RESULTS: Deletion of β1 tub reduced vegetative growth and pathogenicity but increased asexual reproduction in G. zeae. All the mutants were more resistant to carbendazim than parent strains. A three-dimensional model of β1 tub was constructed, and the possible carbendazim binding site was analysed. CONCLUSION: β1 tub is not an essential gene in G. zeae, but it affects the sensitivity of the fungus to carbendazim. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Considerable attention has been paid to plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), especially the fluorescent group of Pseudomonas species, as the best alternatives to chemicals for facilitating ecofriendly biological control of soil- and seedborne microorganisms. On the basis of their novel plant-growth-promoting attributes, two rhizobacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa VP1 and VP2 selected out of over 63 isolates from the rhizosphere of chilli ( Capsicum annuum) were identified as potential candidates for biocontrol of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on chilli. RESULTS: The nematicidal activity of both strains was evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their efficacy against M. incognita. P. aeruginosa VP2 exhibited strong nematicidal activity in comparison with VP1, based on the in vitro killing of the second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita. Seed bacterisation with both strains VP1 and VP2 was able to manage root-knot M. incognita on chilli ( C. annuum) in a pot trial study. Increase in root and shoot length and in fresh and dry weight of root and shoot and reduction in the root-knot index over the control were attained. In overall performance, VP2 was 29.5% more effective than VP1, and about 30% more effective than the control (non-bacterised). CONCLUSION: The application of P. aeruginosa VP1 and P. aeruginosa VP2 controls the development of M. incognita in C. annuum, and hence they are recommended as efficient plant growth promotors and biocontrolling agents for raising healthy crop of C. annuum that can promote the growth of plants and reduce the nematode ( M. incognita) population. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bemisia tabaci, the sweetpotato whitefly, is a globally invasive pest that causes serious agricultural damage by transmitting plant viruses. This pest forms a cryptic species complex that displays morphologically indistinguishable biotypes. Among them, the B and Q biotypes are the most important pests worldwide. Because they have different levels of insecticide resistance, these biotypes must be identified in order to achieve proper pest control. Therefore, a convenient, rapid and specific detection method for identifying the two biotypes is necessary. RESULTS: Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was employed for rapid identification of B. tabaci B and Q biotypes. By combining a quick DNA extraction method, identification of the two biotypes was achieved within 1 h of detection time. The LAMP assay was applied to study the dynamics of B. tabaci biotypes both in the field and in greenhouses. It was found that, while temperature may be important for population dynamics of the whitefly in the field, population dynamics in greenhouse conditions may be influenced by the types of insecticide. CONCLUSION: The newly designed LAMP assay is a simple, rapid and accurate method for identifying the B and Q biotypes. It can be conducted by non-specialists and can contribute to pest management. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept 'green adjuvants' is difficult to define. This paper formulates an answer based on two approaches. Starting from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) definition for green chemistry, production-based and environmental-impact-based definitions for green adjuvants are proposed. According to the production-based approach, adjuvants are defined as green if they are manufactured using renewable raw materials as much as possible while making efficient use of energy, preferably renewable energy. According to the environmental impact approach, adjuvants are defined as green (1) if they have a low human and environmental impact, (2) if they do not increase active ingredient environmental mobility and/or toxicity to humans and non-target organisms, (3) if they do not increase the exposure to these active substances and (4) if they lower the impact of formulated pesticides by enhancing the performance of active ingredients, thus potentially lowering the required dosage of active ingredients. Based on both approaches, a tentative definition for 'green adjuvants' is given, and future research and legislation directions are set out. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactide (PLA), a biodegradable polymer obtained from biomass, was formulated with a nucleating agent, talc, and a plasticizer, acetyl tributyl citrate, and cold crystallized in α and α′ form. The barrier properties of crystallized PLA were investigated as a function of the formulation and the crystalline form, thanks to three molecules with increasing polymer interactions, i.e. helium, oxygen and ethyl acetate (EA). Contrary to expectation, the oxygen diffusion coefficient in neat and formulated PLA did not decrease with crystallization. Even an increase of the diffusion coefficient was noticed for the most interacting probe, EA, in formulated PLA. Conditioning of neat and formulated PLA in an atmosphere containing EA vapour caused a modification of the material structure by plasticization and induced crystallization even at small EA activities. The plasticizing effect caused the glass transition temperature Tg to shift to below ambient temperature. In the case of neat PLA induced crystallization in solely the α form was obtained, and in the case of formulated PLA a blend of α and α′ forms was observed. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of carboxylic acid amide (CAA)-fungicide-resistant Plasmopara viticola populations is becoming a serious problem in the control of grapevine downy mildew worldwide. RESULTS: The authors have developed a method, which utilises PCR-RFLP, for the rapid detection of resistance to the CAA fungicide mandipropamid in P. viticola populations. With this method, a glycine-to-serine substitution at codon 1105 of the cellulose synthase gene PvCesA3 of CAA-fungicide-resistant P. viticola was easily detected, although no resistant P. viticola was detected from 398 isolates in Japan. CONCLUSION: It is proposed that the PCR-RFLP method is a reliable tool for the rapid detection of CAA-fungicide-resistant P. viticola isolates. Only 4 h was required from the sampling of symptoms to the phenotyping of fungicide resistance. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current processing study seeks to improve operations for the direct and reverse flotation of apatite originating from carbonatically-affiliated rocks to obtain an apatite concentrate in accordance with the phosphoric acid industry specifications. The direct flotation of apatite was carried out in two flotation phases, rougher and cleaner. The aim of direct flotation was to generate a product to feed the reverse flotation circuit of apatite. Reverse flotation was performed in three stages (rougher, cleaner and recleaner) and at pH 5.0, using phosphoric acid (H3PO4) as an apatite depressor. Summing up, the results of reverse flotation tests pointed out apatite recovery, which shows that the specific reagents used favored system selectivity. It was possible to obtain an apatite concentrate with 38.11% of P2O5, 50.98% of CaO, 1.07% of Fe2O3, 0.67% of MgO and ratio CaO/ P2O5 of 1.34 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chemical enterprises are often challenged with efficiently assessing their operational staffing levels. Unbalanced and inadequate manning levels might be financially adversarial and may even lead to (minor and major) accidents. This paper provides a framework and a roadmap to assist chemical plants in assessing and evaluating their operational staffing levels. The approach can be implemented within the entire organization or within a part thereof (i.e., a business unit or an installation). As a part of the suggested approach, an instrument is provided for evaluating operational staffing levels as they currently exist within a chemical company, business unit, or installation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite legal regulations limiting emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including dioxins, to the environment, they still constitute a significant component of environmental contamination. They are released in large amounts during various processes of combustion in industry, the management of refuse materials and also as a result of situations that are partially beyond our control, like fires, explosions and damage in chemical industries. Observations originating from various studies prove that exposure to dioxins results in multiple toxic effects on humans and experimental animals. Among the various disorders caused by dioxins are abnormalities in dentition. The effects of dioxin may last long after exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of several kinds of chemical processing methods on the morphology, crystalline content and thermal stability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated. Chemical processing can prevent the agglomerate of MWCNTs and improve their dispersion state. Amine functionalization further changes the surface property of MWCNTs and enhances their distribution. Quantitative analysis of the crystalline content of MWCNTs was performed by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The WAXD patterns were deconvoluted into the crystalline diffraction peaks and the amorphous scattering peaks. The introduction of the correction factor of the integral intensity can enhance the computational accuracy of the crystalline content. Chemical processing is beneficial to improve the crystalline content of MWCNTs and enhance their intrinsic thermal decomposition resistance ability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper gives energy and material flow models of hydrogen production via steam reforming of methane in the U.S. Chemical Industry. Two energy flow models are used to describe the allocation of energy among process end-uses. First, an energy end-use model is given, which was created based on actual operating data. Next, a representative material flow model is given on a national scale based on federal data on merchant hydrogen production. The last step is the energy process-step model, which was developed based on the steps described in the material flow model. Finally, the energy process-step model results are cross checked with the values found in the energy end-use model to justify that the selected representative hydrogen production material flow model does characterize the overall picture of hydrogen generation in the U.S. Chemical Industry. Results show the energy allocation among process steps in the form of steam, fuel and electricity. The major federal database to construct energy flow models is published once in four years. During the course of this study, the most recent U.S. federal energy database available was for the year 1998. Currently, the most recent available U.S. federal energy database is given for the year 2002. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a natural antioxidant, and nowadays its application has been distributed in medicine, food processing and cosmetic chemical industry. However, at a certain extent its application was restricted because of its only water solubility but no liposolubility. In this research, CGA is prepared from South-China honeysuckle and modified, undergoing efficient conjugation with lauroyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) in non-water phase, to yield the adduct that has been identified as chlorogenic laurate (CGL) from its chromatographic behavior and spectral characteristics. The scavenging and antioxidant properties of CGL were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, including 2, 2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, reducing power, inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid and ferrous ions chelating activity. In the above six assays, CGL showed antioxidant potential to varying degrees in a concentration-dependent manner, and exhibited more antioxidant potency than CGA. Especially, the EC50 value of CGL in scavenging abilities on DPPH radicals was 70.5μg/ml. The hydroxyl radicals scavenging compared with α-tocopherol was observed to high value in CGL. The antioxidant activity of CGL is not significantly different from BHT in a linoleic acid system. All the evaluations exhibited appreciable antioxidant potential for CGL. The data suggest that the modified CGA, CGL, may have a preventive effect against oxidation in liposoluble system, and would be a promising antioxidant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The UK Health and Safety Executive’s Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID) has specialist inspectors who make up a team that support the assessment and inspection of major hazard chemical sites covered by the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH). This paper describes preparatory groundwork for the development of a practical holistic model to help key stakeholders (inspectors, chemical companies) understand how human factors, safety management systems and wider organisational issues fit together. The process was to break down the three areas into simpler components (taxonomy) and to use these smaller components as building blocks in an integrated reconstruction. To guide the reconstruction for the major hazard context, the taxonomy was used to analyse a small sample of major chemical accidents. The results were used to look for logical patterns of associations which could form a basis from which to develop further guiding principles of integration. The idea is that, once identified, the patterns can be used in the applied contexts of inspection and auditing. If the patterns can be found in practice they can be used to identify weaknesses that could initiate major accidents. Similarly, the patterns can be used to understand accident causation during accident investigations. The paper describes the key concepts and the development process. The proposed model derived during this work has not yet been validated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conversion, yield, selectivity, and catalyst consumption are among the key targets of chemical reactions in general and are particularly important for industrial application of reactions since they are the measure of overall reaction efficiency. Biphasic systems are commonly applied in the chemical industry, especially in catalytic reactions. Because of the number of physically important parameters and their interdependencies, it is difficult to predict thermodynamic conversion and yield for biphasic systems. The results of this work allow the prediction of the maximum conversion as well as the yield of any catalyzed biphasic reaction. Analytical solutions for both conversion and yield as a function of substrate ratio, phase volume ratio, equilibrium constant, and partition coefficients are given. General trends and interdependencies of the parameters of interest are discussed. The theoretical considerations are compared to experimental results. Even though simplifications were applied, the predictions fit well with the experimental outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Increasing global competition and shareholder pressure are causing major changes in the chemical industry. Over the last decade companies have been continuously improving staff efficiency. As a result, most modern chemical plants can be regarded as lean. Plans to further reduce the number of staff have come under increasing criticism by personnel for safety reasons, and there is strong resistance to further staff reductions. It is clear that management and workers often have conflicting viewpoints for more than just safety reasons; technologists and safety engineers also have different points of view. This results in complex decision-making processes and makes it difficult to realize changes. What can the chemical industries learn from their experiences of decision-making and management with regard to staff reductions? In our exploratory research that used four case studies, we were able to identify and analyse three distinct patterns, with some variations: [•] Fragmented and incomplete decision-making. [•] Unintended and undesirable side effects generated by the decision-making and management of change. [•] Development of difficult dilemmas and ambiguous issues. In this paper, we present a conceptual model that includes factors important for optimizing shifts. This model can serve as a common frame of reference for all agents involved in the decision-making and management process with regard to staffing. The present study was based on four cases, which means our findings serve to form rather than test hypotheses. At this early stage it is not yet possible to generalize from or validate the results, but we plan to go beyond these preliminary results in future research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A preliminary bottom-up analysis of the energy use in the chemical industry has been performed, using a model containing datasets on production processes for 52 of the most important bulk chemicals as well as production volumes for these chemicals. The processes analysed are shown to cover between 70% and 100% of the total energy use in the chemical sector. Energy use and the heat effects of the reactions taking place are separately quantified. The processes are also compared with energetically-ideal processes following the stoichometric reactions. The comparison shows that there is significant room for process improvements, both in the direction of more selective processes and in the direction of further energy-savings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Throughout history, humans have gathered in groups for social, religious, and industrial purposes. As the conglomeration of people interact, a set of underlying values, beliefs, and principles begins to develop that serve to guide behavior within the group. These “guidelines” are commonly referred to as the group culture. Modern-day organizations, including corporations, have developed their own unique cultures derived from the diversity of the organizational interests and the background of the employees. Safety culture, a sub-set of organizational culture, has been a major focus in recent years. This is especially true in the chemical industry due to the series of preventable, safety-related disasters that occurred in the late seventies and eighties. Some of the most notable disasters, during this time period, occurred at Bhopal, Flixborough, and Seveso. However, current events, like the September 11th terrorist attacks and the disintegration of the Columbia shuttle, have caused an assessment of safety culture in a variety of other organizations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A reliable reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for simultaneous determination of p-benzoquinone dioxime (BQD) and its related impurity p-nitrosophenol (NSP). Separation was achieved on a Kromasil C 18 column by using methanol-water-NH 4 Ac-NH 3 solution (pH=7.0, 50 mM) (30/50/20, v/v/v) as the mobile phase, and detection was operated by UV absorption at a wavelength of 305 nm. The method was seen to have good linearity, accuracy, and precision for the concentration range and to be an attractive choice for the quality control of BQD for industrial use. Moreover, the HPLC-UV-vis fingerprint of BQD has been established, and successfully applied to quality control of industrial BQD in laboratories of some rubber factories in China. Chromatographic fingerprints of intermediates would become an effective strategy for accelerating the progress of fine chemical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In October 2003, the European Commission produced its first draft of its new chemicals legislation, known as REACH. At its core, REACH will require producers and users of chemical substances to register any use in a volume-triggered system. Mandatory submission of chemical assessment reports containing information on the hazards, exposures and risks associated with the uses of the chemical substances will be reviewed by government appointed expert committees. The marketing of substances considered to be of very high concern will require authorisation. This paper analyses issues related to the architecture of the proposed REACH regulation in light of its origins, drivers, its impacts on businesses and possible unintended consequences on other industries outside the chemical industry. Since the design of REACH reflects a range of different sources, goals and ideas, a number of its provisions are ambiguous in their current form. This creates uncertainty as to the implementation of the regulation. Regulatory certainty is, however, an essential pre-condition for the effective functioning of a modern market economy. As currently drafted, REACH could pose a challenge to the operation of the market economy in the EU. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Design for safety in the chemical industry is becoming a more explicit and well-organised process. However, it requires additional support tools to enable designers to pay attention to safety from the earliest conceptual design stage and through the subsequent detailing and to design more cost-effectively. This paper presents a more explicit approach called design for safety (DfS), which links with approaches already in use, such as layers of protection approach (LOPA). The method consists of two elements, a technology management environment (TME) aimed at supporting the interaction between the many contributors to safe design and a safety modelling language (SML). This provides a rigorous object-oriented language for conceptualising the requirements for risk control (barriers) and analysing their vulnerability to degradation or attack by other system elements or conditions. The method provides a focus for organising and applying existing knowledge about risk control and systematically learning from new knowledge to be gathered and supplied in supporting databases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This review outlines the current and emerging applications of biotechnology, particularly in the production and processing of chemicals, for sustainable development. Biotechnology is “the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents”. Some of the defining technologies of modern biotechnology include genetic engineering; culture of recombinant microorganisms, cells of animals and plants; metabolic engineering; hybridoma technology; bioelectronics; nanobiotechnology; protein engineering; transgenic animals and plants; tissue and organ engineering; immunological assays; genomics and proteomics; bioseparations and bioreactor technologies. Environmental and economic benefits that biotechnology can offer in manufacturing, monitoring and waste management are highlighted. These benefits include the following: greatly reduced dependence on nonrenewable fuels and other resources; reduced potential for pollution of industrial processes and products; ability to safely destroy accumulated pollutants for remediation of the environment; improved economics of production; and sustainable production of existing and novel products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One important challenge in chemical industry, especially for processes of synthesis fuels, is the development of effective three-phase reactors for high pressure and temperature. In the present study, a novel airlift internal-loop reactor (ALR) was proposed and its hydrodynamic behaviors were experimentally studied. The local bubble rise velocity and liquid velocity are measured under different operating conditions. The influence of operating conditions including the superficial gas velocity and solid holdup on the bubble rise velocity and liquid velocity in the riser was studied. A mathematical model was proposed based on the energy balance to describe the multiphase flow characteristics in the internal-loop airlift reactor. The comparison between the calculated and experimental values shows that the proposed model can predict the flow behavior reasonably. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Agglomeration offers both static, cost-based advantages and dynamic, innovation-related benefits to participating firms. These ideas have informed regional development policy from the growth poles/centres of the 1950/1960s to the contemporary focus on clusters. Although such policies imply the theoretical prospect of regional diversification by exploiting supply-chain and information-based/knowledge-based relationships, in practice they tend to promote regional specialisation. The experiences of many old industrial areas emphasise the risks of specialisation as advantages mutate into liabilities (territorial lock-in). These experiences are ignored in much of the clusters discourse which often lacks historical perspective. This paper provides such perspective by reflecting upon the relationships between the dynamics of industry evolution, agglomeration, and regional development policy with reference to the chemical industry on Teesside in North East England. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Reactive hazards remain a significant safety challenge in the chemical industry despite continual attention devoted to this problem. The application of various criteria, which are recommended by the guidelines for assessment of reactive hazards, often causes unsafe results to be obtained. The main origins of such failures are as follows: (a) reactivity of a compound is considered as an inherent property of a compound; (b) some appropriate criteria are determined by using too simple methods that cannot reveal potential hazards properly. Four well-known hazard indicators—time to certain conversion limit, TCL; adiabatic time to maximum rate, TMR; adiabatic temperature rise; and NFPA reactivity rating number, Nr—are analyzed in the paper. It was ascertained that they could be safely used for preliminary assessment of reactive hazards provided that: (a) the selected indicator is appropriate for the specific conditions of a process; (b) the indicators have been determined by using the pertinent methods. The applicability limits for every indicator were determined and the advanced kinetics-based simulation approach, which allows reliable determination of the indicators, is proposed. The technique of applying this approach is illustrated by two practical examples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Horizontal-tube falling film condensers are used in many fields: chemical industries, refrigeration, desalination, cooling, etc. However, their performances cannot be predicted precisely due to the complexity of the phenomena. In this paper, heat and mass transfer in a horizontal-tube falling-film condenser used in an innovative desalination plant was studied theoretically. The polypropylene exchanger was designed to work at relatively high temperatures (25–35°C). In fact, the desalination unit was designed to function in remote areas where the ambient temperature frequently exceeds 30°C [1]. The model developed uses basic aerodynamic, hydrodynamic and heat/mass transfer information to predict the performance of the exchanger. The predicted transfer characteristics obtained from the simulations were compared to experimental data [2]. From this comparison, it was seen that the model is well able to predict the trends of heat and mass characteristics of the condenser. The influence of the different thermal, hydrodynamic and geometric parameters on the condenser performances was investigated. The variations of the distilled water amount inside the exchanger were analysed. The results were used to determine the optimum operational conditions. Finally, the model was also used to optimise the different exchanger components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases are an extremely important metabolic system involved in the metabolism of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. Collectively, P450 monooxygenases can metabolize numerous substrates and carry out multiple oxidative reactions. The large number of substrates metabolized is due to the plethora of P450 isoforms and to the broad substrate specificity of some isoforms. Monooxygenases of insects have several functional roles, including growth, development, feeding and protection against xenobiotics, including resistance to pesticides and tolerance to plant toxins. This review begins with background information about P450s and their evolution, followed by a discussion of the extraordinary diversity of insect P450s. Given the enormous interest in studying individual P450s, we then provide a synopsis of the different methods that have been used in their isolation and the substrates that are known to be metabolized. We conclude by summarizing the lessons we have learned from the study of individual insect P450s, including their roles in insecticide resistance, plant-insect interactions and insect physiology. However, these studies are just the 'tip of the iceberg'. Our knowledge continues to expand at a rapid pace, suggesting that the next decade will outpace the last in terms of improving our understanding of the cytochromes P450 of insects. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts related to the chemical industry including the oxidations by sodium hydride, asymmetric reductions involved in imines and amines, and the allylation of isatin derivatives.

The article reports on the launch of Archroma, a newly formed color and specialty chemicals company in Switzerland. It states that Archroma forms a part of Textile Specialties, Paper Solutions and Emulsion Products businesses of the chemical company Clariant, which were acquired by the investment firm SK Capital Partners LLC in 2012. It informs about new chief executive officer (CEO) Alexander Wessels of the company who will work in association with current heads of the three businesses.

The article presents a profile of Republic of Ireland (RoI) International Group of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). The RoI International Group is a small group that was formed in 1947 as the 'Dublin & District Section'. The Group sponsors one event every year in Limerick and Cork. The Group will now form a joint venture with (SCI) Society of Chemical Industry's Northern Ireland Group, to produce increased activity and resources for both.

A calendar of international events from October 2009 to May 2010 is presented including the symposium on paper chemistry in Barcelona, Spain, Organic Photovoltaics Summit in Boston, Massachusetts, and Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy in Honolulu, Hawaii.

A calendar of events related to the chemical industry in Great Britain in March 2009 is presented which includes multi-phase catalysis in supercritical fluids, Juggling: theory and practice, and sponsored events at the Cambridge Science Festival.

A calendar of events related to chemical industry in Great Britain from March to September 2009 is presented which includes a conference titled "Organometallic Chemistry Conference," Anuga Foodtech 2009, and Taibah International Chemistry Conference.

The article offers information on the merging of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) the Society of Dyers and Colourists India Education Charity (SDC India EC). It discusses that the agreement was formalized with the signing of the memorandum of understanding among the respective Indian bodies of the SCI and the SDC Indian EC on June 25, 2008. It infers thats like SCI, Sdc India EC is a knowledge-based charitable organization and is also the world's only international professional society aimed at advancing the world of colour.

The article reports that AkzoNobel's pulp and paper chemicals business, Eka Chemicals has acquired Levasil. AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals has purchased two organic peroxides product lines from China's Jiangsu QiangSheng. H.C. Starck is supplying its Levasil silica sol brand as a raw material with the plant's production capacity totaling around 30,000 tons a year. Jiangsu QiangSheng is the largest manufacturer and supplier of organic peroxides in China. The organic peroxides product lines that AkzoNobel is purchasing are used chiefly in keyboard pads and for the production of silicone rubber.

The article focuses on the status of the Finnish chemical industry in 2008. According to Finnish Chemical Industry Federation (CIF), the sector is facing tough times in 2008, and weak demand for paper in Europe and North America, high wood prices, and the U.S. recession have all hit hard. It mentions that the sector grew 4.5 in 2007, but reduced capacity in the paper and pulp industry, and is expected to hit the bottom line in 2008. Also, the output of the plastics sector declined almost 4% in 2007, because of the slowdown in the construction industry.

The article reports on the plan of the Hungarian government to focus on the growing research and development (R&D) in the chemical industry. The output of the chemical industry has been rising steadily since 2000, with plastics raw materials production posted a 4.9 percent growth, the paints sector grew by 9.2 percent nd industrial gases, 13.4 percent, according to the article. Foreign investment has been the main development driver in the Hungarian chemical industry, with almost 50 billion euro coming to Hungary from the period of 1990 to 2005. 7.6 percent of the investment went into the chemical industry, according to Ivan Budai, director general of the Hungarian chemical industry association, MAVESZ.

Akzo Nobel''s pulp and paper chemicals business, Eka Chemicals, has signed an agreement to supply, store and handle all chemicals for a greenfield pulp mill being built in Trê Lagoas, Brazil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article announces the Vanguard Award given to Stephanie A. Burns, president and CEO of Dow Corning Corp., by the Chemical Educational Foundation. This award recognizes leadership, community service, and educational outreach on behalf of the chemical industry.

Reports on the acquisition of a Chinese company by Harima Chemicals Inc.'s subsidiary corporation Hangzhou Hangua-Harima Paper Chemicals in China.