CALGARY, AB — Rosemount Analytical and its partners, Los Alamos National Laboratory have been awarded a 1999 R&D 100 award for the development of the Sulfur Resistant Oxymitter 4000. The awards are p…
CALGARY, AB — Rosemount Analytical and its partners, Los Alamos National Laboratory have been awarded a 1999 R&D 100 award for the development of the Sulfur Resistant Oxymitter 4000. The awards are presented annually by R&D Magazine for the 100 most significant research and development achievements of the year. The Oxymitter 4000 is claimed to be the only serve service in situ oxygen transmitter. It is said to last up to 10 times longer without cell replacement than competitive oxygen analyzers in sulphur-rich environments.
ACID FROM PAPER MILL SLUDGE
RICHLAND, WA — Massachusetts-based Biofine has developed an economical method of turning paper mill sludge into levulinic acid and its derivatives. The Biofine process can be used to create the acid for as little as 10% the cost of the current manufacturing process. The cost savings are key to using a second process that creates, from levulinic acid, an important compound for use in alternative fuels. The US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed the first multi-step catalytic process to convert levulinic acid to other products including an alternative fuel component called methyltetrathydrofuran (MTHF). MTHF can be used with ethanol and natural gas liquids to create a cleaner burning fuel for cars and trucks. The patented process is conducted at elevated temperatures and pressures inside a continuous flow reactor. The levulinic acid is mixed with hydrogen. Then both compounds are pumped through a reactor filled with a catalyst where a series of chemical reactions occur at about 240(C and 100 atmospheres of pressure to create MTHF. Pacific Northwest has partnered with Biofine, which has a pilot-scale levulinic conversion facility in South Glens Falls, NY. The levulinic acid production technology is ready for commercialization and an industry search is in progress to build a manufacturing plant in a major pulp and paper producing region. The planned commercial plant would use paper mill waste products to produce the acid and would upgrade the material to MTHF to sell as a solvent initially.
PUTTING TREES ON THE PILL
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON — The summer 1999 issue of Insights, published by the Ontario Forest Research Institute, describes how a pill could improve the survival and growth of eastern white pine. In studies at sites near Temagami and Algonquin Provincial Park, seedlings planted without the pill experienced up to 86% mortality by year 5 while only 20 to 23% of those planted with the pill died. By the end of this growing season, the untreated seedlings will probably have died, according to project leader Tim Meyer of the Institute. The pill contains a fungicide, insecticide and a fertilizer and is placed in the planting hole under the seedling. The young tree slowly absorbs the contents of the pill, which help it to resist white pine blister rust and the white pine weevil, and allows it to grow more quickly. The increased survival and accelerated growth rate give seedlings a competitive advantage over other vegetation and shorten the time of greatest susceptibility to blister rust infestation. The data indicate that the pill helps keep white pine growing strong until at least age five years at which time blister rust can be managed buy other means, such as pruning lower branches. The fertilizer, which accelerates growth, helps reduce the time until the crowns start to touch, which changes the microclimate, reducing moisture levels in the tree and discouraging blister rust from establishing, Meyer explained.
Further information about items appearing in R&D NEWS can be obtained by contacting the editorial offices of PULP & PAPER CANADA, phone 514-630-5955 or fax 514-630-5980. For Canada and the US, toll free, 1-800-363-1327.
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