A client commissioned work with MATRIC to define reaction conditions for a desired product in a continuous process. They had conducted an extensive batch-reaction study on this chemistry but needed to know how to operate continuously for scale-up. Among the issues needing definition/resolution were conditions to achieve full conversion, a separation/recovery process for the product [...]
A company encountered difficulties in solid-liquid separations in a biomass-based process. A MATRIC team visited the pilot plant location and investigated the process. Samples of product streams were provided for study in MATRIC’s laboratories. After a short experimental project, MATRIC offered recommendations, which were implemented in the customer’s facility. The results were very successful, leading [...]
An Australian company experienced two explosions in its chemical manufacturing unit and made contact with MATRIC for assistance. Within 10 days of initial contact, MATRIC had assembled a project team and sent a contingent to Australia. The root cause of the incidents was identified and a revised process with inherent safety and improved reliability was [...]
A bioenergy company contracted with MATRIC to develop a continuous biodiesel process. Research began in the laboratory and progressed to a small continuous pilot plant, which was used to develop the novel design for a commercial plant. MATRIC then led the detailed engineering effort for the plant and provided engineering construction support for the project. [...]
When a major law firm needed experienced technical resources for a major case involving R&D tax credits, they approached MATRIC. A diverse team worked closely with the firm and its client to perform a technical assessment of thousands of documents, meeting a challenging schedule for completion. MATRIC also developed expert reports and testified before the [...]
West Virginia State University operated an anaerobic fermentation process for treating agricultural waste and converting it to useful and environmentally acceptable products. MATRIC was engaged to provide process engineering support and evaluate the commercial potential of the process. An economic model was developed that provided insight into the important considerations for commercialization. -- For additional [...]
When AKJ Industries was having problems with their existing product line, they asked MATRIC to develop a new side release agent that would prevent wet coal from freezing to the sides of rail cars during winter transport. Within six weeks, MATRIC had devised a method to quantitatively measure the effectiveness of potential products and had [...]
BioAmber developed a proprietary fermentation process to produce succinic acid using raw materials from agriculture and forestry. MATRIC was able to provide chemical process and engineering expertise that led to the development of a novel isolation and purification process involving reactive distillation and crystallization. The novel process was demonstrated at the pilot scale at MATRIC’s [...]
A technology concept has been developed that has significant potential as an economic means to clean up industrial waste-water streams, such as those from gas wells. The technology is based on formation of methane clathrate from a contaminated aqueous stream, by a newly discovered technique that greatly increases the rate of production of the clathrate. [...]
A client was interested in exploring the possibility of catalyzing the hydrolysis of soluble carbohydrate oligomers to monomeric sugars with a particular type of catalyst. MATRIC selected specific catalysts to be evaluated, and initial tests provided proof of the concept. Additional studies determined rates and selectivities for their reactions with various substrates. The most promising [...]