MATRIC was engaged to help a client identify opportunities to increase productivity, efficiency, process safety, energy efficiency and reliability in the operation of a chemical manufacturing facility in Asia. MATRIC’s team brought extensive operations, engineering and R&D experience in various technologies to the assessment and the client brought specific expertise in the technology employed. Pre-assessment [...]
A producer of a solid material wanted to update their process for greater efficiency and productivity. MATRIC investigated alternatives for removing insoluble components from the process stream at laboratory scale. The material was collected and characterized by microscopy and particle size analysis. Laboratory investigation of separation options identified disc centrifugation as a practical solution. A [...]
A chemical manufacturing facility encountered a problem with unexpected impurities in the product causing it to fail specifications. A MATRIC team was assembled to investigate the problem. Operating records were inspected, process streams were collected for analysis, and analytical methods were developed to help understand the problem. When the likely cause of the problem was [...]
In a competitive business environment, innovation and technology development are key factors of a business’s long-term survival and growth. In the chemical industry, companies strive to stay ahead of the competition by offering innovative products, distinct services, superior quality or competitive pricing. Regardless of which strategy a business adopts, technology development must drive the company’s [...]
A customer operating a liquid-phase oxidation asked MATRIC for an assessment of the safety and performance of their process. MATRIC visited the production facility, reviewed the operating procedures, and discussed the chemistry with the customer’s team. MATRIC then provided recommendations on how to avoid operating in the flammable range and suggested improvements that could improve [...]
A product obtained by crystallization had troublesome solid transport characteristics. The customer asked MATRIC for assistance in improving the operability of the process. MATRIC investigated the solid-liquid separation process and recommended the preferred approach, as well as an additional solids processing step. Finally, MATRIC recommended the most suitable solids transport technique. -- For additional information, [...]
Technology Assessment A technology organization had developed an innovative process for conversion of biomass to gasoline, and a potential investor wanted an independent assessment of the technology before making an investment decision. A MATRIC team spent nearly three days with the team developing the process, including an inspection of their pilot plant operation and results. [...]
Numerous projects have been carried out for various customers to evaluate specific hazards and provide recommendations on safe operations. The subjects include: evaluating the flammability limits and autoignition temperatures of mixtures of hydrocarbons and oxygen assessment of electrostatic hazards in handling flammable materials safe operating procedures for handling acetylene dealing with ignition hazards [...]
Working together, MATRIC and a customer’s technical team developed technology for processing algal oil to yield desired ester products. After demonstration in the laboratory, a continuous pilot plant was designed and constructed. With a budget of approximately $1M, this pilot plant included eight major capital items and 26 instruments, and it was completed under budget [...]
A customer needed to determine the feasibility of recovering acrolein from an aqueous product stream. MATRIC investigated the separation at the lab scale in a distillation column constructed of 1-inch Oldershaw sections, equipped for continuous feeds, including inhibitors. The required column design and operating conditions were determined, and the data were used to refine an [...]