32 Developing Environmentally Friendly Catalysts for Biorenewable Chemicals Production


Asynt reports how the Process Intensification Group, within the School of Engineering at Newcastle University, UK is using the MultiCell-PLUS High-Pressure Reactor as part of their program of ongoing research to create a new environmentally friendly generation of catalysts for production of biorenewable chemicals.


Dr Fernando Russo Abegão, a Lecturer from the Process Intensification Group, said: “In order to develop our new generation of catalysts we needed to be able to screen a high number of samples, often at high pressure and temperature. In the past we only had isolated autoclaves in the lab. These weren’t ideal for screening as they required large amounts of catalysts for testing, and we could only perform one reaction at a time. To be effective we required an instrumental set-up that could provide a fast turnaround, allowing us to quickly test, rationalise, and identify optimal catalyst formulations.”


Dr Kamelia Boodhoo, a Reader in Sustainable Process Technology, added: “We wanted to ensure that we selected a high-pressure reactor system that was well stirred to keep the particles in suspension at all times, reducing mass transfer limitations. We looked at various commercially available high-pressure reactors and chose the MultiCell-PLUS system from Asynt as it incorporated parallel agitated reactors with automatic temperature and pressure control. Using this versatile, high-performance system we have already successfully developed a new generation of ‘greener’ catalysts for dehydration of C5 and C6 sugars into furans. Looking to the future, our plan is also to use the MultiCell-PLUS for screening of solvents and process conditions.”


The Multicell-PLUS was developed by Asynt to provide scientists with a flexible and customisable device for high throughput screening of chemical reactions under high pressure. The reactor allows users to set up a multitude of experimental conditions in each of its 8 reaction cells, ideal for optimisation and screening investigations. Manufactured from 316 stainless steel, the Multicell-PLUS standard unit operates up to 50 barg and up to 200ºC. For more demanding and corrosive chemistries, there are options for alternative alloys and for increased operational conditions up to 200 barg and 300ºC. Motor-driven magnetically coupled overhead stirring is also offered as an option for reactions involving particulate suspensions or viscous reaction mixtures. With its own safety-locking mechanism and adjustable support lifting platform, the Multicell-PLUS high-pressure reactor sets a new benchmark for operator safety, all-round accessibility, and ease-of-use.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/DDw2 The Power of the Probe: Dynamic Light Scattering Made Easy


The unique probe technology in Microtrac’s Nanotrac series analysers, Nanotrac FLEX and Nanotrac WAVE II, provides rapid, simple and reliable particle size measurements in suspensions and emulsions without using consumables. These compact units operate with the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method over a wide concentration range, usually without dilution, to measure particle size, zeta potential, concentration and molecular weight.


The cutting-edge, versatile probe design and the use of laser-amplified detection in the Nanotrac FLEX, allows any suitable vessel can be turned into a sample cell. A wide selection of measurement cells is available for the Nanotrac WAVE II. This design enables sample measurements without dilution and without prior knowledge about the particle distribution, based on the Frequency Power Spectrum (FPS) method instead of classic Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS).


The revolutionary fixed optic design of the Nanotrac FLEX probe allows for measurement, for example, in 1.5 ml Eppendorf Tubes® down to one single droplet. As any vessel


can be turned into a measurement vessel, the probe can be used at-line as well as in-line to monitor particle growth during a reaction. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/Eop0


55550pr@reply-direct.com Smart Connected Product Enables Remote Machine Monitoring in Real-time


ACG, the world’s leading integrated solutions provider for pharmaceutical companies, has introduced the Smart Connected Product - a new, innovative, IIoT solution, that connects production machines at any facility and visualises relevant information on a single platform. This data can be viewed over the web on any device with a secure connection and is accessible only to authorised users.


The Smart Connected Product is an integrated solution that addresses the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. The prime benefit of the technology is that it enables pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies to remotely monitor production machine settings, performance parameters, machine downtimes, and alarms, if any, over the Smart Connected dashboard - all in real-time. ACG Engineering’s team of experts and data scientists can study machine performance through remote settings and guide customers on how to better maintain and operate their machinery.


As part of its mission to make manufacturing better, ACG has also launched its campaign, ‘Smart Connected’. The campaign will raise awareness on how pharma


manufacturers can collaborate with ACG to remotely monitor their ACG equipment, improve efficiencies and reduce unplanned downtimes. The key messages will focus on how IIoT-based solutions will help pharmaceutical manufacturers use valuable data to analyse machine performance and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness.


Marcus Michel, CEO, ACG Engineering said: “We are excited to unveil the Smart Connected Product as part of our Smart Connected campaign. This initiative demonstrates ACG’s commitment to provide data- centric, end-to-end solutions under the principle of predictive maintenance. Our overall aim is to reduce costs, as well as lower any safety, health, environment and quality risks - all to ensure superior manufacturing performance. Detailed insights and information from our experts will help provide guidance to our customers on how to make machines run more efficiently and prevent unplanned downtime. Amid the evolving healthcare landscape, the Smart Connected product is a step forward to ensure an undisrupted supply chain.”


More information online: https://www.acg-world.com/en_us/ 56983pr@reply-direct.com New, Low-volume Biowaste Treatment System Offers Flexibility and Sustainability


Suncombe has announced the global release of the MicroEDS™ BioWaste Treatment System for biologically hazardous waste decontamination, typically required in the biopharma sector, laboratories and research institutes. The low-volume system is certified to ASME and ISO/EN standards for treating BSL 1, 2 & 3 waste, using an innovative batch process which allows positive release of all the waste collected.


MicroEDS is the result of 5 years of development and internal and external testing. It includes a number of major technical advances, including thermal energy regeneration, low energy usage, 100% positive release for treated waste and electronic records generation.


In line with the biopharma industry’s commitment to address climate change, the new unit delivers 61% energy saving no matter the amount of liquid treated and reduces carbon footprint by up to 1.68 tonnes of CO2


each year, based on average use.


In response to clients’ requests for ease of use and installation the newly developed unit has been designed to work with a simple 230 Vac 13 amp supply (a domestic plug rating). Built on a small footprint, with options for protection covers, the MicroEDS has been specifically developed to fit into new lines or to be retrofitted into existing facilities.


In order to comply with many licensing requirements, the system is designed to operate at a thermal treatment parameter of 121°C for 15 minutes, as well as variable temperature, time and f0 lethality settings, for specific requirements. The company has developed an innovative system which promotes sustainability by reducing the energy usage and utility consumption by up to 75%, whilst maintaining the reliability, repeatability and robustness associated with all Suncombe products.


With capacities varied to suit a wide range of waste volume from 150 to 500 litres per day, the MicroEDS is supplied with controls and interlocking functionality to ensure containment is constantly maintained and there is always a positive release prior to discharge of treated waste. HEPA sterile filters are incorporated to ensure that escaping gases are also maintained in the contained envelope.


Complying with globally recognised regulations, the containment envelope and requirements are assessed for each project individually to provide a robust, reliable method of collection and storage of liquid waste streams, up to 500 litres per day.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/RM2G 56763pr@reply-direct.com 57144pr@reply-direct.com


LAB ASIA - APRIL 2022


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