Seán Ottewell

United States

Editor At Large at Chemical Processing

Editor at Freelance

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Articles

Chocolate: From Theology and Processing to Functional Food

1 week ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

With Easter just behind us and chocolate consumption hitting its second-quarter 2025 peak, it’s a good time to reflect on the theological and processing developments that have got us where we are today. From Sacred Sips to Sweet TreatsBy the late 1600s, it was a favorite with pretty much every royal and wealthy family on the continent. However, the penchant for the elite to drink it during long church services prompted devout Catholics to worry that fasting rules were being broken.
Rice Process Eliminates PFAS, Generates Graphene

1 week ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Rice Process Eliminates PFAS, Generates GraphenePFAS destruction method creates graphene from contaminated carbon materials. A new method for destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) not only eliminates them from water systems but also generates high-value graphene. Researchers at Rice University developed the zero net cost method, which relies on flash Joule heating (FJH) technology.
Plastic Recycling Patents Reveal Global Innovation Trends

1 month ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Plastic Recycling Patents Reveal Global Innovation TrendsWinners and losers in the recycling technology development race. A Circularity of TiresAt the end of January, Tokai Carbon, Tokyo, Japan, announced the launch of a project to develop processing technologies for Eco-Carbon Black (eCB) extracted from polymer products such as end-of-life tires containing rubber.
Grounds for Innovation: Brewing Plastic Alternatives

1 month ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

The broader vision for our project is to develop pathways for small-scale production and experimental fabrication using renewable biomaterials. Which U.S. industry is worth $350 billion per year and employs 2.2 million people spread across every single state and territory? Think espressos, lattes and cappuccinos; lots and lots of them, according to the National Coffee Association (NCA).
Chemical Looping Prevents Poisoned Catalyst

1 month ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Processing EquipmentReaction & SynthesisChemical Looping Prevents Poisoned CatalystNovel catalyst tackles contamination in polymerization processes. Matt Jacob/University of MinnesotaFigure 1. The experimental set up included mass flow controllers, a furnace to heat the reactor, a recirculating pump to move the gases around, a gas chromatograph (GC) to monitor gas composition, and process lines to route the gases around between the reactor, pump, and GC.
Hydrogen Activation Catalyst Harnesses Boron and Sodium

1 month ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Processing EquipmentReaction & SynthesisHydrogen Activation Catalyst Harnesses Boron and SodiumResearchers started with the concept of frustrated Lewis pairs, which are incredibly reactive and capable of activating bonds in normally stable molecules. Researchers in Japan have developed a transition metal-free catalyst for activating hydrogen.
The Next Kevlar? Polymer Research Shows Promise

2 months ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Sixty years after Kevlar was first developed in a DuPont lab, the para-aramid polymer fiber’s heat resistance, high tensile strength and light weight have made it the stock-in-trade for a diverse set of applications. Possibly best known today for its use in ballistic armor, the polymer now is no stranger to industries including aerospace, automotive, PPE, adhesives and sealants, and emergency response, for example.
What’s New in Gas Separation Membrane Developments?

2 months ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Environmental FocusOne of the companies mentioned in the report, Evonik Industries, Marl, Germany, will focus its efforts on biogas producers in early 2025. The company claims its new SEPURAN Green G5X 11 biogas membrane is the largest of its kind on the market. It is specifically designed to upgrade biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG) in various situations.
From PFAS to Lead: Tracking Current and Historical Pollution

2 months ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Research from regions as diverse as the Arctic and Aegean is helping scientists understand how industrial activity has impacted the environment over the last 5,000 years and continues to do so today. For example, a study published last year in Science of The Total Environment shows how per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) persist, accumulate and pose threats to Arctic biodiversity and humans.
Patented Prototype Uses Wind and Mesh to Make Ammonia

Feb 7, 2025 | chemicalprocessing.com | Seán Ottewell

Asset ManagementSustainabilityPatented Prototype Uses Wind and Mesh to Make AmmoniaGreen ammonia represents a new frontier in sustainability and could reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A team led by Stanford University researchers has demonstrated a prototype device that manufactures ammonia by using wind energy to draw air through a catalyst-coated mesh. The portable, patented device operates at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure and requires no external voltage to run.