NOTES TECH

Sulzer Separation Technologies Selected for the World’s First e-Methanol Plant

Sulzer Chemtech’s advanced separation technologies are being used to enable the world’s first commercial scale e-methanol plant, constructed by European Energy.

The innovative facility, in Kassø, Aabenraa, Denmark, will produce 32,000 metric tons of carbon neutral fuels per year, helping to decarbonize the heavy transportation sector. As a lightweight fuel produced from solar and wind, e-methanol enables the effective storage and transport of renewable energy.

European Energy is applying an innovative process to convert renewable electricity into e-methanol. The Kassø plant will be supplied with power from the adjacent 300 MW solar park owned by European

Novozymes Invests in New UV Technology from Danish Lyras

Biotech group Novozymes has invested in a new and energyfriendly filtration replacement from Danish company Lyras. Following a thorough test course, the group purchased its first UV system based on the raslysation technology for inactivation of microorganisms. Raslysation is going to improve work environments and reduce energy consumption for the global market leader in industrial enzymes.

Novozymes’ new raslysation system is going to replace laborintensive filtration processes that previously caused physical strain on the company’s employees in connection with manual handling of filters. At the same time, the investment is expected to provide increased safety with regard to unwanted microbiology and reduced energy consumption.

Lyras has developed the groundbreaking raslysation technology, which inactivates microorganisms in drinks and other opaque liquids by way of UV light. www.lyras.com

Energy, and it represents the first step in bringing this e-fuel to market at scale.

Sulzer Chemtech will deliver two distillation units with a customized design to the facility. This key technology will enable the production of e-methanol of extremely high purity for use in combustion engines and as a chemical feedstock. Half of the total plant output, 16,000 metric tons per annum, will be delivered to AP Moller – Maersk to fuel the company’s first container ship capable of operating on green methanol. www.sulzer.com

Panasonic’s “nanoe X” is a portable air purifier that can be perched in a cup holder to clear a vehicle’s interior of unwanted smells, including new car smells that may not be the best for your health, as they may contain volatile organic compounds being emitted from plastics and vinyl in the vehicle still offgassing after manufacturing.

Panasonic promises the USB-powered air purifier designed to sit in most cup holders can clean all the air in a car’s cabin in about two hours.

The purifier relies on the company’s nanoe X technology, which it has used in other purifying products earlier. Those namesake ‘nanoes’ are “nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles produced by applying a high voltage to water collected from the air and contains hydroxyl radicals that easily act on various substances.” Not only can they reduce the intensity of odors, but can also help “inhibit viruses, bacteria, mold, and allergens, both air-borne and on surfaces.” www.panasonic.com

Panasonic says its nanoe X products have been certified by organizations like the California Air Resource Board, the Underwriters Laboratories, and the Electrical Testing Laboratory, so we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt until we’re able to go hands-on with the device, but pricing and availability aren’t known yet.