MaxiQuim Blog. Read the texts of our experts on chemical and petrochemical industry

Huntsman innovates with carbon fiber!!

After intensive research on development of composite materials, Huntsman Advanced Materials, designed a racing yacht for international high-performance competition, named “CODE8”. In this project were selected specific materials, among them carbon fiber, according with mechanical and surface properties, as well as the possibility of manufacturing parts with high dimensional precision.
The hull and deck were manufactured from a mould, using hot curing system through vacuum infusion. The bonding of the yacht parts was made with epoxy adhesive, presenting good resistance to weather and water.
Huntsman highlights that CODE8 was manufactured in the highest standard of quality, besides that, the development and production stages were quick, and the first model of CODE8 yacht was finalized in four months.

Posted by: Matheus Daniel Pierozan on 08/23/2011

Send comment Comments (0)

The turn of composites!?!?

The classic definition of composites is the combination of two materials in macroscopic level in at least two different phases to create a new material with superior properties to the original materials. A traditional example of composite thermoset that can be described in a very simple way is the combination of polyester resin and fiberglass. The employment of these materials comprehends many segments, in special in transportation and infrastructure. This sector of converter industry is gaining more space and developing exponentially in the world. In Brazil, the evolution presented is not so different and the industry revenue of thermoset composites was almost U$ 1,595 billion in 2010, moreover the average rate of annual growth of the sector’s revenue in the past years is around 11%. Despite millions of tons of composites being converted every year in the world, its representativeness general applications still weak when its compared to other materials as steel, wood, aluminum, thermoplastic resin, among others.
There are few barriers that interfere with the development of thermoset composites in replacement of some materials in certain markets, in special when it comes to the difficulty of recycling these materials. Nowadays have become a necessity to give noble destination the waste produced in every sector, not only due to the cost of disposing of such amounts in landfills, but also due to the possibility of reusing them as raw material. Unlike thermoplastics resin, thermoset resins exhibit cross-linking between polymeric chains and, for that reason, cannot be simply reprocessed to generate a new product. Besides, thermoset composites can be manufactured from different materials: various resins, several kinds of structural reinforcements and other compounds that can be incorporated to the composite. Precisely due to the possibility of formulating a composite using infinity combinations, the homogeneity of the waste is lost, which complicates its recycling process.
Given this problem, the scientific community has made an effort in research and development of recycling techniques of thermosets composites. Currently there are basically two kinds of recycling for these materials: mechanical and thermal. The mechanical recycling is basically the reduction of the size of the waste, reducing it to dust or “new fibers”, which can be reused as reinforcement in new products. The thermal recycling, on the other hand, can be employed in the same way it is traditionally used with thermoplastic waste, recovering the energy contained in the thermoset composites through combustion (these materials present calorific value similar to good quality coal). Also, the solid waste generated by the combustion can be employed in the manufacturing of cement. Naturally, thermal recycling is a more sophisticated process. A process using heat to isolate resin from fiber of composite in fluidised bed is currently being developed. This technique produces high quality recycled fibers, focusing in the recovery of carbon fibers, since the cost of such fibers in the market is elevated.
Analyzing this setting, it is clear that recycling thermoset composites still presents a challenge, for the cost is elevated and it loses competitiveness compared to other materials. On the other hand, the production of these composites is consolidated as a viable alternative when it comes to a product with performance related application, and in certain markets it is a viable alternative to cost reduction. There is no doubt that the industry of thermoset composites will take off when the recycling of these materials becomes commercially viable…

Posted by: Matheus Daniel Pierozan on 08/09/2011

Send comment Comments (0)

UN expects US$ 76 tri expenses in “Going Green”

The United Nations (UN) had divulged a report which predicts a US$ 1.9 trillion in annual expenses on environmental sustainability in the next 40 years, totalizing US$ 76 trillion in investments. The report emphasizes the need of development of clean energy technologies.
The report authors, predicting negative repercussion in social issue, protect themselves saying the “Global Green” incentive is not only a clean energy investment; it is also an investment which reflects in the social humanity evolution, helping on starvation and misery combat. But the report does not explain how it would happen.
The UN declaration had generated distrust. For example: it is told in the report that 40% of the world population depends on biomass for its energy needs and the report uses this affirmation to stimulate investments in the sector. But it is not mention that 20% of world population does not have access to electricity. The report also does not explain on what these investments should go to.
The investment considered is about a half Latin America GDP and that affirmation could be dangerous. There are some specialists who questioned: the benefits from environmental sustainability overcome the costs of not doing it? It should not enter in discussion and the UN report should be more clear and technical.

Posted by: João Luiz Zuñeda on 07/25/2011

Send comment Comments (0)

2050: sustainability and fuels

Energetic sustainability politics and greenhouse gases emissions are important topics in current government measures. In this context, International Energy Agency (IEA) has published a report about biofuels potential market in the next decades. According to the study, biofuels consumption will enhance in 25% until 2050 if dependence on fossil fuels decreases. Current biofuels consumption is 55 million TOE, and majority is of first generation biofuels, from sugar cane or corn. IEA focus its expectative in second generation biofuels, from lignocelluloses biomass. It is estimated that it will be necessary approximately US$ 12 billion of investments in biofuels to it become competitively with fossil fuels.
There are several critics about sustainability of biofuels, but, according to the study, it is possible to enhance biofuels consumption in a sustainable way, and the food production will not be affected.

Posted by: João Luiz Zuñeda on 05/03/2011

Send comment Comments (0)

Energy: China surprises

Currently, China is the second world’s major economy and according to the common sense, it was achieved only by employees’ exploration, large devastation of green areas and large exploration of fossil fuels. But this scenery has being changing and China arises as a global leader in development and clean energy utilization. Chinese government has recognized the energetic issue as an important point to economic development adopting new politics and rules to stimulate energy efficiency and renewable energy. Government has created efforts to reduce waste and enhance efficiency in coal burn, which is the main source of energy in China. The results of the program, which had started in 2005, had already appeared: per capita energy consumption was reduced in 10% and, as a result, green house gases emissions were reduced in 750 million tons.
China wants to enhance its use of alternative energy and talking about China, everything is possible.

Posted by: João Luiz Zuñeda on 03/21/2011

Send comment Comments (0)

North American shale gas: controversies

It is a certainty that shale gas is a strong ally to United States to guarantee energetic independence. But, the environmental risks involved in its extraction are obstructing the beginning of new fields perforation.
Marcellus field is the biggest and also the field that receives the major complains by region citizens. The noise, unclean water and chemical products used in the process are the main causes of population protests, by environmental and healthy rights.
Obama leans fracking processes (hydraulic fracture) because gas from shale gas is highly efficient when compared with another clean energy sources and that is crucial to Obama achieve the target of 80% of the energy from clean sources in 2035.
The main question is: is there risks and effects of fracking process on people and environmental? To answer that, it is necessary to consider jobs, government and companies profits that Marcellus field had already provided and will continuing to provide.

Posted by: João Luiz Zuñeda on 03/16/2011

Send comment Comments (0)

North American ethanol exports reaches record

US economy, which can not to fix itself since 2008 global economic crisis, has been shown good performance in the energy field. After shale gas investments, now ethanol is the target. Exports of ethanol could reach record volume in 2010; considering volumes until July, it was about 182 million of gallons. In comparison with historical exports, it represents a large increase: exports in 1995 were the record and summed 197 million of gallons all over the year. If the 2010 trend continues, it will reach 300 million of gallons!
Some producers are increasing current nameplate capacities in order to supply the demand. The main target is the ethanol with no additives, which represents the majority of exports. Demand on denatured ethanol (with additives, inappropriate for drinks) should be boosted soon, under the approval of E15 project, which forecasts an increase from 10% to 15% of ethanol in gasoline.
In the Brazilian-US commercial relationship, it is totally different nowadays from it used to be. Historically, US used to be net importer of Brazilian ethanol, but nowadays, exports are bigger than imports (Brazil is the 4° great importer of US ethanol). United Arab Emirates are the 3° great importer of US ethanol.

Posted by: João Luiz Zuñeda on 10/29/2010

Send comment Comments (0)