Alchemity Manifesto: Modular, Circular, Net-Zero

🏭 What Does an H₂O₂ Factory Do? An H₂O₂ factory manufactures hydrogen peroxide, a highly versatile chemical used across industries such as paper production, textiles, environmental treatment, and chemical synthesis. 🔬 How Is Hydrogen Peroxide Produced? The most common method is the anthraquinone process, which involves: -Hydrogenation: Combining anthraquinone with hydrogen (H₂) to form anthrahydroquinone -Oxidation: Re-oxidizing it with air to regenerate anthraquinone and produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) -Extraction & Purification: Isolating and concentrating H₂O₂ through vacuum distillation Alternative methods include: -Electrolytic processes (early industrial method) -Biotechnology, using enzymes and bio-based materials for sustainable production ⚙️ Key Features of Modern H₂O₂ Factories -Scale: Mega plants can produce over 330,000 tons of H₂O₂ annually -Technology: Advanced systems, often proprietary, enhance efficiency and consistency -Decentralization: Smaller, on-site satellite units support localized production and reduce logistics pressure -Safety & Sustainability: Facilities prioritize product stewardship and environmental protection, often certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Hydrogen peroxide production isn't just about chemistry — it's a showcase of engineering precision, industrial scale, and sustainable innovation. #HydrogenPeroxide #H2O2Factory #ChemicalManufacturing #IndustrialChemicals #SustainableProduction #ProcessEngineering #ISO9001 #GreenChemistry #AnthraquinoneProcess

Bio-based manufacturing is a key way to decrease reliance on critical resources, however the scale-up pathways are often synonymous with risk. Traditional approaches typically rely on bespoke infrastructure or operate at low productivity, making cost competitivity a challenge until late in the journey. At HydRegen, we’ve taken a different path. Our Chemistry teams, led by Sarah Cleary, PhD Cleary, develop and scale bio-based chemical production processes using 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 - no custom reactors, therefore no new plant builds for the end-user. This massively de-risks the journey from lab to commercial scale. More importantly, we only begin if we believe we can operate at 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆. We know that high productivity, means low cost. The result? A faster route to market and a real opportunity to save our customers money whilst replacing precious metals and providing a more sustainable supply chain. #chemistry #scaleup #industrialbiotechnology #hydrogenation #bio2amine #h2biocat

UK Scientists Just Turned Kitchen Waste Into Car Fuel and Beauty Products — Saving Money and the Planet! Source: [https://lnkd.in/gEwfgFqT] Researchers from Loughborough University (via spin-out R3V Tech) have created an electrochemical process that can convert crude glycerol (a low-value byproduct of biodiesel production) directly into solketal — a high-value solvent used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and as a fuel additive. Unlike conventional refining methods, this new approach works at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, greatly reducing energy use compared to high-heat, high-pressure processes.The process also eliminates the need to transport the crude glycerol to external refineries, thereby cutting transport emissions and associated costs. #R3VTech #Solketal #WasteToValue #BiodieselRecycling #GreenSolvent #CircularChemistry #LowEnergyProcess #BeautyMeetsFuel #EcoInnovation #SustainableChemicals #ChemicalUpcycling #ClimateTech #CleanCosmetics #FuelAdditiveTech #LabToField

As noted by Charles Creissen, Keele University in Nature Energy, a great example of how fundamental chemistry has a critical role in driving engineering solutions for sustainable technology and the transition to a low carbon future. #sustainabletechnology #sustainablechemistry #lowcarbonfuture #decarbonisation #climateaction

I wrote a short piece about exciting research from David Sinton, Ted Sargent, and colleagues on improving CO electrolysis ⚡ By swapping out membranes for separators, the team showed that the electricity input could be lowered for the production of ethylene - a critical plastic precursor. I have shared my thoughts on this important development and its broader implications for the field. It's a great example of how fundamental chemistry can guide engineering solutions for sustainable technology 🌍 ♻️ https://rdcu.be/eJiqK https://lnkd.in/evPzRV4B #electrolysis #membrane #ethylene

A sustainable, cellulosic resource which can – among others – be used for the manufacturing of biocomposite materials and serves as a feedstock for green chemistry. Recell by Recell® https://lnkd.in/eEJmncvJ #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #BiobasedMaterials #Cellulose #InteriorDesign #ProductDesign

A recent development demonstrates that sodium dispersion can enable the recovery of fluorine from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) at room temperature. This approach addresses the environmental challenges associated with PTFE disposal, which traditionally relies on energy-intensive incineration or landfilling. The sodium dispersion method offers a more sustainable alternative by facilitating defluorination under mild conditions, potentially supporting polymer recycling and reducing the environmental impact of fluoropolymer waste. This advancement may contribute to more efficient resource recovery and improved sustainability in industries utilizing PTFE.

Bioprocessing provides a sustainable alternative to traditional methods, working efficiently at room temperature and pressure. Unlike conventional processes that are energy-intensive and non-selective, gas fermentation uses microbes that can convert waste gases into valuable products like methanol and acetate. The challenge is designing bioreactors to overcome mass transfer limits and scale-up issues. A new direct-gas bioreactor with alternating gas and liquid delivery solves these problems, boosting productivity. Read this article to learn more: #ChemicalProcessing #ChemicalPlants #Consulting #Scale-Up #Commercialization https://lnkd.in/gJ9scBJW 

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 – 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮 𝗣𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 Activated carbon is essential for water purification - but its production is often a hidden climate burden – especially for removing pharmaceuticals, hormones, pesticides, and microplastics in the 4th purification stage. 📉 Virgin coal-based AC: ⟶ 11–18 t CO₂e per ton 📉 Reactivated AC: ⟶ 3–5 t CO₂e per ton 🆕 Graforce carbon from plasma pyrolysis (natural gas-based): ⟶ Only 0.4–0.6 t CO₂e per ton (Sources: Gu et al. 2018; Bayer et al. 2005; Vilén 2021; internal LCA Graforce 2025) 🧪 What we did We tested our unactivated carbon, directly from the methane plasma process, against commercial products • Test substance: Aspirin Plus C (pharmaceutical contaminant) • Methode: Plasma Pyrolysis Using electric plasma at 1,500 °C, we split methane into: low-carbon Hydrogen (CO₂-free) and Solid carbon • Measured: Removal efficiency at different dosages (0.1–2 g/L) Results: ✅ Up to 90% contaminant removal ✅ Outperforms multiple commercial granulates ✅ No chemical activation needed – direct use for water treatment 🌍 Why This Matters • Global AC demand exceeds 2 million tons/year • EU & global regulations now target micropollutant removal • Conventional AC is CO₂- and cost-intensive • Our technology delivers two products in one process: → Low-carbon hydrogen → Ultra-low-carbon adsorbent 📢 We’re ready for pilots with utilities, municipalities, and industrial wastewater operators. Clean hydrogen + clean water – at a fraction of the emissions of conventional AC. #WaterTreatment #ActivatedCarbon #PlasmaPyrolysis #MethaneReforming #TurquoiseHydrogen #CircularCarbon #Wastewater #Micropollutants #CO2Reduction #Graforce

💡 “Efficiency means little if it isn’t sustainable.” 🌿 From Chemicals to Nature: Rethinking Demulsification in Olefins and Crude Oil Processing One of the persistent challenges in petroleum and petrochemical systems is managing oil–water emulsions. These stubborn mixtures are stabilized by natural surfactants in crude oil such as asphaltenes, resins, and waxes. In olefins plants, similar emulsions occur in quench water and pyrolysis effluent systems, where hydrocarbon–water interactions can cause fouling, hinder heat recovery, and complicate water reuse (e.g. dilution steam generation, DSG). 🔹 Why this matters to process engineers: Efficient demulsification, the breaking and separation of emulsions, is vital for maintaining unit reliability, product purity, and sustainable water cycles across process trains. Traditionally, chemical demulsifiers (e.g., polyethylene glycol, glycerol, and amine-based surfactants) have delivered quick and reliable results. Yet, their residual impact on closed-loop systems and environmental footprint remain major concerns. 🌱 The innovation shift: Recent studies are driving the move toward natural and bio-based demulsifiers derived from coconut oil, chitosan, citric extracts, and plant or waste oils. These biodegradable agents reduce interfacial tension and promote droplet coalescence while minimizing ecological risks. ⚙️ Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as nanoparticles, graphene oxide, and magnetic-field-assisted separation are transforming how we treat quench water and pyrolysis effluent emulsions, delivering higher efficiency with less chemical dependency. For olefins and downstream operations, integrating these solutions means: ✅ Improved demulsification and throughput efficiency ✅ Cleaner water reuse and reduced fouling ✅ Lower operational and environmental costs As engineers and researchers, the next frontier isn’t just faster separation — it’s sustainable separation. ✨ The goal: not just to break emulsions, but to build resilience and sustainability into every drop. #ProcessEngineering #PetrochemicalResearch #OlefinsPlant #WaterReuse #Sustainability #Demulsification #ChemicalEngineering #GreenTech #EnergyTransition #FoulingControl #InnovationInIndustry