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Extracts from Nandini Chemical Journal,May 2013
HCFC 125 |CALCIUM D SACCHARATE|POLYTRIMETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE
Highlights of Some of the Articles
TALK OF THE MONTH : ASSAULT ON KOODANKULAMRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TO PRODUCE ETHANOL FROM AGAVE
HCFC 125 - EMERGING REFRIGERANT
SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIALITY CHEMICAL CALCIUM D SACCHARATE
WISHFUL PRICE FORECAST FOR SOLAR POWER
POLYTRIMETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE PRODUCT PROFILE
UNCERTAINTIES FACING KOCHI LNG PROJECT
DEMAND GROWTH TREND FOR BIOTECH PRODUCTS FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
SHOULD NATURAL GAS BE PREFERRED FOR POWER OR FERTILISER INDUSTRY?
ACQUISTION / MERGER - INTERNATIONAL
SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PAGE
ANTI DUMPING PAGE
OTHER ARTICLES
TALK OF THE MONTH - ASSAULT ON KOODANKULAM
Koodankulam nuclear power plant is now in the advanced stage of commissioning and it has become subject of animated discussions for several years ,with determined group of “environmentalists and activists” trying to stall the project at any cost. Several issues relating to safety of nuclear power plants have already been answered convincingly in several TV debates and print media. The problem is that the detractors listen to all the answers and put the same questions once again ! Let us confine to one issue that has been raised recently by the opponents of Koodankulam nuclear power plant relating to the so called “substandard equipment” . It is particularly sad that even a former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission , who was privy to several of decisions earlier when he served in Atomic Energy Commission , has thought it fit to make adverse remarks about the equipment installed in Koodankulam nuclear power plant , though he left the Atomic Energy Commission long back and certainly did not have the opportunity to inspect and test the equipment presently installed in Koodankulam plant himself. Any engineer would know that in all chemical, nuclear and other projects, all equipment and pipelines would be subjected to rigorous tests and trial runs before commissioning the project. If any inadequacies are found , they would be rectified. If one equipment fail the test, it would not mean that the project would be unsafe. The particular equipment would be replaced and re tested again. This is the normal practice and are called test runs and trial runs. Whether an equipment is inadequate or not would be known during the trial runs and this is not considered as a cause for alarm. If the whole project has to be scrapped if one part of the equipment would be found defective, then no project can be commissioned. These are all simple and well known matter and it is surprising that even such things have to be explained. It is also very well known that nuclear plants have extremely stringent safety procedures and have to be certified by another body who are not part of the project team and several times in the past, the approval have been denied for some facilities until they would be rectified If the former Chief of Atomic Energy Commission and now a bitter critic thinks that Koodankulam plant should be scrapped,there are number of other eminent scientists and technologists in India who are satisfied about this project. This include several former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and senior executives who worked for long years in Atomic Energy Commission as well as several scientists and engineers presently involved in designing and operating nuclear plants in India. The fact is (which has already been pointed out several times) that all nuclear plants in India are operating with excellent safety track record for several years. It has also been pointed out several times that many nuclear plants are in operation in the world in highly safety conscious countries in Europe and north America and more plants are being built in several countries today including Asia and Middle East countries There are well trained scientists and engineers involved in maintaining and operating the nuclear plants in India , who are as much Indians as the pledged critics and such scientists and engineers (some of whom are treated with high respect in developed countries) vouch for the safety of the Koodankulam plant. The country should have faith in the utterances and claims of scientists and technologists and that is how development of science and technology have taken place around the world. Particularly in the case of sophisticated and intricate technologies, which are difficult for lay man to completely understand, the views of the majority of scientists have to be accepted , without attributing any motives to them. Discussions with regard to topics such as Koodankulam nuclear plant cannot be carried out in the same manner as the vexed political and economic issues , when any one may think that they are competent to comment. It would be in the interest of India’s progress if the critics of Koodankulam nuclear plant, large number of whom are activists, ex bureaucrats and politicians, accept their limitations with regard to their understanding of technology issues and leave the matter to the wisdom and decision of the scientists, who are as much concerned about the safety issues and welfare of India as anyone else. HUGE DEFICIENCY IN NATIONAL GOVERNANCE The following three instances clearly indicate how poorly the India is being governed. 1. Around Rs. 15000 crores have been spent on Koodankulam nuclear power plant which is yet to be commissioned even after ten years of starting the construction activity. At the same time, Tamil Nadu where Koodankulam plant is located has power deficiency of around 4000 MW and on an average around 8 hours of power cut every day is imposed in most part of the state. Many small and medium scale industries in Tamil Nadu have been forced to close down due to want of power and thousands of semi skilled and unskilled workers belonging to lower income group have been rendered jobless. 2. Kochi LNG terminal is now ready for commissioning after protracted delay , with the investment of around Rs.4000 crores. But, the pipelines to transport the natural gas from the terminal to user industries are not ready. Therefore, the Kochi terminal, when it would be finally commissioned in July, 2013 can operate only at less than 15% capacity. No one is sure today as to when the laying of pipelines to transport gas from the terminal would be completed. 3. About 9000 MW of natural gas based power plants with investment of around Rs. 50,000 crores are stranded in various parts of the country due to inadequate supply of natural gas. Some of these plants have shut down , some are functioning below 30% capacity and a few others are generating power using other costlier fuels. The government has not been able to ensure supply of natural gas for these projects to operate them; even as huge investment have been made, the power projects have been completed and several states are reeling under serious power shortage scenario.RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TO PRODUCE ETHANOL FROM AGAVE
Agave is a plant which can be grown in marginal or desert land and therefore, it would not displace food crops.Agave can grow on hot dry land with a high-yield and has low environmental impact. Agave plants are found in all kind of soils, from shallow and eroded with steep slopes to flatter lands with better fertility conditions. Agave is distributed geographically worldwide. Agave fibers contain 65 percent to 78 percent cellulose. With new technology, it may be possible to breakdown over 90 percent of the cellulose and hemicellulose structures, which will increase yield of ethanol and other liquid biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass drastically. Traditional application Agave thrives largely in Mexico and is traditionally used to produce liquor such as tequila. Agave have also been used traditionally for fiber, food, medicine and building materials. Botanical traits and cultivation The agave plant is closely related to the lily and amaryllis families. Agave has a rosette of thick fleshy leaves, each of which usually end in a sharp point with a spiny margin. Following matters are discussed in this article- Competitive advantages of agave
- Applications
- Research efforts
- Comparative distilled ethanol production
- Cultivation and use in Mexico
- Agave plant in Australia
- Indian scenario
- Cultivation
- Process for natural rubber from Guayule
- Advantages of biorubber for guayule
- Bioprocessing technology for rubber
- Biofuel
- Products produced by Yulex corporation.
- Research grant
- Efforts of CIRAD
- Joint venture between Yulex and Versalis
- Process for ethanol from guayule developed by Albany
- Approval for rubber gloves from guayule
- R & D plans of Bridgestone
- India’s efforts to cultivate Guayule
- Prognosis
HCFC 125 - EMERGING REFRIGERANT
Chemical formula CHF2CF3 CAS number 354-33-6 Synonyms 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane, R-125, HCFC 125, HFC 125 Related to HFC group, R 125 is a refrigerant and it does not contain chlorine and refrigerant is fire safe. Physical/chemical properties Appearance: Colorless and Odourless HCFC 125 is electrically non-conductive, non-corrosive and leaves no residue. HCFC 125 is a refrigerant that has zero ozone depletion potential. Although it has zero ozone depletion potential, it has high global warming potential, reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as 3450 times that of carbon dioxide. Density of liquid (25 deg.C, g/cm3) 1.245 Vapour pressure (25 deg,C, Mpa) 1.371 ODP 0.00 GWP 3.400 Flammability: Non flammable Following details are discussed in this article- Comparison with other refrigerants
- Applications
- Process technology
- Global producers
- New project under planning in India
SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIALITY CHEMICAL CALCIUM D SACCHARATE
Calcium D-saccharate is calcium salt of D-glucaric acid. Glucaric acid is derived by oxidizing D-glucose with nitric acid. CAS No. 5793-89-5 Appearance White, odorless, tasteless, crystalline powder Molecular formula C6H8CaO8.4H2O Following details are discussed in this article- Product application
- Process
- Import/Export
- Indian producers `
- Production
- Prognosis
WISHFUL PRICE FORECAST FOR SOLAR POWER
Price of poly crystalline silicon and wafers which are used in the production of solar power modules have fallen by nearly three quarters in the last one year. Naturally, this has resulted in speculation in India that the cost of production of solar power would come down drastically. While it has already come down to a large extent, many solar players in India think that the price would further fall down and some have even gone to the extent of predicting that the price of solar power may become as low as Rs.4 per unit in the near future In the recent government bids under the Phase II of National solar Mission, some of the bidders are reported to have quoted solar power price of Rs. 6.50 per unit. However, it is doubtful as to whether such wishful thinking would materialise. It is necessary to keep in mind that the fall in the production cost of solar power has not been due to any significant technology advancement , though several technology initiatives are being made. The fall in the cost is only due to the fall in the price of poly crystalline silicon and wafers in recent times due to over capacity creation in China. Earlier, governments in Europe and USA provided subsidies to buy Chinese made solar panels as part of commitments to boost renewable energy. Such incentives created a glut of suppliers in China since 2010. Meanwhile ,debt crisis in Europe has forced European countries to cut government subsidies to the solar sector. U S imposed a 31% tariff on Chinese wafers, complaining that manufacturers in China were being underwritten by the Chinese government. Due to subsidy cuts in Europe, pace of progress of solar industry have slowed and orders for Chinese companies rapidly reduced. The price of poly crystalline silicon plummeted to below 20 US$ per kilogramme from more than 100US$ at one time. The above subject is dicussed in this article OVER VIEW OF INDIAN SOLAR POWER PROJECTS National Solar Mission – Targets Phase I II III Period 2010-13 2013-17 2017-22 Grid based capacity addition (MW) 1,100 4,000 20,000 Off-grid capacity addition (MW) 200 1,000 2,000 Target Promote off-grid applications + moderate grid capacity addition Aggressive grid addition through renewable purchase obligation (RPO) Aggressive capacity addition with reducing cost Solar collectors 7 million sq. feet 15 million sq. feet 20 million sq. feet Solar photovoltaic installations in India India has over 40 private solar players Cumulative installations in India: Over 1.2-GW Installations in 2012 was 980 MW, which was slightly lower than its forecast of 1,090-MW Delays in the commissioning of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects and States missing their renewable portfolio obligations (RPO) were cited as the main reasons for the shortfall. Expected installation in 2013 1.3 to 1.4 GW Following details are discussed in this article- Key issues
- Subsidy support
- Indian cell and module industry in dire straits
- Government policy on import of modules and cells
- Import dumping
- Irrational custom duty
- Views of Indian Solar Manufacturers' Association
- China's solar companies in Disarray
- Overcapacity issues in China and price fall
- Polysilicon Industry in China
- Strategies of Chinese industry
- Cost of solar power
- Forecast on price scenario for solar power
- Grid parity
POLYTRIMETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE PRODUCT PROFILE
Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) was first patented in 1941, but it was not until the 1990s, when Shell Chemicals developed the low-cost method of producing high quality 1,3-propanediol (PDO), the starting raw material for PTT, that enabled commercial production of PTT PTT has unique properties as compared to the other aromatic polyesters such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). The applications of PTT are to be found mainly in the textile industry. PTT fibers are claimed to be both soft and extremely stain resistant and have high strength and stiffness. Comparative properties PTT has slightly more power stretch and recovery than PBT and more thannylon 66, nylon 6 and polyester Type PTT Conventional polyester PBT Nylon 66 Tensile Strength (cN/dtex) 3.4 – 3.7 3.7– 4.4 3.5 4.1 – 4.5 Elongation at break (%) 36 -42 30 – 38 38 32 – 44 Initial Young’s modulus (cN/dtex 23 97 23 31 Tensile recovery from 20% elongation (%) 88 29 40 62 Specific gravity 1.34 1.38 1.34 1.14 Moisture regain (%) 0.4 0.4 0.4 4.5 Boil shrinkage (%) 14 7 15 13 Melting point ( deg C) 230 254 230 253 Glass transition point (deg C) 51 69 25 76 Weathering resistance Negligible loss of strength Negligible loss of strength Negligible loss of strength Moderate loss of strength Yellowing resistance (w/exposure to NOX-BHT, vanillin, and dry heat) Negligible yellowing Negligible yellowing Negligible yellowing Yellowing under some conditions Following details are discussed in this article
- Applications
- Process
- Technology developments
- Plant closures
- Important producers
- Scenario in China
- Global demand pattern
- New project
- Indian import
- Prognosis
UNCERTAINTIES FACING KOCHI LNG PROJECT
Kochi LNG terminal, costing around Rs. 4300 crores, is being built by Petronet LNG Ltd.(consortium of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), both of which are public sector enterprises. The terminal at Kochi is expected to meet the enormous demand of natural gas for power, fertilizers, petrochemicals and various other industries in the Southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka . Construction of LNG Receiving, Storage & Regasification Terminal at Kochi has been going on for more than four years now. The terminal was initially planned for a throughput of 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum. However, within the course of the project construction, it was decided to raise its capacity to 5 million metric tonnes per annum, in view of projected high demand potential of LNG in south Indian markets, thereby extending the project completion date from its earlier planned 2011. Several schedules announced in the past for the mechanical completion of the facility have not been adhered to. The earlier deadline announced was 2nd quarter of 2012 and the latest schedule is July,2013. User industries in Kerala not yet ready : Even if the mechanical completion of the terminal would be completed in the next few months and the procedures for receiving natural gas from foreign countries have been completed, the Kochi LNG terminal facility is facing huge uncertainty at the present time Follwing details are discussed in this article- The proposed LNG based power project at Kochi
- Proposal to use LNG for thermal power plant at Kayankulam
- Gas pipeline project in serious trouble:
- Delay in GAIL’s LNG pipeline project in Tamil Nadu
- Uncertain future of Kochi LNG project :
- Who is responsible ?
- Need for pragmatic approach from the governments and the project management
DEMAND GROWTH TREND FOR BIOTECH PRODUCTS FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
The biotechnology sector in India will achieve a revenue of $11.6 billion in 2017, growing at a CAGR of 22%, according to a recent report from Ernst & Young. The key growth drivers of the $4.3 billion industry include strong domestic demand for biotech products, growth in contract services, focus on R&D initiatives and strong government support for the sector, the report said. Industry comprises of five sub segments, out of which bio-pharma leads with a revenue share of 62%, followed by bio-services 18% and the bio-agri division with a share of 15% during 2012. The global biotechnology industry continued on a path of recovery in 2012 as public companies in the sector achieved top- and bottom-line growth for the third straight year, even while R&D spending remained under pressure at many companies. India provides cost advantages in drug discovery and development and will sustain its competitiveness as compared to other high-cost locations. R&D spending by public companies has grown by 5%, well below the 9% growth rate achieved in 2011. While expenditures remained strong at commercial leaders, pre-commercial entities substantially reduced R&D spending, the report said. "Therefore, pressure on global biotech players could result in them getting into arrangements or partnerships with Indian companies to leverage the cost advantage and technical expertise to optimize their R&D spend effectively," the report added.SHOULD NATURAL GAS BE PREFERRED FOR POWER OR FERTILISER INDUSTRY?
India produces less than 100 million standard cubic metres of natural gas per day (MMSCMD).Another about 50 MMSCMD is imported as liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, the immediate demand from various sectors and mainly from power plants can easily absorb another 100 MMSCMD. At present, gas-based fertiliser plants get top priority in allocation of scarce natural gas. They are followed by LPG-extraction units, with gas-based power plants placed third in the priority list. Today, priority gas allocation to fertiliser units is being questioned. Fertiliser plants use major part of gas as feedstock, unlike power plants which burn it as fuel. Following details are discussed in this article- Natural gas for fertiliser production
- Supply of natural gas
- Arguments in favour of gas for fertiliser sector
- Requirement of gas by fertiliser units
- Increasing import of urea
- Subsidy burden
- Fertiliser industry needs priority for gas allocation
ACQUISTION / MERGER - INTERNATIONAL
Acquistion / merger of following companies are dicussed- Symrise acquires Belmay’s fragrance activities
- Arkema acquires majority stake in AEC Polymers
- Clariant acquires nano-silver ink technology from Bayer
SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PAGE
Accidents occurred in the plants in USA and India are discussed- Explosion in fertilizer unit in Texas, USA
- Explosion at Gulf Oil Corporation in Andhra Pradesh
- Fire in DRDO lab
- Accidents in cracker units in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu
ANTI DUMPING PAGE
The antidumping measures introduced in the various countries in the last few weeks on the following products are discussed- Plaster boards
- Silicon metal
- M-dihydroxybenzene
- Soda ash
- Propane Dehydrogenation Projects In North America
- PDH Plant In Korea
- Sodium Cyanide Plant In Mexico
- Butadiene Scenario In Usa
- Chlorinated Pvc Projects Of Lubrizol
- Polyols plant in Singapore
- Nylon salt plant in Netherlands
- Polyphenylene sulfide JV in Korea
- Celanese, Pertamina JV for fuel ethanol
- Westlake acquires US PVC products business from Saint-Gobain
- Methanol plant in Louisiana
- Methanol capacity in New Zealand
- Paper chemicals
- Bromine expansion project in Jordan
- TDI / MDI
- Poly carbonate
- PET project in Sri Lanka
- US ethylene expansions
- China’s Major Ethylene Producers in 2011
- Strategies of Qatar Petroleum
- J&J’s licence to make baby powder cancelled
- Cove Point LNG plant to supply to India
- Hydrogen Sensor For Greater Safety
- Energy storage system
- Carbon Fiber Reinforced Graphite
- New material to soak up oil spills
- China Blacklists Chemicals On Environmental Grounds
- Phenol-acetone project
- Butyl acrylate
- Sinopec to build coal to gas project in Xinjiang
- Glyphosate Supply Deal Between Monsanto And Nufarm
- New genes for water use efficiency corn
- Coconut oil as bio fuel
- Rice bran oil replacing olive oil in Spain
- Bee-harming pesticides banned in EU
- Authentication system for medicines
- Insulin
- BHEL-NTPC-IGCAR Effort To Boost Efficiency Of Power Plants
- BHEL developing products to make solar energy cheaper
- Estimate on global Oil Demand Growth
- China’s wind power projects
- Bio gas for power in Tamil Nadu
OTHER ARTICLES
- Environmental Page
- Caffeine
- Price Details
- Crude Oil Price
- Ex-Factory Prices Of Chemicals In China during April 2013
- Tenders
- Chemicals Imported At The Chennai Port During The Month Of March 2013
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