The usage of composite materials on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner project!

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The usage of composite materials on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner project!

The Boeing 787 makes greater use of composite materials in its airframe and primary structure than any previous Boeing commercial airplane. Undertaking the design process without preconceived ideas enabled Boeing engineers to specify the optimum material for specific applications throughout the airframe.

The result is an airframe comprising nearly half carbon fiber reinforced plastic and other composites. This approach offers weight savings on average of 20 percent compared to more conventional aluminum designs. Without preconceived ideas, Boeing engineers were able to specify the optimum material for specific applications throughout the airframe. The result couldn't be different: the 787 is 50% composites by weight and by 80% volume with each aircraft containing approximately 32,000 kg of CFRP composites.

Selecting the optimum material for a specific application meant analyzing every area of the airframe to determine the best material, given the operating environment and loads that a component experiences over the life of the airframe. For example, aluminum is sensitive to tension loads but handles compression very well. On the other hand, composites are not as efficient in dealing with compression loads but are excellent at handling tension. The expanded use of composites, especially in the highly tension-loaded environment of the fuselage, greatly reduces maintenance due to fatigue when compared with an aluminum structure. This type of analysis has resulted in increased use of titanium as well.

In addition to lowering the overall airplane weight, moving to a composite primary structure promises to reduce both the scheduled and nonroutine maintenance burden on the airlines. In total, the reduced risk of corrosion and fatigue associated with composites combined with the composite repair techniques described will lower overall maintenance costs and maximize airline revenue by keeping airplanes flying as much as possible!

Source:managingcomposites

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Avantium to Sell PEF to AmBev for Soft Drink Bottles

Avantium N.V., a technology company in renewable chemistry, announces that it has signed an offtake agreement with AmBev, the Brazilian brewing company, part of the AB InBev Group.

100% Plant Based and Recyclable Alternative to Plastic:

AmBev will purchase PEF (polyethylene furanoate) - a 100% plant-based and recyclable alternative to plastic - from Avantium’s Flagship Plant and will use it to make bottles for its soft drinks portfolio. Avantium is currently constructing the world’s first commercial plant for the production of FDCA (furan dicarboxylic acid) from plant-based sugars in Delfzijl, The Netherlands.

FDCA is the key ingredient for making the plant-based, highly recyclable plastic material PEF, which has superior performance properties compared to today’s widely used petroleum-based packaging materials. Avantium expects to open this FDCA Flagship Plant by the end of 2023, enabling the commercial launch of PEF from 2024 onwards.

Over the past year, AmBev and Avantium have worked closely together to develop multilayer bottles for AmBev soft drinks, where PEF is used as a 100% plant-based and recyclable high-barrier liner in PET bottles. In addition to the sustainability benefits, PEF also has excellent functional advantages, such as outstanding barrier properties. PEF’s oxygen barrier is ten times better than PET, and its CO2 barrier is sixteen times better. This not only leads to longer shelf life but also maximizes the taste and fizziness of the soft drink.

Karina Turci, sustainability manager of AmBev, comments: “AmBev is always looking to make a meaningful impact in the world. And to do so, 2020, we are committed to eliminating plastic pollution from our packaging in Brazil - by 2025. To accomplish this, AmBev is not only looking into recycling and reducing plastic use but is also investing in innovative sustainable solutions. Over the past year, AmBev has assessed PEF as a sustainable packaging solution for the soft drinks portfolio and we are impressed with the sustainability and performance characteristics of this innovative material.”

Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, comments: “We are delighted with the successful cooperation with AmBev, making PEF available for the soft drinks portfolio of AmBev in Brazil and Latin America. This opens up new geography and market for Avantium, accelerating the further adoption and growth of PEF. This partnership is a great example of our common understanding that bold action is the key to lasting positive impact for a sustainable future.”

Source: Avantium/omnexus specialchem

Mitsui and Teijin to Jointly Develop Biomass-derived BPA & PC Resins

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. and Teijin Limited jointly announced that they will become Japan’s first companies to develop and market biomass-derived bisphenol A (BPA) and polycarbonate (PC) resins, which will support efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout product lifecycles.

ISCC PLUS Certified:

The joint initiative follows Mitsui Chemicals’ receipt of ISCC PLUS certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), based on which Mitsui Chemicals will begin supplying biomass BPA produced with the mass-balance approach.

In the ISCC PLUS-certified mass-balance approach, materials are verifiably tracked through complex value chains, as in the case of biomass-derived raw materials being mixed with petroleum-derived raw materials to create products. Teijin also will begin developing and producing biomass PC resin using the same BPA.

In May 2022, Mitsui Chemicals acquired ISCC PLUS certification for BPA raw material used in PC resins. Mitsui Chemicals will now become the first Japanese company to produce commercial biomass-derived BPA offering the same physical characteristics as those of conventional petroleum-derived BPA.

Teijin will procure biomass-derived BPA from Mitsui Chemicals to produce biomass-derived PC resins possessing the same physical characteristics as the company’s existing petroleum-derived PC resins, which will allow these new biomass-derived versions to be used in commercial applications such as automotive headlamps and electronic components.

By expanding sales of products containing plastics produced through biomass conversion, the two companies aim to develop and produce more environmentally friendly products throughout their supply chains. Mitsui Chemicals, for example, is considering expanding its procurement network for bio-based hydrocarbons in order to provide stable supplies of related products to the market. The company, which is in the process of acquiring ISCC PLUS certification for biomass naphtha derivatives, has already received certification for phenol, acetone, BPA, and alpha-methyl styrene.

The aim is to acquire ISCC PLUS certification for all of the company’s phenol-chain products and then begin sales within fiscal 2023 ending in March 2024. Teijin also expects to acquire ISCC PLUS certification in the first half of fiscal 2023 and thereafter start commercial production of biomass-derived PC resins. Teijin plans to emphasize to customers that conventional petroleum-derived PC resins can be easily replaced with biomass-derived versions for more environmentally friendly products.

Source: Teijin

Union Minister Jitendra Singh unveils India's first Hydrogen fuel cell bus

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Jitendra Singh launched India's first indigenously developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus developed by KPIT-CSIR in Pune on Sunday.

At the event, Singh called Green hydrogen an excellent clean energy vector that enables deep decarbonization of difficult-to-abate emissions from the refining industry, fertiliser industry, steel industry, cement industry, and also from the heavy commercial transportation sector.

The minister informed the gathering that the fuel cell utilizes Hydrogen and Air to generate electricity to power the bus and the only effluent from the bus is water which could be the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation to date.

For instance, a single diesel bus plying on long-distance routes typically emits 100 tons of CO2 annually and there are over a million such buses in India.

Fuel Cell vehicles also give zero greenhouse gas emissions in stark contrast to diesel-powered heavy commercial vehicles which account for 12-14% of CO2 and particulate emissions.

He believes Hydrogen fuelled vehicles provide an excellent means to eliminate the on-road emissions from the heavy commercial transportation sector.

Singh further added the high efficiency of fuel cell vehicles and the high energy density of hydrogen ensure that the operational costs in rupees per kilometre for fuel cell trucks and buses are lower than diesel-powered vehicles and this could bring freight revolution to India.

Singh says India can pole-vault from being a net importer of fossil energy to becoming a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy and thus, providing global leadership in hydrogen space by becoming a large green hydrogen producer and supplier of equipment for green hydrogen.

Source:Livemint

L&T commissions a green hydrogen plant

 Indian engineering firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has commissioned a green hydrogen plant at its AM Naik heavy engineering complex in Hazira, Gujarat.

L&T informed that the production of green hydrogen based on an alkaline electrolysis process started on 20 August. The plant will produce 45 kilograms of green hydrogen per day, which will be used for captive consumption in the company’s Hazira manufacturing complex. 

The Green Hydrogen Plant is designed for an electrolyser capacity of 800 kilowatts (kW) comprising both Alkaline (380 kW) and PEM (420 kW) technologies. It will be powered by a rooftop solar plant of 990kW peak DC capacity and a 500kWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

As part of the first phase of the project, 380 kW alkaline electrolyser has been installed, while the 420 kW PEM electrolyser along with solar plant capacity augmentation to 1.6 MW peak DC, will be part of future expansion. 

Subramanian Sarma, whole-time director & senior executive vice president (Energy) at L&T, said: “We are proud that our engineers have set up the green hydrogen generation plant at Hazira complex and integrated it with the existing manufacturing shops for use of the green hydrogen.” 

“This initiative is in line with L&T’s climate leadership targets of Lakshya-2026 that will help reduce greenhouse gases footprint for us as well as our clients by approximately 300 tonnes/annum. We believe that green hydrogen is a promising alternative fuel, and this plant is a testimony that we are committed to creating a greener tomorrow.” 

The first phase of the project has been installed, tested, and commissioned. The scope involves the generation of high-purity green hydrogen (99.99 percent) and oxygen, and their captive consumption in the manufacturing shops. A blend of 15 percent hydrogen with natural gas will be used as a fuel, and oxygen will supplement the existing usage in cutting and welding applications. 

As part of its ESG commitments, L&T has pledged to achieve water neutrality by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2040. Making green hydrogen an integral part of its clean fuel adoption policy. 

L&T’s climate change, energy efficiency, and renewable energy programs are aligned with the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), released by the Government of India. The company’s programs are also being aligned to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ratified by the Government of India during the COP 21 – Paris Agreement.

Source:Offshore Energy

Shell Chemicals to Build Pyrolysis Oil Upgrader for Bio-based Feedstocks

Shell Chemicals announces a new investment that supports its plan to transition the chemicals park into a site able to serve the changing needs of our customers. Customers want more low-carbon products and products made using recycled material.

The investment marks the first major step in transitioning the park, within ten years, by increasing the use of circular and bio-based feedstocks, growing its offer of low-carbon products, and becoming net-zero emissions through the application of hydrogen and CCS.

Investment for Circular Chemicals:

To achieve these ambitions, Shell intends to invest billions in Shell Moerdijk's chemical complex over the next decade, subject to investment decisions and within existing capital allocation frameworks.

"As our customers demand more low-carbon and circular chemicals we are seeing the reinvention of the chemical industry. At Shell Moerdijk and across our global chemicals business, Shell is investing to be ready to meet our customers’ needs as they change," said said Robin Mooldijk, executive vice president, Shell Chemicals and Products. Shell Moerdijk will build a new pyrolysis oil upgrader unit that improves the quality of pyrolysis oil, a liquid made from hard-to-recycle plastic waste and turns it into chemical feedstock for its plants.

“We are working together to deliver on shared decarbonisation and sustainability goals,” added Mooldijk. “This pyrolysis oil upgrader investment is part of our commitment to developing the chemical recycling industry, which can turn hard to recycle plastics into new and useful products, helping society tackle the key issue of plastic waste.”

The new pyrolysis oil upgrader unit treats liquid made from plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled and would otherwise be incinerated. Expected to start production in 2024, the unit will have a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per annum, which is the equivalent to the weight of about 7.8 billion plastic bags; and supports Shell’s ambition to recycle one million tonnes of plastic waste in its chemicals plants by 2025. Shell will use the treated pyrolysis oil to produce circular chemicals which are the ingredients used in many end products that are all around us. The investment responds to growing customer demand.

"Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk wants to accelerate the energy transition, be a leader in the transformation of the Dutch chemical industry and grow by making more circular, low-carbon products for our customers and society. This comes with three major goals: net zero emissions within ten years, increasing the use of circular and bio-based feedstocks and doubling the number of chemical products by investing in new product lines.

Source: Shell Chemicals

Hyundai Motor among big three carmakers for first time

Hyundai Motor Group said Monday it ranked third globally in car sales in the first half of this year -- a first feat for the nation’s largest carmaker.

According to its sales data, Hyundai Motor Co., its luxury Genesis brand, and its smaller affiliate Kia Corp. sold a total of 3.299 million vehicles in global markets in the January-June period.

The sales figure is the third largest following Toyota Motor Group’s 5.138 million units and Volkswagen Group’s 4.006 million units.

Hyundai’s ranking jumped from No. 5 a year ago, outpacing Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and Stellantis Group which sold 3.14 million units and 3.019 million units in the first half, respectively.

While its global rivals were hit hard by chip shortages, Hyundai is said to have pulled through the crisis as it was able to secure enough chip supplies. Adding to that, the robust sales of its luxury Genesis cars and new electric vehicle launches also helped drive overall sales.

Genesis sold a total of 25,668 units in the US alone during the first six months, the brand’s best-ever sales in the all-important market.

Its EV models, including Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, performed well. Hyundai became the second-largest EV maker in the US with 27,000 units sold in the January-May period after Tesla, the world’s bestselling EV brand.

Despite its stellar performance, Hyundai’s first-half sales dropped 5.1 percent compared to a year ago, possibly due to supply chain disruptions and weaker consumer demands. Still, the drop was less severe considering its bigger rivals Toyota and Volkswagen saw 6 percent and 14 percent drops in sales during the same period. The Renault-Nissan alliance and GM also suffered 17.3 percent and 18.6 percent on-year losses in sales.

Source: Korean Herald

BMW fuel cell SUV to enter mass production as soon as 2025

BMW will start mass-producing and selling fuel cell vehicles developed jointly with Toyota Motor as early as 2025, sales chief Pieter Nota told Nikkei, outlining the German automaker's push into greener cars amid increasingly strict environmental regulations in Europe.

BMW unveiled the fuel cell iX5 Hydrogen concept car at the International Motor Show Germany in September 2021. Small-scale production of the sport utility vehicle will begin before the end of 2022, the company had previously announced.

FCVs can be refueled in three to four minutes -- much faster than a battery electric vehicle. Though BMW has not revealed the iX5's range, the model is equipped with two roughly 6-kilogram tanks to allow for long-distance travel.

"We see that hydrogen fuel cell technology is particularly relevant for larger SUVs," Nota said.

The iX5 is based on BMW's X5 SUV. BMW and Toyota have also jointly developed sports cars since partnering in 2013, released as the BMW Z4 and the Toyota Supra in 2019.

"We have various projects we work on with Toyota," Nota said, hinting at further collaborations with the Japanese automaker.

BMW will also accelerate its shift toward electric vehicles. It currently aims for 50% of groupwide new sales -- also including the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands -- to be electrics by 2030. EVs have been making up a larger portion of sales than expected, and "maybe if the current speed stays, we can reach that 50% one or two years earlier," Nota said.

Gasoline engine vehicles, including hybrids, are still expected to constitute around half of the group sales in 2030. "We are also keeping up our investment on the combustion engine side," Nota said.

"We do believe in the importance of various technologies -- battery electric vehicles, also hydrogen and efficient combustion engines -- because we don't want to put all our investment in one area," he said.

A protracted parts shortage looms large over BMW's strategy. EVs require more chips than engine vehicles, and automakers across the board are under pressure to secure enough of a supply.

BMW is responding to the challenge by securing long-term contracts to source chips used by its parts suppliers. It signed a contract with Inova Semiconductors and GlobalFoundries in late 2021 for smart-LED chips.

BMW is believed to be guaranteed millions of units a year under the deal. BMW plans to expand this approach both in terms of total volume and in the variety of semiconductors.

Big auto suppliers like Bosch and Continental have traditionally held significant buying power in Europe. But given the global semiconductor shortage, automakers cannot secure enough chips by relying solely on these suppliers, Nota said, explaining BMW's push to expand its own supply chains.

Source: Asia Nikkei