From aeroplane wings to overhead powerlines to the giant blades of wind turbines, a buildup of ice can cause problems ranging from impaired performance all the way to catastrophic failure. But preventing that buildup usually requires energy-intensive heating systems or chemical sprays that are environmentally harmful. Now, MIT researchers have developed a completely passive, solar-powered way of combating ice buildup. The system is remarkably simple, based on a three-layered material that can be applied or even sprayed onto the surfaces to be treated. It collects solar radiation, converts it to heat, and spreads that heat around so that the melting is not just confined to the areas exposed directly to the sunlight. Read More
The petroleum industry in India has been on a constant vigil in the state of Kerala throughout the flood crisis to ensure continuous supply of petroleum fuels and LPG. Now the Central petroleum public sector companies have come together to donate Rs 25 crore to the Chief Minister’s relief fund as a helping hand to the state. On the behalf of the industry, the cheque of Rs 25 Crore was handed over to Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala, by Alphons Kannanthanam, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, in the presence of V Muraleedharan, Member of Parliament, Prasad K Panicker, executive director (Kochi Refinery), BPCL and representatives of Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. Read More
BASF said that it will launch two new smartphone apps from xarvio digital farming solutions. This will soon allow farmers to monitor the health of their crops and get recommendations for the application and dosage of crop protection products, helping them be more efficient and profitable. The forthcoming launch of the new apps across Asia will provide the region’s growers valuable new tools for improving crop yield and quality via digital technology. The first app, xarvio Scouting, helps farmers regularly inspect their fields and monitor plant health and signs of potential pest infestations using an advanced algorithm for problem identification. Read More
Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) is setting up a polyol/ propylene glycol/ mono-ethylene glycol petrochemical complex at the Kochi Refinery. This is located at Ambalamugal, Kerala in Southern India. The expansion is part of the state-owned company’s propylene derivatives petrochemical project under a Make-in-India initiative. Mechanical completion is expected during the first half of 2019. Petrochemical company BPCL has bought 170 acres (67 ha) of land adjacent to the refinery complex in Kochi. It plans to make polyols on the site, according to an environmental filing. The plant will have the capacity to produce 250 kt/year polyols, 100 kt/year propylene glycol and 140 kt/year mono-ethylene glycol. Read More
