Process-scale considerations construction materials

At industrial scale, careful consideration of the materials of construction for the bioseparation equipment is vital to ensure that the product does not become contaminated, by rust, for example, and also to assure long plant life with good reliability to maximize throughput. Materials that were suitable on a laboratory or pilot scale may no longer be appropriate, where the process and mechanical demands on the equipment may be greater. For example, the plant could be located outside where there are greater extremes of temperature in summer and winter, or equipment may need to be steam sterilized in situ rather than being autoclaved. 

In The Netherlands, Shell is operating a coal gasification pilot plant that has achieved considerable success. During the process no - or hardly any - air pollution occurs. The sulfur contained in the coal is released as elementary sulfur, while the residues are transformed into a vitreous, pearl-like material, suitable for several purposes in the construction industry. At present the cost of this gas, produced in The Netherlands, is approximately three times as high as that for natural gas. Only when applied on an extensive scale (probably not before 1986) will the price become competitive with those of the fuels in use today. 

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