Conditional approval for Dupont, Dow merger in China; Evoqua, Duwel Group sign agreement

May 12, 2017

Dow, DuPont receive conditional approval for proposed merger China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) granted conditional regulatory approval of DuPont and The Dow Chemical Company’s proposed merger of …

Dow, DuPont receive conditional approval for proposed merger

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) granted conditional regulatory approval of DuPont and The Dow Chemical Company’s proposed merger of equals. The approval is conditional on DuPont and Dow fulfilling commitments to MOFCOM in connection with the clearance and falls in step with the progress the companies have made in securing global regulatory clearances for their pro-competitive merger.

Sales agency agreement signed with Duwel Group. Courtesy of Duwel Group

Duwel Group to support SeaCURE System sales

Evoqua Water Technologies signed a sales agency agreement with Duwel Group to market its SeaCURE® ballast water management system for countries in Northern Europe. The SeaCURE system can be configured to provide protection against marine growth in critical seawater systems, enabling compliance with discharge standards.

Molex collaborates with market leaders on new M12 standard

MolexPhoenix Contact, Murrelektronik and Binder announced a cooperation agreement to drive the standardization of M12 push-pull connectors. The connector, which can be used without tools, offers advantages during mounting work, especially in confined spaces.

Industry updates

ASCE publishes new standard on saturated hydraulic conductivity & stormwater impoundments guidelines

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issued new guidelines for calculating saturated hydraulic conductivity, permeability and porosity of fine-grained soils that can be used to refine or improve calculations of land subsidence, groundwater flow prediction and transport of dissolved solutes moving in groundwater. is the fourth in a series that enhances the probabilistic characterization and understanding of the behavior of a key groundwater parameter, the saturated hydraulic conductivity.

The new standard is designed to be a primary reference tool for environmental engineers, water resources engineers and anyone who uses hydraulics in engineering. The guidelines can be purchased through the ASCE Bookstore.

ASCE also  issued updated guidelines for stormwater impoundments designed as a resource for airport, road and other transportation systems. Guidelines were also issued for engineers, planners and owners considering stormwater impoundment solutions.

Standard Guidelines for the Design, Installation, and Operation and Maintenance of Stormwater Impoundments, Standards ANSI/ASCE/EWRI 62-16, 63-16, and 64-16, is the most up-to-date reference on the impoundment and naturally occurring treatment of stormwater. The new standards, gathered into a single volume, focus on local and regional impoundments that manage, treat and attenuate stormwater runoff, thus reducing the impact of stormwater on downstream areas.

ANSI/ASCE/EWRI 62-16 covers types of systems, regulations and permits, design requirements, safety, inflow hydrology, hydraulic design, routing and water quality. ANSI/ASCE/EWRI 63-16 discusses subjects such as contract documents, site investigation, installation and inspection. ANSI/ASCE/EWRI 64-16 focuses on operation and maintenance of stormwater impoundments, including O&M plans, water quality, periodic inspection and maintenance.

The guidelines can be purchased through the ASCE Bookstore for urban stormwater system or stormwater impoundments.

Smithfield Foods’ environmental achievements

Smithfield Foods Inc.  released the second installment of its 16th annual sustainability report. The Environment section features Smithfield’s focus in key areas, including continued reductions in natural resource demand and the addition of several environmental projects aimed at improving business performance and supply chain efficiency. The Environment section is the second of a multiphase release of the company’s 2016 Sustainability Report, which has been published each year since 2001.

George Barley Water Prize Stage 2 seeks applications

The George Barley Water Prize The prize, to be awarded in 2020, is currently in Stage 2 and is accepting applications through July 15 from those able to test and prove their phosphorus-removal capabilities in lab conditions for two weeks. Stage 2 is currently open to all organizations without any pre-assessment, qualification criteria or whether they submitted to Stage 1. In November, $80,000 will be awarded for Stage 2. To enter, applicants must first request a phosphorus standard and follow the submission steps, available here.

$4.24 million verdict in Pennsylvania drilling lawsuit tossed

A federal judge tossed a $4.24 million jury verdict and ordered a new trial in a lawsuit waged against Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., a natural gas producer in Pennsylvania, accused of contaminating the well water of two families. U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson cited "spare," "contradictory" and "frequently rebutted" testimony by other scientific experts presented by the plaintiffs and said there was no evidence presented that would justify such a high-dollar award. Judge Carlson also urged both parties to discuss settlement options with the aid of another judge.

The homeowners, who had leased the land from Cabot, allege that in 2008, water from their faucets became cloudy and foamy and developed a foul odor and taste, which caused them to suffer vomiting, dizziness and skin rashes. 

Source: U.S. News & World Report

KnowledgeBase offers educational materials for users of mechanical seals | FSA publishes 8th edition of handbook

The Fluid Sealing Association (FSA) launched a new website feature, KnowledgeBase, offering more than 35 files of content and videos to educate and inform users on product design and materials for construction as well as the proper specification, application and maintenance of the products. The content is developed and maintained by the members of the FSA Mechanical Seals Division as a service to manufacturers and users of mechanical seals. 

The Piping Expansion Joint Division of the (FSA has released the 8th edition of the Piping Handbook titled Piping Expansion Joints Technical Handbook. The revised handbook provides up-to-date compilations of construction standards and guides for specifying and purchasing non-metallic expansion joints and flexible pipe connectors. The handbook is based on the latest information on research, design and application of rubber (elastomer) expansion joints by engineers associated with the FSA’s Expansion Joint Division member companies. The handbook can be downloaded for free here.

ACM Technologies opens new regeneration plant

ACM Technologies opened a new state-of-the-art ion exchange resin regeneration facility in Gardena, California. Located in the South Bay section of Los Angeles, the new plant will enable West Coast customers to send in their spent ion exchange resins for regeneration and subsequent reuse. The resins are typically used to purify metal-bearing rinse waters, process waters and other closed loop operations, as well as wastewater treatment prior to discharge and groundwater cleanup.

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