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Column Internals: The Next Big Thing

When it comes to distillation trays and packing, chemical processors require the same criteria they seek from all equipment in this tight economy — technology that will reduce energy use and boost throughput without costly facility expansion. In an effort…

Calendar: June and July 2011

NORTH AMERICA AWMA Annual Conference & Expo. Air & Waste Management Assn. (Pittsburgh). Phone: 412-232-3444; Web: awma.org Orlando, Fla. June 21–24   BioPlastek 2011. Schotland Business Research (Skillman, N.J.). Phone: 609-466-9191; Web: bioplastek.com New York, N.Y. June 27–29   BIO…

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A comprehensive zeolite database

A team led by Rice University (Houston; www.rice.edu) researcher Michael Deem has assembled a database of 2.6 million possible unique zeolites — porous silicate minerals often used as catalysts or molecular sieves. The database of potential structures could inform efforts…

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Maximizing Performance In Size Reduction

Expect more in selection and scaleup, prediction of energy consumption and reliability Very seldom is a product of desired size manufactured directly in a process. Size reduction, coupled with screening (classification), is commonly used to achieve desired particle size. In…

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World’s first cellulosic biobutanol refinery to be built in Michigan, and more business news

  Plant Watch Strategic partnership for acrylonitrile and sodium cyanide in the Middle East April 29, 2011 — Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com), Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp. (Tokyo; www.asahi-kasei.co.jp) and Mitsubishi Corp. (Tokyo; www.mitsubishicorp.com) have signed…

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Reduce Gas Entrainment In Liquid Lines

A common practice in the chemical process industries (CPI) is to implement so-called value- maximization projects (VMP) to increase production or reduce production costs in order to increase profit margins. With such projects, one main objective of the design team…

Pearls of wisdom: ‘Bring back the old kettle’

There are many people working in a typical chemical process industries (CPI) facility. The individuals who work hands-on with the equipment — especially the experienced personnel — have a wealth of information that can make a huge difference in the…

Alarm controllers for up to 64 gas monitors

The new WX Series of gas-detection alarm controllers consists of three controllers: the WX4 (four-channel controller), the WX16 (16-channel controller) and the WX 64 (64-channel controller). The WX Series controllers are designed for continuous monitoring of up to four, 16…

Redesigned check valves feature a guided cone

The check valves type 561 and 562 have been redesigned and complement this company’s line of plastic valves. The standard cone check valve (type 561) seals with medium pressure. Type 562 is equipped with a spring, closes autonomously and can…

This positioner replaces solenoid valves and limit switches

The Type 3738 electronic valve position monitor is a contactless, magneto-resistive sensor system that works with a Namur signal in compliance with IEC 60947-5-6 and is powered by a two-wire supply. As a result, the positioner can replace existing solenoid…