Cover Story
Guidelines for Designing a Compressed Air System
With the proper knowledge, engineers can work alongside compressor manufacturers to ensure that an optimal air compression system is installed There are various factors to consider when designing a compressed air system that help to improve the reliability and efficiency…
Bubble-Cap Tray Vapor Turndown
The concept of tray stability can apply to bubble caps and be used as an alternative method to determine the minimum efficient capacity of these devices. A new stability correlation for bubble-cap trays is proposed and checked against FRI data…
Experimental Validation of Distillation Column Simulations
A practical look at the need for validation, as well as conceptual considerations and a case study This article addresses the need for experimental validation of computer-generated distillation column simulations , and discusses the main concepts involved with experimental validation.…
The Road to Commercialization: Best Practices
Experts share their best practices in process commercialization Every day, scientists and engineers in the chemical process industries (CPI) work on innovative ideas, seeking the ones that can be turned into successful commercial products and processes. Many factors help determine…
Cost Engineering: Time Value of Money
Deciding whether to put a project on the fast track entails risks. Some observations are presented here to help minimize risks and maximize profits Time is money!” my mother used to tell me, whenever she caught me reading comic books…
Cost Engineering: Integrating Technology and Economics
The Process Synthesis Model presented here is a methodology that integrates technology and economics, thereby improving process design and reducing costs Broadly, the chemical process industries (CPI) are comprised of companies in the chemical, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical, household and personal-care…
Industrial Crystallization for the CPI
This overview presents the traditional and emerging types of continuous crystallizers Crystallization is an important technique for the purification of solids in the chemical process industries (CPI). The operation can be performed batchwise or in continuous operation, and is used…
Confronting Issues in Industrial Crystallization
Reliable information about industrial crystallization can be difficult to find and to apply to new situations. The work process outlined here will help engineers approach crystallization challenges Project and plant engineers frequently face issues with crystallization processes, but often possess…
Feeder Design for Solids Handling
Processes involving the movement of bulk solid materials require careful consideration of the feeder equipment design, including how the feeders work with various bins and hoppers The importance of feeder design in maintaining reliable material flow in solids handling processes…
Choosing Agglomeration Equipment
A product’s intended use often dictates what type of agglomeration equipment should be used. Presented here is a discussion of the main types of equipment and methods for forming agglomerates Agglomeration is the process of converting fine powder particles into…