Technical & Practical
Solids Discharge: Characterizing Powder and Bulk Solids Behavior
How shear-cell testing provides a basis for predicting flow behavior Powder jams are the once-in-a-month catastrophe that can bring processing operations to a standstill. Whether it’s erratic flow behavior or complete stoppage of solids discharge, the consequence is the same.…
Extremely Low Temperature Systems
Understanding the nuances of low-temperature engineering is key to safe and efficient operations Extremely low temperatures — below –100°F (–73.3°C) — have many widely diverse commercial uses, from de-flashing of molded rubber parts on the plant floor to pristine storage of…
New Measurement Practices for Cold Climates
Selecting the right pressure, temperature, flow and level meters and connection systems can help to eliminate the need for heated enclosures and sensing lines In an environment where the ambient temperature can fall below –20°C, outdoor measurements can suffer from…
Engineering for Plant Safety
Early process-hazards analyses can lead to potential cost savings in project and plant operations The chemical process industries (CPI) handle a wide variety of materials, many of which are hazardous by nature (for example, flammable, toxic or reactive), or are…
Lactic Acid Production via Glucose Fermentation: Technology Profile
Lactic acid is a naturally occurring chiral acid most commonly found in the L(+) form. Driven by a recent demand for more sustainable products, the lactic acid market has expanded beyond the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Currently, a major…
Improving mass-transfer-limited reactions
The step-by-step procedure described here can help operators to optimize reactor operation and output Engineers throughout the chemical process industries (CPI) commonly encounter situations where different materials have to be contacted inside a reactor to drive the chemical transformations needed…
Hot-oil heat-tracing systems for heat transfer
Hot-oil heat-tracing systems use liquid heat-transfer fluids to reliably deliver heat to process fluids. Heat tracing may be used in place of jacketed equipment, often at lower cost and with lowered risk of cross-contact. The use of liquids reduces many…
A Pragmatic Approach to Powder Processing
Modern powder-testing methods can offer valuable insights into bulk material behavior and lead to efficient powder-processing solutions Process simulation is a powerful tool for engineers in the chemical process industries (CPI) and one that plays an important role in commercializing…
The Integral Role of Waste Management in Capital Projects
To avoid unnecessary efforts and mitigate risks, all phases throughout the design and implementation of large capital projects should incorporate comprehensive planning for waste management Proper waste-management planning and execution during all phases of a large capital project in the…
Green FDCA Production
Concerns over limited supplies of petroleum-based feedstocks, coupled with the global issue of climate change, have increased demand from consumers and companies for more sustainable products. In this economic environment, chemical and polymer production from renewable resources is increasingly viewed…