This column is based on “Propionic Acid Production from Propionaldehyde – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/propionic-acid-production-cost. Propionic acid (also known as propanoic acid) is a carboxylic acid commonly found in nature, mainly…
Ethylene is an important petrochemical, but it may contain traces of acetylene that can destroy the catalysts used in downstream processes. The separation of ethylene and acetylene is difficult, and the main method, distillation, is energy intensive. A potential alternative…
Genesis Network (photo) is a new system that provides site-wide operational awareness and supervisory control of heat-trace systems. Users can easily monitor, maintain and troubleshoot even the largest heat-trace systems that may include over 10,000 heat-trace circuits. The Genesis Network…
Airset regulators are seemingly simple devices, but care must be taken to ensure the right devices are specified, particularly in safety instrumented systems Chemical plants and other heavy industrial facilities typically contain many pneumatically controlled valves, actuators and instruments. Airset…
By carefully considering equipment and plant design in processes involving powdered materials, fugitive dust issues can be reduced significantly Powdered ingredients that unintentionally leak from equipment in a manufacturing plant are known as fugitive dust. The risks associated with fugitive…
The new Rosemount 8800 Quad Vortex flowmeter (photo) is specifically designed to meet stringent safety standards in environments and applications that require safety instrumented systems (SIS). The flowmeter is said to be the first in the industry with quadruple sensors…
Last month, this company introduced the new generation of its intrinsically safe 4G/LTE Android smartphone Smart-Ex 02 (photo). With a large 5-in. display and smart ergonomics, the Smart-Ex 02 is said to be the most advanced explosion-proof smartphone for Zone…
Storage tanks that are freely vented to the atmosphere are known as aboveground atmospheric storage tanks (ASTs). ASTs have a vertical cylindrical configuration and can be identified by the open vent nozzle on the tank roof. This one-page reference outlines…
Two new models have been added to this company’s Sitrans LR100 series of 80-GHz radar transmitters (photo). These high-frequency, compact transmitters deliver reliable measurements even in challenging environments. Sitrans LR140 features 4–20-mA simplicity and is configured via Bluetooth wireless technology…
The new NGMs 1–3 range of nitrogen generators (photo) features membrane technology and offers a highly efficient, compact and simple on-site solution for low-flow N2 requirements, with the added benefits of minimal maintenance and operational costs. There are three models…