New GS2026 bench-mounted box furnaces (photo) include a spring-assist vertical-lift door that allows for effortless loading and unloading even at high temperatures. The furnaces are controlled by an industrial control system that includes a Eurotherm temperature control, overtemperature protection and…
Removing solids from a stream of air or other gases is an important operation across virtually all sectors of the chemical process industries (CPI). In many cases, gas-solid separation is motivated by the need to reduce environmental impact and health…
The DJ level switch (photo) provides high- or low-point level detection of bulk solids. The DJ detector operates successfully on baghouses, cyclone separators and above airlocks. Consistent results have been achieved on chemical powders, minerals and many other granulated materials.…
This column is based on “Isopropyl Alcohol Production from Acetone – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/isopropyl-alcohol-production-cost. Isopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol) is a colorless and flammable liquid with a…
Methods for controlling reboilers in distillation towers are central to good reboiler operation and tower stability. Control valves can be located in the steam-inlet line or in the condensate-outlet line. This article updates guidance for key considerations and practices using…
Hena 50 (photo) and 70 are single-stage, oil-sealed rotary vane pumps that were developed for the demanding requirements of mass spectrometer systems. They achieve pumping speeds of between 32 and 59 m3/h, depending on their size and speed of rotation.…
Rare noble gases neon, krypton and xenon have unique properties and can be obtained from air, but the economics of isolating them at air-separation units depends on demand and pricing. This article provides information on their production and use The…
Controlling flow in gas-handling applications can present challenges because of the fluids’ compressibility. This article presents an overview of how compressible gases behave in response to interacting variables Gas-handling operations are common in almost every sector of the chemical process…
This overview of a number of different methods for handling spent acids will help operators select the technology most suited for a given application The most common pickling, leaching and passivation acids are the mineral acids: sulfuric, hydrochloric and nitric.…
The TDLS8100 probe-type tunable diode-laser-spectrometer (TLDS) realtime gas analyzer (photo) makes quick and accurate in situ gas-concentration measurements, eliminating the requirement for sampling and conditioning components in industrial process-heating applications. These capabilities support safety improvements, emissions reductions, optimization of fuel…