In an integrally geared centrifugal compressor (Figure 1), several impellers are mounted on the ends of high-speed pinion shafts, which are rotated by a bull-gear. Each impeller’s casing is mounted directly on the horizontally split gear casing. As is the…
Using gravity to initiate flow in the discharge of solid materials from bins and hoppers is the simplest, and often best, approach to solving solids-handling challenges. However, not all solid materials flow well by gravity alone. The propensity for fine…
The International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference and Exhibition is taking place May 6–8 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. Featuring a large expo hall and a variety of technical sessions, as well as some hands-on…
Pressure variations resulting from the oscillatory flow patterns found in positive-displacement machinery, especially reciprocating compressors, are referred to as “pulsations.” Found in both liquid- and gas-handling systems, pulsations are a common phenomenon in the chemical processing industries (CPI). Operational problems…
Adjustment and control of moisture levels in solid materials through drying is a critical process in the manufacture of many types of chemical products. As a unit operation, drying solid materials is one of the most common and important in…
Plant Watch ExxonMobil to construct butyl rubber and hydrocarbon resin plants in Singapore March 6, 2014 — ExxonMobil Chemical Co. (Houston; www.exxonmobilchemical.com) plans to build facilities to manufacture halobutyl rubber and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin at its petrochemical complex in Singapore.…
A dual-sensor temperature transmitter with HART protocols Invensys Foxboro The RTT80 temperature transmitter (photo) offers signal reliability, longterm stability, high precision and advanced diagnostics. The RTT80 is a mid-tier, two-wire temperature transmitter available with HART (and soon to be released…
About thirty years ago, my golf foursome learned an important safety lesson and we credited the Dalai Lama. We were all big fans of the movie “Caddyshack.” In that movie, Bill Murray’s character talks about caddying in the Himalayans for…
Plant Watch SNC-Lavalin wins contract for sulfuric-acid project in Saudi Arabia February 7, 2014 — SNC-Lavalin Inc. (Montreal, Quebec, Canada; www.snclavalin.com), in consortium with Sinopec Engineering Group, has signed a contract with Ma’aden in Saudi Arabia to provide engineering, procurement,…
Festge Kerin Schuster DiBiano Self Novasep (Pompey, France), a supplier to the life sciences industry, welcomes Thierry Van Nieuwenhove as president of the company’s synthesis business unit. Robert Kumpf becomes CTO of specialty chemicals producer Elevance Renewable Sciences (Woodridge,…