The chemical process industries (CPI) are looking for ways to decrease and control costs, and mixing operations are not exempt from this belt tightening. But because mixing is vital to most chemical processes, it can’t be eliminated. As a…
Protect rotary valves and product with this monitoring system Coperion The RotorCheck system (photo) is based on a monitoring device that detects any metallic contact between the rotor and the housing. This contact may result either from the presence of…
The ever important aim of energy efficiency in the chemical process industries (CPI) is brought closer to its target by the practice of energy recovery in heat exchanger networks (HENs). When heat exchangers are designed to work together to exchange…
Liebelt Bi Watson McLaughlin Smylie Uwe Liebelt becomes president of BASF’s Paper Chemicals Div. (Basel, Switzerland). The current president, Ehrenfried Baumgartner, is retiring. Alchimer S.A. (Massy, France), a provider of nanometric deposition technology for semiconductor and electronic applications, names Erik…
The Witte Co. This salt-drying system recycles hot exhaust air Among a host of advantages, the bulk salt-dryer system (photo) from this company captures half of its hot exhaust air for recycling, which both reduces energy requirements and cuts the…
BASF to explore new production investment in Brazil March 10, 2011 — BASF is exploring opportunities for a new investment in Brazil for the production of acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The feasibility study will be completed…
Water systems are common in the chemical process industries (CPI). Mixing, heating, concentrating and evaporating water in these systems will often result in an accumulation of inorganic scale, which can markedly decrease process-system efficiency. Scale inhibitors are chemical substances that,…
Several case histories illustrate the benefits of identifying and correcting poorly designed reflux and product-handling systems Manufacturers of specialty chemicals are routinely required to reduce costs and increase the production of their high-value products. Specifically, competitive pressures from the developing…
Many individuals and organizations have made important contributions to the creation of inherently safer (IS) products, processes and process plants [1–3]. A brief survey of successful case histories shows that most reported applications relied on only a few of the…
Use this visual mapping method to assess functional qualifications A variety of factors — including a shift in the median age of workers worldwide and the impending skills shortage due to attrition and early retirements — have created a need…