For any capital-intensive and labor-intensive engineering and construction (E&C) project, the lead process engineer (LPE) plays a pivotal role. To maximize the success of these complex projects, companies that hire E&C companies should be aware of the role that the…
Steam thermodynamics Brad Buecker’s article, Steam Generation Thermodynamics (November 2010, pp. 44–47), was excellent — good information without getting bogged down with too much theory and formulae. I never had formal education in thermodynamics so some of the examples he…
Current industry syngas output has increased by 26% since 2007 — and by 50% since 2004 — reaching a current gasification capacity of 70,817 MWth of syngas output, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s (DOE; Washington, D.C.; www.energy.gov) 2010…
Given the state of the still-lagging economy, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the chemical process industries (CPI) are attempting to get more finished product from their existing processes at lower costs. As a result, many are examining their…
Atanasio Bloom Brandt Feng Mirgel John Atanasio becomes president and CEO of Alfa Laval USA (Richmond, Va.). Engineering and construction firm Integrated Project Services (Lafayette Hill, Pa.) welcomes Robert Roy, senior consultant, Jason Collins , senior process architect, and Louis…
Eurecat to build a new catalyst-processing facility in India January 4, 2011 — Eurecat SA (La Voulte, France; www.eurecat.com), a joint venture of IFP Investissements and Albemarle Corp., is constructing a new, catalyst processing plant in India. WIth an expected…
Piping integrity is always a major concern in the chemical process industries (CPI), but the level of concern elevates when piping is buried underground. Soil conditions not only exacerbate general external corrosion, but also increase the difficulty and cost of…
Buried piping — especially lines carrying hydrocarbons — shoulders many more risks in terms of plant safety and environmental protection than aboveground piping does. Leaks in buried pipes are much harder to detect and, yet, are no less catastrophic. Ironically,…
Throughout the chemical process industries (CPI), project owners often track key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure that all participants are able to attain or improve important performance objectives associated with their investments. For instance, for complex projects involving various contractors…
Chemical regulatory compliance is growing in complexity as product sourcing and formulations proliferate and organizations expand into new markets on a global scale. Staying current with the requirements of international regulatory initiatives such as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification…