Asset management means different things to different people in the chemical process industries (CPI). Some take a holistic view in which equipment operations and maintenance, planning and scheduling and all other processing procedures fall under the asset management umbrella. Others…
Airborne contaminants can be identified within 2 – 3 s with a new sensor developed by researchers at the University of California-Santa Barbara and Stanford University (Calif.). The researchers have founded a company, SpectraFluidics, Inc. (Santa Barbara; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7369-539) to commercialize…
Corralling gigabytes of predictive maintenance data isn’t easy, but it’s essential for streamlining your process Plant maintenance is one of the disciplines in a chemical process environment that uses gigabytes of technical and operational data on a daily basis. Of…
By utilizing efficient scheduling software, companies in the CPI can improve enterprise agility and compliance In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of chemical processing, companies are constantly trying to keep up with the latest technology, while at the same time…
Researchers from the University of Glasgow (U.K.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7368-539) have designed a device that can detect pollutants, then generate its own electricity to power an early warning system. The self-powered sensor consists of a biosensor with genetically engineered microbes. When the…
Although current process simulators contain an extensive library of thermodynamic models and unit operations, they do not contain many new, complicated, or lesser known models. For many companies, particularly those in the petrochemical refining industry, it is very important to…
Liquid density is important to engineers throughout the chemical process industries (CPI). Knowledge of liquid density is required in the design of storage vessels. In hazard analysis, knowledge of liquid density is required in the design of the relief valves…
Although some CPI management may not realize it, PLCs (programmable logic controllers) are the brains behind many operations in the chemical process industries (CPI). A malfunctioning PLC can cause lines, plants and even operations such as city bridges and water…
In the chemical process industries (CPI), multiphase flow regimes in reactors, bubble columns, pipework and elsewhere in plants determine process efficiencies and safety. As a result, a considerable number of intrusive and non-intrusive techniques have been developed to recognize phase…
Make a leak-free seal, even for irregular flanges The proprietary Multi-Swell gasket material (photo) is said to be the world’s first self-loading, general-service gasket. The material creates its own load when it comes into contact with oil or water, which…