In lubricated systems, varnish and deposits can form on metal surfaces as lubricant oils degrade, often leading to inefficient operations and equipment failure. There are many chemical cleaning products to break down varnish, but the effectiveness of these compounds in…
Aluminum is used for a number of applications because it is lighter than iron and easy to machine. However, Al is usually alloyed with Cu, Mg or other elements for improved strength. Developing such alloys that maintain their strength at…
Follow the practical tips discussed here to accelerate hydraulic revamp projects and increase the success rate Conducting a thorough hydraulic check is a crucial part of a successful plant revamp. Depending on the remaining margin of the hydraulic system, a…
An intelligent approach to developing the scope of retrofit projects can allow facilities to remain competitive in the marketplace and meet regulatory requirements Timely and well executed retrofit projects are critical for most facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI)…
Contracting a pilot plant is a viable approach for any organization. However, it can be fraught with potential issues, which need to be understood and addressed in advance Reduced in-house resources have limited the options many organizations have for designing…
Improved understanding of differential pressure (DP) flowmeter operation, along with best calibration practices, reduces maintenance errors Utilizing an orifice plate installed in a pipe and accurately measuring the differential pressure (DP) to calculate flow is one of most common methods…
Storage tanks containing hazardous materials require safety instrumented systems (SIS) to prevent overfills. Digital technology in the latest level-measurement devices used in SIS enables remote proof-testing, which provides significant advantages At industrial facilities with tanks containing hazardous, flammable or explosive…
In some situations, it might be necessary to remove or replace a bolt during operation. This article shows how to determine the proper bolt load to prevent leaks Bolted flange joints (Figure 1) are part of pressure vessel and piping…
Here are recently published books with relevance to the chemical process industries (CPI). September 2021. Engineering of Power Plant and Industrial Cooling Water Systems. By Charles F. Bowman and Seth N. Bowman, CRC Press, 2021, 174 pages, $71.96. 2021 Guide…
Special considerations must be made for loading expensive solid catalyst materials into fixed-bed and tubular reactors Most units in the chemical process industries (CPI) use complex and expensive heterogeneous catalysts aimed at improving reaction performance. Although sometimes overlooked, the solids-handling…