Operations & Maintenance
Steam Balancing: The First Step in Steam Optimization
The ability to achieve an optimal steam balance can help to improve the overall thermal cycle efficiency of any steam-production system In any chemical process plant that produces steam, carrying out a steam balance is the most efficient way to…
Facts at your Fingertips: Seal material properties
Fluid seals for chemical process equipment are commonly made from a host of elastomeric and plastic materials. Selecting a seal material requires careful consideration of several criteria. Presented here are short descriptions of the major criteria for seal selection and…
ABB at ACHEMA 2018
Join ABB at ACHEMA 2018 to see how we are helping chemical companies cut costs, improve operations and minimize risk with our digital ABB Ability™ solutions. With over 50 years of experience, we work with chemical companies to transform operations…
Recently Published Books for the CPI: May 2018
The following recently published titles may be relevant for chemical process industries (CPI) professionals: Biomass as Renewable Raw Material to Obtain Bioproducts of High-Tech Value. Edited by Valentin Popa and Irina Volf, Elsevier Press, 2018, e-book, $31.50 per chapter. Dealing…
Precision Grouting: Setting the Foundation for Equipment Reliability
A clear understanding of grout material properties is important to ensure that equipment is effectively protected against vibration and misalignment Reliability of critical rotating equipment depends first and foremost on maintaining precision alignment. This requires a robust foundation under the…
Petroleum Refinery Responsiveness: Issues Discussed at 2018 AFPM Annual Meeting
Responsiveness and adaptability — in the face of shifting market forces, new regulatory policy and natural disasters, among others — framed the discussions of U.S. petroleum refiners at the AFPM annual meeting Responsiveness and adaptability for U.S. petroleum refiners emerged…
The Unrecognized Problems of Relocating Laboratories
Follow the guidance provided here to avoid many of the problems that can arise during the relocation of laboratory facilities The decision to move a laboratory from an existing space to a new research facility is often warranted. A merger…
Torque Limiter Technologies for Rotating Machinery
Torque overloads can cause serious problems for rotating machinery, but an understanding of torque limiting technologies can help engineers to enable more reliable operations Reliability, safety and productivity are key terms that come to mind when considering manufacturing plant operations,…
Facts at your Fingertips: Corrosion Complications
Corrosion is an obvious factor to consider when selecting materials of construction for process equipment. However, the chemical environment of the process is only the starting point in selecting an acceptable material. A set of other factors can complicate corrosion-resistance…
Digitalization: What does it deliver today… and tomorrow?
Digitalization, properly deployed, has been proven by ABB to cut capital and operational expenditures up to 30 percent by accelerating and optimizing decision-making. By 2025, further savings and performance improvements are expected from people working collaboratively with artificial intelligence. Colin…