Cover Story
Controlling Reboilers Heated by Condensing Steam or Vapor
Methods for controlling reboilers in distillation towers are central to good reboiler operation and tower stability. Control valves can be located in the steam-inlet line or in the condensate-outlet line. This article updates guidance for key considerations and practices using…
Gas Handling: Process Control for Compressible Flow
Controlling flow in gas-handling applications can present challenges because of the fluids’ compressibility. This article presents an overview of how compressible gases behave in response to interacting variables Gas-handling operations are common in almost every sector of the chemical process…
Rare Noble Gases: Production and Use of Ne, Kr and Xe
Rare noble gases neon, krypton and xenon have unique properties and can be obtained from air, but the economics of isolating them at air-separation units depends on demand and pricing. This article provides information on their production and use The…
Low-Cost Techniques for NOx Reduction
An understanding of the available NOx-reduction strategies will help engineers to select the best technique to improve the performance of their combustion processes Pollution due to oxides of nitrogen — frequently abbreviated as NOx — is regulated with varying degrees…
Turning Up the Heat on Valve Train Safety
Despite their nearly universal use in industrial combustion processes, valve trains are not widely understood. Here are some guidelines to help ensure their safe and effective operation Does your manufacturing facility have a smoke stack? If it does, it also…
Principles of Agglomeration: Pelletizing Processes
Pelletizing, a tumble-growth agglomeration process, offers many potential benefits to processors handling bulk solid materials. This article provides an overview of how agglomerate pelletizing works and the important elements that must be considered Pelletizing, a form of agglomeration (particle size…
Improving Bulk-Solids Conveyor Maintenance
Designing easier access to mechanical components in solids-conveying systems reduces maintenance costs and improves safety Virtually every vehicle on the road today is designed with an engine hood that can be easily opened for access to the engine, so mechanics…
Sustainability Snapshot: Making Practical Progress
In their own words, sustainability leaders from the chemical process industries provide insight about their practical success and ongoing goals in improving environmental performance Considerations about environmental sustainability are permeating all levels of the global economy, as companies realize that…
Elasticity for an Effective Cybersecurity Response
While no company wants to envision becoming the victim of a cyberattack, investing time upfront to craft an incident-response plan can provide a quicker path to recovery Cyberattacks are becoming a way of life — in both our personal, and…
Making Cybersecurity Training a Priority
All critical infrastructure segments are at risk for cyberattacks, but the unique integration of the chemical manufacturing sector into the global supply chain makes it an especially ripe target Defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), critical infrastructure…