In cases where full containment of dangerous and hazardous chemicals is necessary, seal-less pumps can provide many safety and operational benefits To the average person, many of the raw materials that are commonly used in the chemical process industries (CPI)…
Understanding the nuances of low-temperature engineering is key to safe and efficient operations Extremely low temperatures — below –100°F (–73.3°C) — have many widely diverse commercial uses, from de-flashing of molded rubber parts on the plant floor to pristine storage of…
Selecting the right pressure, temperature, flow and level meters and connection systems can help to eliminate the need for heated enclosures and sensing lines In an environment where the ambient temperature can fall below –20°C, outdoor measurements can suffer from…
Precise combinations of valves and other equipment lead to process success. A biopolymer fermentation process provides an example of proper valve selection In chemical processes requiring automated control, a properly selected valve can make the difference between a mediocre outcome…
Prudent planning and scheduling during a project’s front end can lead to more expedient commissioning and startup activities The cost of starting up large new facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI; Figure 1) is a significant element in a…
Some of the many things to consider for the complex task of performing a column revamp are presented in this cover story Petroleum refineries, chemical-processing plants, natural-gas purification plants and other facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI) all contain…
Understanding the chemistry behind corrosion in condensate-return systems can aid in selecting and properly employing the best mitigation technique The importance of steam-condensate return systems to boilers in the chemical process industries (CPI) cannot be overemphasized, especially with regard to…
Accounting for an entire steam-trap population is crucial to avoiding safety incidents and sub-optimal production — high-priority consideration must be given to steam-system management Historically, steam systems have provided the most effective source of readily conveyable heat to industrial process…
Successful dispersion depends on a basic understanding of dispersion equipment and how dispersers should be used High-shear mixers typically operate at high rotational speeds and are used for mixing applications that are best described as dispersion processes. They can be…
The physical characteristics of dispersed particles have a large impact on overall rheological properties Many important products of the chemical process industries (CPI) exist as suspensions or dispersions of particles in liquid media. Examples range from adhesives, ceramics, paints and…