Feature Report
Root-Cause Failure Analysis of Heat Exchangers: From Postmortem to Prediction
This practical framework can help engineers transition their heat-exchanger diagnostics from after-the-fact investigation to continuous, chemistry-aware forecasting Chemical producers are pushing the limits more than ever. In addition to extending turnaround intervals from 3–5 years to 7–9 years, ethylene producers…
Effect of Orientation on Heat-Exchanger Performance
The importance of heat-exchanger orientation on process operations is illustrated using a real-world case study from an ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol plant The flow dynamics associated with the presence of both a liquid and a gas (or vapor) phase inside a…
Recovering Valuable Chemicals from Vapor Streams Using Absorption
Absorption can pull a high-value component out of an air stream and return it for reuse, often at a lower cost than destroying it Many chemical and biological processes produce a vapor stream that is primarily air, but contains a…
Extending the Life of Legacy Rotary Dryers
Rotary dryers are often in operation for many decades after their initial commissioning. This article provides a decision framework to consider whether to upgrade, repair or replace an aging rotary dryer Rotary dryers are fundamental to ensuring product quality and…
VOC Control: Solvent Recovery Versus Oxidation
Regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) are commonly used for abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but in some cases, solvent-recovery systems can realize significant economic and environmental benefits In the field of industrial air-pollution control, the regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) is…
Chemical-Resistant Polymers in Corrosive Applications
Fluorinated plastics can be used as internal linings in process-equipment components for highly corrosive applications in chemical processing, and material development has allowed conductivity and compliance with food-contact applications The industrial production of chemicals forms the foundation for a wide…
Volatility, Value and Visibility: Rethinking Raw-Material Strategies
Due to current global conditions, raw-material considerations — volatility in particular — are now being taken into account earlier, and integrated more intimately, into project planning and management strategies Over the past few years, raw materials have moved from the…
Recent Updates to Non-Metallic Piping Standards
As applications, risks and materials continue to evolve, it is vital that engineers stay abreast of revisions to the standards that govern non-metallic piping systems Recent advancements in standards developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME; New York,…
Drive to Zero Process Safety: Mapping Cultural Risk Factors
Proactive culture evaluation closes the gap between root causes and cultural factors to promote sustainable safety leadership while also preventing recurring accidents and chronic incidents Incident investigations commonly show that human factors have led to process safety issues. Yet, despite…
Troubleshooting an Ethanol Distillation Facility
This article made available to you by: The troubleshooting methods described here can help engineers to understand operational realities when “running blind” in complex distillation processes One of the most critical aspects in ethanol production is the distillation unit. Distillation…