Following a five-step process enables better outcomes for fluid system control Most often, operators and technicians will interact with components like ball valves or needle valves when adjusting a system’s operation. However, just as important to the effectiveness of a…
While some aspects of burner management systems may seem intuitive, overcoming misconceptions in their specification and design will help to elevate overall safety Boilers, burners, furnaces and fired heaters, along with any other fuel-burning equipment, are considered high-risk areas within…
Better upfront planning and management can lead to safer, more productive processes throughout every phase of operation A standards-based approach to process safety — one that actively addresses risks across a plant’s lifespan — can lead to safer chemical processes,…
Petroleum refineries built in the 1960s and 1970s have trouble dealing with the corrosive effects of modern feedstocks. Continuous monitoring of corrosion can prevent process equipment failures Aging assets that are past their original design life are becoming an increasingly…
When it comes to selecting materials of construction, keep in mind the favorable properties of fluoropolymers for corrosive service Since its commercialization in the mid-1960s, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has been used across a variety of chemical process industries (CPI) sectors…
Many applications require accurate flowrate measurement for air or other gases. Installation requirements, calibration and maintenance are among the factors that must be considered when selecting a flow-measurement technology The measurement of air and other gases in manufacturing plants in…
Producing a perfect batch is easy for some products but harder for others. Using analytics to dig into production data can help operators identify where variability might be creeping into a process For many batch manufacturers in the chemical process…
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…
Understanding boiler performance calculations can allow engineers to improve the operation of their facility’s steam system and better engage with boiler-system vendors Chemical plants, petroleum refineries, power plants and cogeneration systems use oil-and-gas-fired steam generators, fluid heaters and waste-heat boilers…
A clean-in-place (CIP) system is among the largest users of consumables at a hygienic processing plant. Presented here are tips for reducing the consumption of water, chemicals and time in CIP operations In many industries there is a burgeoning awareness…