Seven methodologies are described to help operations staff take greater ownership of asset performance The definition of ownership — to act as an owner — implies certain responsibilities. Consider the range of behaviors demonstrated by individuals when it comes to…
The decanter centrifuge is an important piece of equipment for sludge volume reduction prior to thermal drying. Understanding centrifuge operation helps manage drying energy costs Consecutive mechanical dewatering and thermal drying are integral parts of sludge management, lowering the sludge…
Vacuum drying can be a useful tool for solid products that are heat-sensitive. Here are some guidelines for the selection and use of various types of vacuum dryers Drying is an essential unit operation in a variety of chemical process…
Targeted use of blanketing with inert gas offers an effective strategy for preventing combustible dust explosions in CPI facilities Combustible dust is a critical safety concern for the chemical process industries (CPI). The use of nitrogen gas as an inert…
Ensuring optimal performance of shell-and-tube heat exchangers requires knowledge of the controlling fluid, correct exchanger geometry and configuration, as well as proper fluid placement Satyendra Kumar Singh Simon India Ltd. Optimizing the thermal design of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger…
Applying dynamic simulation models to tube-rupture scenarios can help ensure more accurate sizing and hazard assessments Tube rupture in heat exchangers is an extremely serious issue in the chemical process industries (CPI; Figure 1). Heat-exchanger tube-rupture scenarios can be evaluated…
A wide range of factors must be taken into account before selecting the most appropriate reforming technology From the agrochemicals sector to steel production, from petroleum refineries to chemicals production — many sectors of the chemical process industries (CPI) would…
In today’s environmentally conscious world, industrial energy management is increasingly recognized as an essential business practice and economic necessity, rather than an on-again, off-again activity driven by energy prices and geopolitical crises. In this article, we examine the key elements…
Articles about thermal fluid systems often start with a variation of the statement that “thermal fluid systems typically require little ongoing maintenance for the first few years of operation” and then go on to extol the various advantages of indirect…
An understanding of instrumentation is valuable in evaluating and troubleshooting column performance Instrumentation is critical to understanding and troubleshooting all processes. Very few engineers specialize in this field, and many learn about instrumentation through experience, myth and rumor. A good…