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Feature Report

Rotary Drying: Developing a Process in a Test Setting

Testing not only illustrates proof of process and provides other critical assurances, but it also reveals the parameters necessary to reliably yield consistent results Drying is an integral tool in pretreating and finishing bulk solids, which helps producers to meet…

Ethernet-APL: The Future of Field Connectivity

Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL) provides connectivity between field-generated data and enterprise systems. Presented here is information on the design and operation of this rapidly expanding technology Process plants today have vast amounts of data available at the field level…

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Materials of Construction: Stainless Steel Versus Nickel Alloys

Nickel alloys have long been the default choice for demanding applications in the chemical process industries (CPI). A new grade of stainless steel offers an alternative Demanding chemical engineering applications, such as plate heat exchangers (PHEs; Figure 1), tubing, pipes…

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Improve Energy Efficiency Using Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are an efficient way to provide space and process heating. Information on their types, and how to assess their potential benefits is provided here Approximately 40% of the energy that is used in buildings in the U.S. goes…

An Ounce of Prevention: Cybersecurity and the CPI

As the frequency and sophistication of industrial cyberattacks continue to rise, chemical companies can follow guidance from industry and government directives to help define their organization’s specific cyber-risk profile Cybersecurity risk is a key topic for all companies, due, in…

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A Primer on pH Measurement

Understanding the basic principles of operation and construction designs of glass membrane sensors can help in choosing the right pH sensor One of the most critical measurements in liquid chemical processing is pH. In this article, the importance of the…

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Gas Trapping Can Unsettle Distillation Columns

Operational troubleshooting guidance is provided for several scenarios involving trapped non-condensable gases in distillation towers Non-condensable gases are often present in distillation towers, either expectedly or unexpectedly. When they do appear, or when the quantity of non-condensable gases varies from…

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Centrifugal Pumps:When to Repair, Replace or Modify?

When a pump operates inefficiently, or fails all together, the challenge is to make the most economical decision on how to remedy the situation. Some guidance is provided here Centrifugal pumps are widely used throughout the chemical process industries (CPI).…

Optimizing Vapor Recovery from Storage Tanks

Light hydrocarbons in storage tanks can vaporize and vent to the atmosphere, creating harmful emissions. An optimized vapor-recovery unit can effectively and economically reduce such emissions In the chemicals, petroleum refining and natural gas industries, storage vessels are used to…

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If Data is the New Gold, Where to Start Digging?

In a data-overloaded environment, companies may struggle to fully reap the benefits of Industry 4.0 technologies. Understanding data utilization can help transform process datasets into decision-making assets The chemical process industries (CPI) have been realizing for some time that information…