Technical & Practical
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…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Predictive Maintenance Methods
Predictive maintenance (PdM) programs can provide advanced warning of equipment problems and potential failures. This one-page reference provides brief descriptions of six common predictive maintenance methods. Infrared thermography Continuous monitoring of equipment temperature over time has the potential to identify…
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…
Technology Profile: Production of EPDM Rubber
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber is a terpolymer elastomer derived from ethylene and propylene, along with small amounts of a non-conjugated diene as a third monomer (Figure 1). With a completely saturated polymer backbone, this random elastomeric copolymer exhibits…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Respiratory Protection Equipment Types
Chemical process industries (CPI) facilities often present a number of potential respiratory hazards, including airborne particles, toxic chemicals and low-oxygen environments, that may require the use of respiratory personal-protective equipment (PPE). This reference outlines the major categories for respiratory protection…
An Overview of Synthetic Filter Media
Many factors impact the performance of synthetic filtration media, from thread and weave styles to drainage and coverage considerations Under the broad umbrella of filter media, there are many synthetic media materials, including woven filter cloths, woven and non-woven fabric…
Technology Profile: Production of L-Lysine
Lysine (Figure 1) is an α-amino acid used in the biosynthesis of proteins. The compound contains an amino group and a carboxylic acid group. Under biological conditions, the amino group is protonated (–NH3+) and the carboxylic acid group is deprotonated…
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).…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Process Hazard Identification Methods
Process hazards analyses (PHAs) are structured reviews during the engineering design process intended to detect potential hazards that were not addressed by the design team. This one-page reference describes commonly employed PHA methods. PHA methods PHAs are often conducted or…
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…