Thermal oxidizers are pollution-control units designed to prevent process-generated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from entering the environment. Different technologies offer tradeoffs among initial cost, operating expense, complexity, emissions, fuel efficiency and destruction efficiency. This one-page reference provides information on selecting…
This column is based on “Acrylonitrile Butadiene Latex Production – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/nitrile-rubber-production-cost. Nitrile rubber (also known as NBR, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene latex, Buna-N) is a synthetic polymer…
This overview compares various sealing technologies, and points out advantages and disadvantages of applying different mechanical-sealing designs for caustic fluids Caustic applications in chemical plants can play havoc on the mechanical seals of rotating equipment. These applications can be difficult…
This pictorial guide illustrates some of the common problems that can occur with polymeric and elastomeric materials that differ from those that occur with metallic seals and components Failures of polymer (plastic and elastomeric) parts and their consequences can be…
Rupture disks are non-reclosing pressure-relief devices that protect vessels, such as reactors, from damaging over-pressurization (or vacuum) conditions. Temperature can affect rupture-disk burst pressures in ways that users should understand before ordering them (Figure 1). This one-page reference provides an…
This column is based on “Butyl Acrylate Production from Acrylic Acid and Butanol – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/butyl-acrylate-production-cost. Butyl acrylate, the butyl ester of acrylic acid, is among the most industrially…
Steam and condensate-return systems can be susceptible to unique forms of corrosion. This overview explains how to prevent or minimize such issues Steam is utilized for process heating and other applications at thousands of industrial plants in the chemical process…
Area electrical classification is a powerful tool for process safety. It is not, however, the only viable approach to a safe process Electrically classifying an area is a long-standing safety measure in the petrochemical and related industries. It is also…
This column is based on “Dimethyl Ether Production from Natural Gas and CO2 (Direct Method) – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/dimethyl-ether-production-cost. Dimethyl ether (DME) is the simplest aliphatic ether, containing only two…
Determining moisture levels in solid materials is important for product quality, handling properties and other considerations. Provided here is an overview of direct and indirect methods for measuring moisture in solids Water is ubiquitous and is unusually reactive because of…