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Technical & Practical

Facts At Your Fingertips: Cost Estimation and Risk

Understanding project risks is critical to arriving at useful cost estimates. Since each capital project in the chemical process industries (CPI) is somewhat unique, it can be difficult for engineers and project leaders to price risks in their estimates and…

Process Changes: Understanding and Mitigating Fire-and Life-Safety Risk Factors

When making a change in your process, do not overlook new potential hazards that may arise, as discussed here Large-scale chemical processing can be inherently risky. This is especially important to keep in mind when making changes to a process.…

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Technology Profile: Polypropylene Carbonate Production

This column is based on “Polypropylene Carbonate Production – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/polypropylene-carbonate-production-cost. Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) is a thermoplastic polymer produced from the catalyzed copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO2) and propylene…

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Reliable and Cost-Effective Solids Feeding

A holistic approach to bulk-solids-feeding installations can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations involving solids handling Many chemical processes involve the extraction of bulk solid materials at a controlled rate from a storage vessel for delivery into the process.…

Facts at your Fingertips: Heat-Transfer-System Maintenance During Slow Periods

Periods of reduced heat-transfer-fluid (HTF) system operation offer opportunities for mechanical integrity engineers to perform necessary maintenance. Here are suggestions for using the downtime for maintenance tasks. Safety These activities support ongoing safety of the HTF unit. Leak repairs. Repair…

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Technology Profile: Cumene Production from Benzene

This column is based on “Cumene from Benzene and RG Propylene (Zeolite Catalyst) – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/cumene-production-cost. Cumene (also known as isopropylbenzene) is an organic compound of the aromatic hydrocarbon…

Pressure Instruments: Avoiding the Harmful Effects of Hydrogen

Under the right conditions, the smallest atom can attack and disable sophisticated instrumentation. Understanding how this happens can help users avoid problems Engineers of a certain age may remember the childhood disappointment of a helium-filled balloon going flat overnight. This…

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Mechanical Pressure Gages in the CPI

In today’s digital age, there is still a need for mechanical pressure measuring instruments for safety, efficiency and economical advantages. Selecting the right type is described here Whether at work or at home, more and more areas of life are,…

Seal Considerations to Reduce Fugitive Emissions

By understanding the basics of industry standards, such as API 682, plants can make great strides in controlling fugitive emissions related to equipment seals Chemicals that unintentionally leak from equipment into the atmosphere are known as fugitive emissions. These gases…

Facts at your Fingertips: Cyclone Separators

Removing solids from a stream of air or other gases is an important operation across virtually all sectors of the chemical process industries (CPI). In many cases, gas-solid separation is motivated by the need to reduce environmental impact and health…