Within the chemical process industries (CPI), the need to design safety systems to prevent process failures from occurring, or to control them when they do, is well recognized, as is the importance of having confidence in the safety systems that…
Selecting the best air mover for a bulk-solids pneumatic-conveying application is a critical design decision. Provided here is information on three classes of air movers when dilute-phase pneumatic conveying is required In a typical bulk-solids pneumatic-conveying system, an air mover…
In low-temperature conditions, the use of compatible sealing materials is essential for leak-tight operation and proper functionality of pressure-regulating devices Harsh, frigid conditions are among the most challenging industrial environments (Figure 1) for fluid-handling applications. At these temperatures, it is…
Pumping hazardous chemicals requires specific shaft-sealing technologies to ensure containment and reliability Hazardous chemicals are defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; Washington, D.C.; www.epa.gov) as those that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Existing as gases…
To avoid problems with solids flow in bins and hoppers, the friction between the equipment walls and the flowing solids is an important factor to understand. Provided here is a review of flow patterns in bins and hoppers, and practical…
Understanding what technology is available is a first step towards selecting the right pump for metering applications Reciprocating metering pumps are problem solvers for difficult fluid-handling tasks and applications. Their main function is the metering of a precise fluid volume…
This column is based on “Ethanolamines from Ethylene Oxide and Ammonia – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at the following URL: www.intratec.us/analysis/monoethanolamine-production-cost. Ethanolamines are a family of compounds that are used as feedstocks for…
Lean workforces are the norm in current plant environments. In the context of heat exchange systems, the current situation amplifies the need to select a heat-transfer fluid supplier with the expertise and technical resources to handle non-routine circumstances. This one-page…
Tumble-growth agglomeration can reduce dust in solids-handling processes. Here’s how it works Handling and processing bulk solids appears in nearly every industrial sector, from energy to agriculture. Dust is a ubiquitous and challenging issue when working with bulk solids, because…
Five different examples are presented in which specialty mixers are used to perform tasks more efficiently than conventional approaches Specialty mixers serve a vast range of applications throughout the chemical process industries (CPI). The approach to mixer selection invariably starts…