Technical & Practical
Avoiding SIL Misconceptions
Engineers must refine their foundational understanding of process safety in order to avoid common misconceptions about safety instrumented systems, including safety integrity level (SIL) definitions Learnings from major industrial process accidents occurring over the past half century have driven awareness…
Interpreting Normalized Profitability Metrics
Normalized profitability metrics provide a basis for comparing the efficiency of capital investments, but they are often misunderstood. New interpretations of these metrics can help engineers to make more informed decisions In a financial sense, a large capital project can…
Selecting the Right Thermodynamic Models for Process Simulation
Software that enables complex processes to be simulated continues to evolve for a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. Selection of the most appropriate models plays a crucial role in adequately representing real-life conditions One of the first and most important…
Technology Profile: Ethylene oxide production from ethylene
This column is based on “Ethylene Oxide Production from Ethylene – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/ethylene-oxide-production-cost. Ethylene oxide (also known as EO, oxirane and epoxyethane) is the simplest cyclic ether. Because it…
Facts at your Fingertips: Agglomeration Processes
Agglomeration converts fine powder particles into larger ones by introducing external forces. Major benefits for solids processors include dust reduction, easier handling, more complete utilization of raw materials and densification. Agglomerating particles happens by a variety of means, including mixing…
How a Waste Treatment Plan Can Improve Your Bottom Line
Although waste is unavoidable in industrial processes, many companies are turning toward business strategies that seek to treat waste with minimal environmental impact — or even better, prevent waste altogether In the past, waste was simply discharged without any treatment.…
Storage Tanks: Snapshots of Failures, Damages and Inspections
Lessons learned from past failures provide insight and know-how needed toinspect and operate storage tanks reliably Storage tanks are a common sight at many facilities of the chemical process industries (CPI). Tanks are part of our everyday life and they…
Standard ASME B16.5 Flanges: Bolt Tightening and Target Loads
Using the approach outlined here, piping engineers can select the most appropriate bolt-tightening technique based on pressure class and flange size, and calculate the required torque or tool pressure if hydraulic tensioning tools are used In the majority of industrial…
Technology Profile: Nitrile Rubber Production
This column is based on “Nitrile Rubber Production – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/nitrile-rubber-production-cost. Nitrile rubber (NBR), also known as Buna-N, is a synthetic rubber copolymer of 1,3-butadiene and acrylonitrile. The material…
Facts at your Fingertips: Pneumatic Conveying Challenges
Among the key benefits offered by pneumatically conveying bulk solids is the ability to route materials around obstructions in the plant using bends in the pipeline. However, these changes in direction involve a considerable number of particle impacts on the…