Technical & Practical
Wireless Monitoring for Pressure Relief Systems
New diagnostic devices can identify when pressure incidents happen, while keeping an eye on the condition of pressure-relief valves and rupture disks Any kind of pressurized system, from the hot-water heater in a residence to a massive chemical reactor, will…
Combustible Dust Fires and Explosions: Recent Data and Lessons Learned
A review of recent data from the Combustible Dust Incident Database provides insights into dust-related process safety Fires and explosions in facilities that handle combustible dust remain an ongoing focus of process safety efforts across many areas of the chemical…
How to Troubleshoot and Maintain Pressure Regulators
Following a five-step process enables better outcomes for fluid system control Most often, operators and technicians will interact with components like ball valves or needle valves when adjusting a system’s operation. However, just as important to the effectiveness of a…
Determination of nozzle loads to facilitate the initial pressure vessel design
In pressure vessel design, use this procedure for determining the individual permissible flange loads for joints between pressure vessel nozzles and connected pipework At the initial design stage of pressure vessels with nozzles that are provided with standard flanges according…
Improve Energy Management to Reduce Your Facility’s Carbon Footprint
This article describes an approach that uses data analytics for finding and addressing root causes of process deviations that reduce energy efficiency in key plant utility systems, and shares three case examples Discussion about climate change has been taking place…
Technology Profile: Benzene Production from Pyrolysis Gas
This column is based on “Benzene Production from Pygas,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/benzene-production-cost. Benzene is the simplest and most important industrial aromatic hydrocarbon. It is a versatile petrochemical building block, and is an…
Cybersecurity: Building Resilience from the Inside Out
Cybersecurity is no longer a far-fetched concept relegated to science fiction or conspiracy theories. It is a major and growing global risk across all industry sectors Given the increasingly central role of digital technologies, data and connectivity, cybersecurity is widely…
Facts at your Fingertips: Filtration Process Design
Designing a new solid-liquid filtration process or optimizing an existing one requires consideration of a number of factors aside from the type of filter that will be used. This one-page reference reviews two groups of considerations: one related to equipment,…
Avoid Common Mistakes When Specifying Burner Management Systems
While some aspects of burner management systems may seem intuitive, overcoming misconceptions in their specification and design will help to elevate overall safety Boilers, burners, furnaces and fired heaters, along with any other fuel-burning equipment, are considered high-risk areas within…
Reduce Risk and Cost with a Lifecycle Approach to Process Safety
Better upfront planning and management can lead to safer, more productive processes throughout every phase of operation A standards-based approach to process safety — one that actively addresses risks across a plant’s lifespan — can lead to safer chemical processes,…