Fluid seals for chemical process equipment are commonly made from a host of elastomeric and plastic materials. Selecting a seal material requires careful consideration of several criteria. Presented here are short descriptions of the major criteria for seal selection and…
Pneumatic conveying is a ubiquitous mode of conveying bulk solids in a wide range of industries, including chemicals, plastics, grain, food, agriculture, mining, power generation and cement, among others. The flow patterns within conveying lines depend on the properties of…
A general overview of industrial photochemistry and the design of large-scale stirred-tank photochemical reactors Photochemical processes complement or may even substitute conventional (thermal) processes. The radiant energy initiates the reaction, for example by forming radicals, and in most cases, no…
Follow the guidance provided here to avoid many of the problems that can arise during the relocation of laboratory facilities The decision to move a laboratory from an existing space to a new research facility is often warranted. A merger…
The activated sludge process (ASP) is designed to speed up the rate of decomposition of waste material in water. First developed in 1914, it remains an important means of treating both municipal and industrial wastewaters. This one-page reference provides information…
This column is based on “Propylene Oxide from Propylene and Chlorine – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/propylene-oxide-e11a. Propylene oxide (PO) is a highly reactive commodity compound that serves as a starting material…
Corrosion is an obvious factor to consider when selecting materials of construction for process equipment. However, the chemical environment of the process is only the starting point in selecting an acceptable material. A set of other factors can complicate corrosion-resistance…
There are many factors to consider when selecting a flare system for CPI sites that can impact safety, operating costs and environmental performance Flaring has long proven to be an effective technology for disposing of gases that cannot be used…
A clean-in-place (CIP) system is among the largest users of consumables at a hygienic processing plant. Presented here are tips for reducing the consumption of water, chemicals and time in CIP operations In many industries there is a burgeoning awareness…
This column is based the report “LDPE via High-Pressure Tubular Process – Cost Analysis,” published by Intratec. It can be found at the following URL: www.intratec.us/analysis/ldpe-production-cost. Polyethylene (PE) is the world’s largest-volume commodity polymer, due in large part to the…