Technical & Practical
An Overview of Gas Flow Measurement
Many applications require accurate flowrate measurement for air or other gases. Installation requirements, calibration and maintenance are among the factors that must be considered when selecting a flow-measurement technology The measurement of air and other gases in manufacturing plants in…
Avoid Safety Pitfalls During Plant Expansion and Modification
Follow this guidance to minimize risk when adding or modifying plant equipment In 2015, construction in the chemical process industries (CPI) soared. Capital spending surged 18.4% and 255 new chemical production projects were announced, according to the American Chemistry Council…
Liquid-Gas Coalescers: The Effects of Retrograde Condensation
Modeling and pilot testing can minimize its impact during natural-gas processing Retrograde condensation (RC) occurs in multi-component natural-gas streams at relatively high pressures (for instance, pressures above 40 barg/580 psig). The presence of condensed liquids in such systems can have…
Photochemical Processes in Stirred Tank Reactors
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…
Tech Profile: Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate Production
This column is based on the report “Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate Production – Cost Analysis,” published by Intratec. It can be found at the following URL: www.intratec.us/analysis/sles-e11a. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (also known as SLES and sodium laureth sulfate) is…
Improving Data Analytics in Batch Manufacturing
Producing a perfect batch is easy for some products but harder for others. Using analytics to dig into production data can help operators identify where variability might be creeping into a process For many batch manufacturers in the chemical process…
Facts at your Fingertips: Seal material properties
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…
Steam Balancing: The First Step in Steam Optimization
The ability to achieve an optimal steam balance can help to improve the overall thermal cycle efficiency of any steam-production system In any chemical process plant that produces steam, carrying out a steam balance is the most efficient way to…
Facts at your Fingertips: Pneumatic Conveying Flow Patterns
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…
Performance Prediction for Industrial Boilers
Understanding boiler performance calculations can allow engineers to improve the operation of their facility’s steam system and better engage with boiler-system vendors Chemical plants, petroleum refineries, power plants and cogeneration systems use oil-and-gas-fired steam generators, fluid heaters and waste-heat boilers…