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A Universal Equation for Designing Pipelines

The pipe-flow equation presented here can be used to properly and easily size pipelines for liquid, vapor and two-phase flow. Example calculations are also shown Sizing pipelines is a fundamental task for design engineers, who typically use several equations to…

Improving the Operability of Process Plants

Turndown and rangeability have a big impact on the flexibility and efficiency of chemical process operations  During the design of a chemical process plant, the main focus is on which process units or unit operations must be integrated to convert…

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A Pragmatic Approach to Powder Processing

Modern powder-testing methods can offer valuable insights into bulk material behavior and lead to efficient powder-processing solutions Process simulation is a powerful tool for engineers in the chemical process industries (CPI) and one that plays an important role in commercializing…

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Extremely Low Temperature Systems

Understanding the nuances of low-temperature engineering is key to safe and efficient operations Extremely low temperatures — below –100°F (–73.3°C) — have many widely diverse commercial uses, from de-flashing of molded rubber parts on the plant floor to pristine storage of…

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New Measurement Practices for Cold Climates

Selecting the right pressure, temperature, flow and level meters and connection systems can help to eliminate the need for heated enclosures and sensing lines In an environment where the ambient temperature can fall below –20°C, outdoor measurements can suffer from…

Engineering for Plant Safety

Early process-hazards analyses can lead to potential cost savings in project and plant operations The chemical process industries (CPI) handle a wide variety of materials, many of which are hazardous by nature (for example, flammable, toxic or reactive), or are…

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Lactic Acid Production via Glucose Fermentation: Technology Profile

Lactic acid is a naturally occurring chiral acid most commonly found in the L(+) form. Driven by a recent demand for more sustainable products, the lactic acid market has expanded beyond the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Currently, a major…

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Hot-oil heat-tracing systems for heat transfer

Hot-oil heat-tracing systems use liquid heat-transfer fluids to reliably deliver heat to process fluids. Heat tracing may be used in place of jacketed equipment, often at lower cost and with lowered risk of cross-contact. The use of liquids reduces many…

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Improving mass-transfer-limited reactions

The step-by-step procedure described here can help operators to optimize reactor operation and output Engineers throughout the chemical process industries (CPI) commonly encounter situations where different materials have to be contacted inside a reactor to drive the chemical transformations needed…

Things You Need to Know Before Using an Explosion-Protection Technique

Understanding the different classification methods is necessary to better select the explosion-protection techniques that will be used Explosion protection is essential for many companies, and those companies have decision makers. But before any decisions can be made, there are some…