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Users design safety instrumented systems to bring the risk of identified process hazards to within tolerable levels, using application-specific risk models, user inspection schedules, and safety data for the devices under consideration. A key problem when designing such systems is…
Many chemical process industries (CPI) facilities utilize high-pressure steam generators to produce both electricity and process steam. This technique is commonly known as combined heat and power (CHP). A popular approach in recent years has been to select a combined-cycle…
One of the most unsettling experiences in a company’s existence may be the surprise regulatory inspection by a representative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a State Environmental Agency. What if you refuse to let them in? What…
Propylene is typically considered a co-product in steam crackers and fluid-catalytic-cracking (FCC) processes, which are primarily driven by ethylene and motor gasoline production, respectively. Recently, most U.S. ethylene producers have shifted to lighter feedstocks due to the availability of low-cost…
Changing out used heat-transfer fluid is critical to the efficiency of a heat-transfer fluid system. A well-operated heat-transfer-fluid system can enable efficient production, fewer shut-downs, less maintenance time and lower costs. In order to maintain a sound heat-transfer system, it…
Temperature is among the most critical measurements in the chemical process industries (CPI) for operating safe and efficient processes. Because even a small error in temperature can lead to expensive consequences, accurate and reliable monitoring of temperature is required. Thermowells…
Piping leakage due to corrosion has the potential to cause catastrophic fires and damage to process equipment in petroleum refining and other chemical process industries (CPI) facilities. When such incidents occur, a large amount of damage and a long downtime…
To realize the best possible thermal efficiency, gas turbines should be integrated into chemical process industries (CPI) plants, but doing so can be difficult and requires special consideration. Specifically, in some CPI units, while the turbine’s shaft is driving an…
Supplying steam that meets process needs while protecting steam-system components, such as boilers and steam turbines (Figure 1), against scale, fouling and corrosion, requires purified feedwater (condensate plus makeup water). Depending on the steam pressure required, the specific approach of…