The main function of the expansion tank in a heat-transfer system is to allow space for the heat-transfer fluid to expand as it is heated. A properly designed, installed and maintained expansion tank will support longer fluid and equipment life,…
Corrosion is a large and complex issue that is critical to the chemical process industries (CPI) as well as other industry sectors. Corrosion not only affects personal property like cars and homes but also affects commercial assets such as storage…
Among all the engineers who will be involved in the purchase of a mixer or blender next year, roughly half will welcome a change in their production method. The other half will be determined to prevent it. Searching for the…
Automated systems for batch weighing can improve overall product quality by raising the accuracy and consistency of the mixture compared to what can be achieved with the manual addition of pre-weighed bags. Automated batch-weighing systems integrate load cells with connections,…
The ability to model a process to see if it meets project requirements and is economically viable enhances the conceptual design. Modeling gives engineers a means to identify the most promising processes, in terms of capital investment and return, and…
Understanding the inherent limitations of current overpressure protection analyses is key to developing a more robust heuristic In designing and sizing relief-device and effluent-handling systems, one commonly overlooked aspect of the performance is examining the potential for low temperatures that…
After a serious accident at a chemical plant, petroleum refinery or other freestanding industrial facility, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB; www.csb.gov) may immediately initiate an investigation, often getting “in the air” while the emergency is still unfolding. The CSB…
One of the most energy-intensive utilities for many facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI) is the steam system. Traditionally, steam-use optimization has centered on efficient heat transfer and eliminating waste [ 1]. Further optimization can involve a broader look…
A gas flare is an elevated vertical conveyance found accompanying oil wells, gas wells, drilling rigs, petroleum refineries, chemical plants, natural gas plants and so on. Although modern flare systems are specifically designed to reduce the thermal radiation, pollution…
Throughout the chemical process industries (CPI), the need to drain a tank or process vessel arises. In batch-type plants, it is a regular occurrence and is one factor that affects the total cycle time per batch and ultimately the entire…