Membrane polymers are packaged into a configuration, commonly called a device or an element. The most-common element configurations (figure) are tubular, capillary fiber, spiral wound, and plate and frame. Tubular Made from ceramic, carbon, stainless steel or a number…
Protecting process systems from overpressurization is vital throughout the chemical process industries (CPI). Both safety relief valves and rupture disks are commonly used for this purpose. Sometimes the combination of a relief valve with a rupture disk can add service…
Rupture disc devices provide overpressure protection for a variety of storage and process vessels and equipment. The objective of the rupture disc is to maintain a leak-tight seal and be a passive bystander until called upon to relieve excess pressure.…
Technical and specialty gases find use in many synthesis processes and a number of unit operations, in analysis and in plant maintenance. This article outlines applications for gases in fine and specialty chemistry, ranging from synthesis processes and inerting to…
Conveyor selection is always defined by the larger project that it is meant to serve. First, there is a broad range of performance factors that must be met. Meanwhile, health, safety and environmental considerations usually outweigh the costs involved. After…
This brief introduction to nanotechnology provides a basic understanding to those new to the field Most chemical engineers and chemists are aware of the recent excitement generated by nanotechnology, but many may wonder what all the fuss is about. Nanotechnology…
Eye injuries of all types occur at a rate of more than 2,000 per day in the U.S., and half of those occur in the workplace. In 2006, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported over 52,000 workplace injuries…
Friction Factor Fluid flowing through pipes experiences resistance due to viscosity, turbulence and roughness of the pipe surface. The Darcy-Weisbach Equation (1) is commonly used for the analysis of steady-state, Newtonian-fluid flow inside pipes. It summarizes the relations between frictional…
There is increasing pressure on industry to reduce both energy usage and the associated CO2 emissions. An important and profitable action that industry can take is to recover more process energy and thus improve the efficient use of that energy.…
The use of gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers has gained tremendous acceptance in the chemical process industries (CPI) over the past 20 years due to their high heat-transfer coefficients, compactness and low cost. However, it is important for the engineer who…