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Taking UV/O3 VOC treatment one cleaner step forward

Using ultraviolet (UV) radiation or ozone (or both) to oxidize air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a well-established treatment method in the chemical process industries (CPI). What is not so well known, however, is that for most…

DeNOx catalyst operates at lower temperatures

Professor Toru Murayama at Tokyo Metropolitan University (Tokyo, Japan; www.haruta-masatake.ues.tmu.ac.jp), in collaboration with Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., has developed a vanadium oxide catalyst that removes oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from fluegas generated by the combustion of heavy fuel oil…

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First bio-based FDME pilot plant opens

The world’s first pilot plant for manufacturing bio-based furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) began operating last month in Decatur, Ill. A collaboration between DuPont Industrial Biosciences (Wilmington, Del.; www.biosciences.dupont.com) and Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM; Chicago, Ill.; www.adm.com), the 60-ton/yr…

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Business News June 2018

Plant Watch Total and Sonatrach begin engineering studies for joint petrochemicals project May 11, 2018 — Total S.A. (Paris, France; www.total.com) and Sonatrach (Algiers, Algeria; www.sonatrach.com) will launch engineering studies for a petrochemical project in Arzew, Algeria. The project includes…

Transformations in Transit: Chemical Logistics Get Smarter

Digitalization, sustainability, security and safety are at the forefront of innovations in the logistics and supply-chain sectors Ensuring that chemical products reach the correct location at the correct time requires intricate networks of complex logistics and scheduling tasks where several…

Simplifying Integration of Modular Construction Projects

Plug-and-produce concepts for automating modular skids may solve integration challenges for modular construction projects Modular construction — both of facilities and process skids — has gained popularity due to its benefits, including speed of delivery and predictability of cost and…

Focus on Sensors

Hygienic optical sensor measures dissolved oxygen The Memosens COS81D hygienic optical sensor (photo) measures dissolved oxygen in fermenters and bioreactors that are used in the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and in drinking water and boiler-feedwater applications, as well. It…

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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…

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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…

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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…