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Chementator Briefs
FCC catalyst BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) recently launched Borotec, the newest evolution of its resid-oil fluid-catalytic-cracking (FCC) catalysts portfolio. Borotec is the latest innovation using BASF’s unique Boron-Based Technology (BBT) platform to provide mild- and moderate-resid-feed FCC units more…
Business News – May 2017
Plant Watch LyondellBasell announces HDPE technology license in Dalian April 12, 2017 — LyondellBasell’s (Rotterdam, the Netherlands; www.lyondellbasell.com) Hostalen ACP process technology was selected by Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Chemical Co. for a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) unit to be built in…
Refineries Explore IIoT Tools to Maximize Profits
New IIoT- and cloud-enabled digital tools and services give petroleum refiners new avenues to increase profitability and safety, but also require greater attention to cybersecurity While several forces are creating conditions in which U.S. petroleum refiners can thrive in 2017…
The Financial Benefits of Water Treatment
Due to the rising costs of water use and disposal, improved treatment technologies make economic sense While chemical processors think of themselves as just that — makers of chemicals — they don’t often consider themselves players in the water industry.…
Focus on Powder and Bulk-Solids Handling
Bulk-bag discharge unit has low headroom requirements This patented system (photo) is custom designed for the safe discharge of product into the user’s process. It features several stainless=steel features, including the Flo-Lock discharge spout-closure system, which is said to quickly…
Facts at Your Fingertips: Pressure-Based Level Measurement
Liquid-level measurement in storage tanks or other vessels is important for avoiding spillage and process upsets. One class of technologies for liquid-level measurement involves measuring the pressure exerted on a gage by the weight of the liquid, and this one-page…
Technology Profile: Ammonia Production from Natural Gas
This column is based on “Ammonia Production from Natural Gas – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/ammonia-production-cost. Ammonia (NH3) is among the most important industrial chemicals, produced by reacting nitrogen and hydrogen in…
Implementing an ‘Integrity Operating Window’ Program
An effective Integrity Operating Window (IOW) program — which establishes safe operating limits and acceptable limits of process variation before an asset begins to degrade — can help operators stay ahead of potential repairs and reduce risk A comprehensive asset-integrity…
Storage Tanks: Heating and Cooling System Design
Various heating or cooling options are described here, along with the factors and design parameters that need to be considered. A sample calculation regarding coils is included Tanks constitute important equipment in the chemical process industries (CPI). Various types of…
Proper Use of Conventional PRV Discharge Coefficients
In order to correctly size pressure relief valves (PRVs), a robust understanding of discharge coefficients for vapor, liquid and two-phase flow is crucial A pressure relief valve (PRV) is used to prevent the pressure in a process vessel from exceeding…