The HT4P Safety Commander (photo) is an ergonomic device enabling users to securely hold and protect a human-machine interface (HMI) tablet, while providing power, networking and hardwired emergency stop (e-stop) and other operator interface devices. OEMs and automation designers can…
As process technologies — and their associated risks to workers — evolve, personal protective equipment must continue to push the boundaries in both functionality and comfort Personal protective equipment (PPE) — helmets, fire-resistant clothing, gloves, goggles and so on —…
Solvents are commonly used for performing photochemical reactions. Many of these solvents are toxic, and require additional downstream processing to purify the product and treat waste. Now, by combining light with mechanical energy in ball mills, researchers at Ruhr University…
The gas subcooled process (GSP) is a method for low-temperature separation of natural-gas liquids (ethane, propane) from natural gas. Depending on the current market prices of ethane and propane, gas processors extract ethane from the natural gas or reject it…
The recently developed 10,000-Gauss, rotating cleanflow magnet (photo) filters magnetic and paramagnetic particles out of poorly flowing, greasy powders in the food, pharma and chemical industries. The magnet rotor is composed of seven strong magnet bars, equipped with neodymium-iron-boron magnets,…
Viscosity is an important property for understanding the flow behavior of liquids, mixtures, emulsions, slurries and other materials in industrial processes. This one-page reference provides a refresher on conceptualizing viscosity. Intermolecular forces Viscosity is a measure of a material’s resistance…
Making the decision to change career paths from a technical role to a more managerial one can be difficult. Here are some considerations to take into account As a technically trained chemical engineer, career opportunities are very broad with respect…
Presented here is a description of the Open Process Automation Standard and a progress report on its implementation by industry Open Process Automation (OPA) is an end-user company-driven industry movement to transform the industrial control-system market from one that supplies…
With the intelligent Aquamat i.CF separator (photo), this company has redefined condensate treatment. Available for delivery volumes up to 90 m³/min, this new oil-water separator now comes equipped, for the first time, with the Aquamat Control internal controller, which undertakes…
Membrane filtration plants are often used in the food and dairy industry to separate or concentrate substances without thermal stress. Until now, cleaning-in-place (CIP) operations for this equipment was energy- and water-intensive, requiring three or four individual cleaning steps with…