Latest News
New flange monoblock with shutoff valve
The compact design of this new monoblock with flange connection (photo) integrates a shutoff valve to separate the process from the instrument side. The one-piece construction and the double sealing (metal and plastic), tested in accordance with BS6755/ISO 5208 leakage…
Keeping Valves Corrosion-Free
In all phases of a valve’s lifecycle — from fabrication to decommissioning and storage — corrosion protection is essential Corrosion can be a serious source of valve damage, and it can often result in costly leakage, failures and repairs or…
Advanced Analytics for Process Safety
A look at how advanced analytics facilitates and improves process safety efforts within the chemical process industries (CPI) Simply by the nature of some of the chemicals used and the associated complex processes involved, chemical plants can be hazardous. With…
Technology Profile: Producing Polylactic Acid from Corn
Polylactic acid (PLA, polylactide; Figure 1) is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester that is derived from a number of renewable starting materials, such as starch and sugarcane, via bacterial fermentation. PLA is semicrystalline or amorphous, rigid, resilient and an ultraviolet-light-resistant material,…
Specifying Severe-Service Valves for Urea Applications
To withstand the harsh conditions and potential safety risks encountered in urea agricultural applications and other severe-service processes, special consideration must be given to valve construction, performance and installation Severe-service valves (SSVs) are specially designed and manufactured for critical applications…
Enhancing Plant Safety Via Virtual ‘On-Site’ Visits
New developments in augmented reality can help plant operators fix critical issues while limiting the number of outside visitors entering the facility Reducing risk is an important goal for any plant or petroleum refinery to maintain the health and safety…
New Raman spectrometers provide IIoT connectivity
The Kaiser Raman embedded analyzer (photo) collects in-situ process measurements, enabling realtime process monitoring, optimization and control. With this continuous automation, users can maintain a continuous pulse on the safety, quality and efficiency of their operations — whether in laboratory…
Illuminate critical processes with these explosion-proof LED lights
The new explosion-proof Lumiglas Model USL08LED-EX (photo) is said to be the brightest sight-glass light available on the market at 50% brighter than its competitors. Employing LED light, Lumiglas delivers a service life that is ten times greater than typical…
Nigeria’s BUA Refinery awards polypropylene contract to Lummus
Lummus Technology (Houston) announced that its Novolen business has been awarded a polypropylene (PP) contract by BUA Refinery, a subsidiary of Nigeria's BUA Group, at their grassroots refinery in Nigeria. Lummus' scope includes the technology license for a polypropylene unit…
Eastman acquires nutrition-additives manufacturer in Spain
Eastman Chemical Co. (Kingsport, Tenn.) announced that it has acquired 3F Feed & Food, a European leader specializing in the technical and commercial development of additives for animal feed and human food. Located in Spain, 3F's business and assets are…