Drones are quickly entering the chemical processing space as more companies begin to embrace their use for inspection and monitoring tasks There is no doubt that drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hold many promising opportunities for the chemical process…
Both new and traditional technologies simplify and improve the temperature-sensing process Temperature is cited as the most frequently measured variable in chemical processing plants. As a result, there is no shortage of instruments available and the offerings run the gamut…
Chemical engineers bring many essential skills to the diverse teams required for successful control room design In any continuous manufacturing plant in the chemical process industries (CPI), engineers need to consider control room architecture and design as part of their…
Hardware improvements and service programs add more value to today’s control valves Chemical processors demand reliability, safety and efficiency when selecting control valves. As a result, there have been significant advances to the equipment, including the use of better materials…
The following is a list of selected recently published books that may have interest to professionals in the chemical process industries (CPI). Standards and Typical Specifications for Tray-Type Dearators, 10th ed., by the Heat Exchange Institute (HEI), www.heatexchange.org, 2017, $150.…
Integrated console, virtual-reality simulation offers learning for maximum, measurable training efficiency Modern techniques are being used for realistic plant training for control room operators, field operators, and operations and maintenance personnel. Simulator training has been shown to result in better…
An overview of how the chemical process industries are looking to the IIoT to help form new business models in a competitive environment Today, technological advances are being made and implemented at an accelerated pace that is quickly changing the…
Predictive process models enable more efficient operations and higher-value products When they hear the words “process modeling,” some may envision an engineer sitting in front of a laptop waiting for a distillation column flowsheet to converge. While flowsheet simulations are…
Modern control systems for chemical processes can generate frequent alarms. This one-page reference provides information on common alarm-management metrics, which can foster focused remedial actions and ultimately lead to a safer, better-performing plant. Alarm frequency As alarm frequency increases, an…
After Purdue University noticed that the water and sewer costs for their Biochemistry building were running quite high, a subsequent investigation showed that the building vacuum system was the cause of the high bills and massive water consumption. Purdue University…