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PVDF: A Fluoropolymer for Chemical Challenges

When it comes to selecting materials of construction, keep in mind the favorable properties of fluoropolymers for corrosive service Since its commercialization in the mid-1960s, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has been used across a variety of chemical process industries (CPI) sectors…

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Effective Agitator Operation and Maintenance

Agitators play key roles in chemical processing. Their proper operation and maintenance can improve process reliability, leading to reduced downtime and costs Agitators, which are relied upon to dependably and cost-effectively meet production goals, are commonly used throughout the chemical…

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Integrity of Aging Assets: Using Corrosion Data to Stave Off Extinction

Petroleum refineries built in the 1960s and 1970s have trouble dealing with the corrosive effects of modern feedstocks. Continuous monitoring of corrosion can prevent process equipment failures Aging assets that are past their original design life are becoming an increasingly…

Recently Published Books for the CPI: July 2018

The following is a list of recently published books that may be relevant to different parts of the chemical process industries (CPI).   Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Environments: An Emerging Matter of Environmental Urgency. Edited by Eddy Y. Zeng, Elsevier…

Maintaining Heat-Transfer-Fluid Quality

Learning what can degrade heat-transfer-fluid quality can help minimize potentially negative effects Organic heat transfer fluids (HTFs) are robust workhorses that are quite stable both thermally and chemically. However, they can yield to attacks from powerful or sometimes even subtle…

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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…

Facts at your Fingertips: Seal material properties

Fluid seals for chemical process equipment are commonly made from a host of elastomeric and plastic materials. Selecting a seal material requires careful consideration of several criteria. Presented here are short descriptions of the major criteria for seal selection and…

ABB at ACHEMA 2018

Join ABB at ACHEMA 2018 to see how we are helping chemical companies cut costs, improve operations and minimize risk with our digital ABB Ability™ solutions. With over 50 years of experience, we work with chemical companies to transform operations…

Recently Published Books for the CPI: May 2018

The following recently published titles may be relevant for chemical process industries (CPI) professionals: Biomass as Renewable Raw Material to Obtain Bioproducts of High-Tech Value. Edited by Valentin Popa and Irina Volf, Elsevier Press, 2018, e-book, $31.50 per chapter. Dealing…

Petroleum Refinery Responsiveness: Issues Discussed at 2018 AFPM Annual Meeting

Responsiveness and adaptability — in the face of shifting market forces, new regulatory policy and natural disasters, among others — framed the discussions of U.S. petroleum refiners at the AFPM annual meeting Responsiveness and adaptability for U.S. petroleum refiners emerged…