Corrosion can never be totally stopped, but significantly slowing its progress can be achieved if analyzers rapidly detect out-of-spec conditions. For a prominent European chemical company, switching from slow electrolytic sensors to almost real-time moisture analysis has made a significant…
As part of its five-year investment to boost capacity and operational excellence within its global plastics additives business, BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) has awarded Emerson (St. Louis, Mo.; www.emerson.com) a multi-million dollar contract to modernize automation software and…
Processes involving extremely low temperatures present unique process design and safety challenges. This one-page reference outlines considerations for low-temperature operations. Direct contact Extremely low temperatures can rapidly freeze human tissue. Contact between a worker’s bare skin and a low-temperature vapor,…
The variety of rotating equipment used in chemical manufacturing creates the need for diverse maintenance methods. Using new techniques can greatly improve the reliability and performance of all types of rotating machines The processes that are required to manufacture chemicals…
The shift from reactive to prescriptive maintenance can be greatly aided by advanced digital tools and the implementation of an effective pilot program To be successful in today’s industrial business environment, companies in the chemical process industries (CPI) must maximize…
Note: This story is also available in a complimentary, full-screen version https://www.chemengonline.com/eh-modern-instrumentation-simplifies-maintenance/ Built-in diagnostics and condition monitoring improve maintenance, process reliability and plant availability Today’s modern world is steadily digitizing all our daily routines, but the majority of the chemical…
Step changes in condition-monitoring technology to achieve operator-driven reliability can be a reality for organizations of any size The chemical process industries (CPI) are like all others in that they must negotiate the twin challenges of maximizing productivity and opportunities…
Off-line lab measurements of pH are often used for process control instead of in-line measurements. But as a hot process sample cools, its pH can change significantly. Relying on pH measurement of ambient temperature samples can lead to inappropriate and…
Determining the field performance of centrifugal compressors can benefit operation and maintenance of the equipment. Presented here is an overview of the parameters that must be measured and calculated for effective testing Compressors are used in all areas of production…
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), rose 0.1 percent in March on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis, the first gain in five months. On a year-over-year…