Methods for controlling reboilers in distillation towers are central to good reboiler operation and tower stability. Control valves can be located in the steam-inlet line or in the condensate-outlet line. This article updates guidance for key considerations and practices using…
This column is based on “Isopropyl Alcohol Production from Acetone – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/isopropyl-alcohol-production-cost. Isopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol) is a colorless and flammable liquid with a…
The following recently published books may be of interest to chemical process industries (CPI) professionals: Smart Manufacturing: Applications and Case Studies. Edited by Masoud Soroush, Michael Baldea and Thomas Edgar, Elsevier Press, 2020, 525 pages, $200.00. Analytical Design of PID…
Key U.S. chemical industry metrics will be lower this year, according to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) Mid-Year 2020 Chemical Industry Situation and Outlook. Production volumes, shipments and capital spending will fall due to economic and business…
According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemstry.com), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) fell by 2.0 percent in May following a 2.7 percent decline in April and a 0.9 percent decline in March. During May,…
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes rose 1.4 percent in May, an improvement from the record 12.5 percent drop in April and declining activity since January. Of the 28 specialty chemical…
Clariant Catalysts (Munich, Germany; www.clariant.com) is expanding its high-throughput R&D center in Palo Alto, Calif. Thanks to a significant investment, the upgraded facility is fitted with the latest high-throughput equipment, and will be home to an expanded team of technical…
Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland; www.clariant.com) and Ineratec (Karlsruhe, Germany; www.ineratec.de) have entered into a partnership to develop and commercialize novel technologies for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. Clariant will provide its extensive catalysis expertise and broad portfolio of synthesis…
Altivia Oxide Chemicals, LLC, an affiliate of ALTIVIA Petrochemicals (Houston; www.altivia.com), today announced that it has acquired KMCO (Crosby, Tex.; www.kmcollc.com) and its associated chemical ethoxylation manufacturing assets in Crosby, Texas. The facilities, located on 160 acres near Houston, include…
Removal of dissolved ions from industrial process water, boiler feedwater or wastewater is a common challenge for facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI). Ion exchange (IX) systems offer one possible solution for demineralization, purification or wastewater-treatment applications. Ion exchange…