The efficiency of steam-generating and distribution systems can be improved incrementally, but more substantial gains can be found using pinch analysis for better heat recovery When it comes to improving the energy efficiency of a thermal system, most industrial organizations…
Plant process modules are not a one-size-fits-all solution. These considerations can help determine the best size for your project With the growing recognition of the advantages of modular construction over traditional field construction [1, 2], it’s no surprise that an…
New packings and trays encourage effectiveness and energy efficiency in traditional and emerging applications Equipment for distillation, absorption, stripping, extraction and phase separation plays a major role in the chemical process industries (CPI). However, separation processes are notoriously energy intensive,…
Most modern chemical processes require some means of rejecting heat for maintaining process efficiency, product quality and plant safety. Examples of heat rejection include cooling crystallization liquid, cooling reactor effluent, condensing material from a distillation column and cooling steps in…
Understand and follow these tips to ensure accurate and reliable temperature values Even though electrical thermometers are used quite frequently in chemical process industries (CPI) plants, people often underestimate just how wrong the temperature displayed can be if these measurements…
A process commercialized by Fortera Corp. (San Jose, Calif.; www.forteraglobal.com) creates a cement product that reduces CO2 emissions by 70% on a ton-for-ton basis, and can be blended with conventional cement or used as a standalone material to make ready-mix…
E-Cracking Last April, BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com), SABIC (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com) and Linde Engineering (Pullach, Germany; www.linde-engineering.com) inaugurated the world’s first demonstration plant for large-scale electrically heated steam-cracking furnaces. Following three years of development, engineering, and construction work,…
Asphaltenes are an ultra-complex fraction of crude petroleum that comprise a diverse population of molecules that vary in size, solubilities, aggregation states and hetero-atom contents. Asphaltene buildup and deposits create many operational and safety issues, and can occur anywhere in…
Nucleic acid-based medications, such as mRNA vaccines, are opening up new therapeutic approaches. These active ingredients must be enclosed inside nanoparticles to ensure that they get to where they are needed inside the body’s cells. The Fraunhofer Institute for Production…
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the most significant byproduct of the beer-brewing industry, making up 85% of the total waste. Globally, about 36.4 million ton/yr of spent grain are produced. This spent grain is typically discarded after its primary use…