Processing & Handling
Technology Profile: Sodium Chlorate Production
This column is based on “Sodium Chlorate Production – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/sodium-chlorate-production-cost. Sodium chlorate (NaClO3; also known as chlorate of soda) is an odorless inorganic salt with colorless crystals and…
Pipe Supports: Challenges and Solutions
Pipe supports in industrial process plants are often more complicated than commonly thought. Presented here are some of the challenges that can arise and how to address them On one level, the topic of pipe supports seems like it should…
PEMA and Kansas St. University Bulk Solids Innovation Center form partnership
The Process Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (PEMA; Falls Church, Va.; www.pemanet.org) and the Bulk Solids Innovation Center (BSIC; bulk-solids.k-state.edu) at Kansas State University today announced the establishment of a partnership. “PEMA members will have access to unique educational, consulting and testing…
Technology Profile: Polypropylene Carbonate Production
This column is based on “Polypropylene Carbonate Production – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/polypropylene-carbonate-production-cost. Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) is a thermoplastic polymer produced from the catalyzed copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO2) and propylene…
Reliable and Cost-Effective Solids Feeding
A holistic approach to bulk-solids-feeding installations can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations involving solids handling Many chemical processes involve the extraction of bulk solid materials at a controlled rate from a storage vessel for delivery into the process.…
CPI Bookshelf: September 2020
The following is a list of recently published books with relevance to the chemical process industries (CPI): Trevor Kletz Compendium: How his Best Process Stories are Still Relevant Today. Andy Brazier, Fiona MacLeod, David Edwards and others, Elsevier Press, 2020,…
Making CO-rich syngas while avoiding carbon formation
Haldor Topsoe A/S (Lyngby, Denmark; www.topsoe.com) has developed a new technology, called ReShift, that can utilize a significant amount of CO2 for making synthesis gas (syngas; H2 + CO) without the traditional challenge of carbon formation. “CO2 addition in HyCO…
Facts at your Fingertips: Heat-Transfer-System Maintenance During Slow Periods
Periods of reduced heat-transfer-fluid (HTF) system operation offer opportunities for mechanical integrity engineers to perform necessary maintenance. Here are suggestions for using the downtime for maintenance tasks. Safety These activities support ongoing safety of the HTF unit. Leak repairs. Repair…
Technology Profile: Cumene Production from Benzene
This column is based on “Cumene from Benzene and RG Propylene (Zeolite Catalyst) – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/cumene-production-cost. Cumene (also known as isopropylbenzene) is an organic compound of the aromatic hydrocarbon…
JDA to advance conversion of syngas to ethylene
A recently announced joint development agreement (JDA) between Enerkem Inc. (Montreal, Que.) and NOVA Chemicals (Calgary, Alta.) is aimed at developing recycling technology to allow difficult-to-recycle plastics (specifically #3–7 polymers), as well as other municipal solid waste (MSW), household waste…