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Processing & Handling

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Key Commercial Electrochemical Processes

Industrial electrochemical processes are critical to a host of chemical products across many industry sectors. Modern products of electrochemical processes include chlorine gas, sodium hydroxide, sodium chlorate, hydrogen, oxygen, aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, adiponitrile and others. This one-page reference provides…

Catalysis Fundamentals

Catalysis is among the most important chemical phenomena in industrial chemistry, as well as in many biological and research fields. This one-page reference provides a review of several of the fundamental concepts underlying catalysis. Catalyst basics A catalyst interacts with…

Hydrogen Production from Natural Gas

Hydrogen (H2) is an important chemical feedstock, mainly applied in the manufacture of ammonia and methanol, and for hydroprocessing operations in petroleum refineries. Also, since H2 is an energy carrier, it has been considered for stationary power and transportation applications.…

Facts at your Fingertips: Industrial Microorganisms

Evidence for human use of microorganisms in the production of valuable goods extends back thousands of years. Over the ensuing centuries, the use of microbes in industrial processes has grown steadily, and continues today. This one-page reference provides information on…

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Wastewater Sludge Centrifugation Before Drying

The decanter centrifuge is an important piece of equipment for sludge volume reduction prior to thermal drying. Understanding centrifuge operation helps manage drying energy costs Consecutive mechanical dewatering and thermal drying are integral parts of sludge management, lowering the sludge…

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Technology Profile: Onsite Enzyme Production

Enzymes are proteins synthesized in living cells that act as biocatalysts for specific reactions. However, enzymes must be applied under mild conditions, since they lose their catalytic activity when subjected to heat, organic solvents or strong acids and bases. Enzymes…

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Vacuum Drying: Basics and Application

Vacuum drying can be a useful tool for solid products that are heat-sensitive. Here are some guidelines for the selection and use of various types of vacuum dryers Drying is an essential unit operation in a variety of chemical process…

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A Primer on Rectangular Tanks

This type of tank is often preferred to cylindrical tanks when space is limited. Follow this guidance to calculate the relevant dimension and ensure safe construction With the increasing age of many chemical process plants, a challenge often arises when…

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Why Bad Things Happen to Good Steam Equipment

Accounting for an entire steam-trap population is crucial to avoiding safety incidents and sub-optimal production — high-priority consideration must be given to steam-system management Historically, steam systems have provided the most effective source of readily conveyable heat to industrial process…

Rotating Machinery: What You Should Know About Operational Problems

Follow this guidance to improve the operation, safety and reliability of rotating machinery in chemical process plants Troubleshooting problems in rotating machinery (such as compressors, pumps, steam turbines, gas turbines, turbo-expanders and more) can present difficult challenges during day-to-day operations…