Processing & Handling
Flooded Condenser Controls: Principles and Troubleshooting
Flooded condensers are the prime tower pressure-control methods for total condensers that generate only liquid products, and although these control methods can be troublesome, a good understanding of their principles will help achieve improved, trouble-free operations Pressure is the most…
Technology Profile: L-lysine HCl Production from Glucose
Amino acids are the basis for all proteins and are considered building blocks of life. Among them, lysine (biologically active in its L-stereoisomer form) is one of the essential amino acids not synthesized biologically in the body. In this context,…
Maleic Anhydride from n-Butane (Fixed-bed Process)
By Intratec Solutions Maleic anhydride (MAN) is a multifunctional chemical intermediate with applications in several fields of the chemical process industries (CPI). Its major end use is as feedstock in the production of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR). In addition, maleic…
Chemical Process Plants: Plan for Revamps
Follow this guidance to make the most of engineering upgrades that are designed to improve plant operations or boost throughput capacity The chemical process industries (CPI) are functioning in an era of globalization, and between the prevailing economic conditions and…
Large-Scale Fermentation Systems: Hygienic Design Principles
Fermentation has always been an important part of human history. Human beings are known to have made fermented foods since Neolithic times. With the discovery of microorganisms in the 19th century, fermentation became a viable route to produce synthetic chemicals…
Safety in Sulfuric Acid Storage Tanks
Commonly used in the CPI, sulfuric acid requires many special precautions to ensure its safe handling and storage Sulfuric acid, sometimes called the “king of all chemicals,” is widely used in the chemical process industries (CPI) for the manufacture of…
Ionic Liquids Create More Sustainable Processes
The distinctive properties of ionic liquids enable versatility and efficiency across many industrial applications Ionic liquids — salts in a liquid state at ambient conditions — make up a fascinating family of materials whose unique physical properties have made them…
Industrial Adsorbents
Industrially, adsorbent materials are used in a wide range of applications, including purification, separations, drying, spill management, catalysis, pollution control and others across a large number of industrial sectors. This column provides an overview of the major classes of industrial…
Ethylene Glycol Production
Monoethylene glycol (MEG), also known as ethylene glycol (EG) or simply glycol, is a diol mostly used for the production of polyester fibers and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins. It is also used in antifreeze applications and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.…
Production of Polylactic Acid
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the biodegradable polymer of lactic acid, which is produced via fermentation processes. For the last five decades, PLA has been mainly used in biomedical applications. The development of economical production routes and a rising environmental awareness…