Technical & Practical
Tower Doctor: Can the Cure be as Bad as the Illness?
Henry Kister shares lessons learned from troubleshooting distillation towers During a course that I was presenting in Houston one year, a participant asked me the following at the end of one of the sessions: “Do you have experience with BX-type…
Real-Time Particle-Size Analysis Technologies: Overview and Case Study
Monitoring particle sizes in real time can improve product quality and reduce costs in chemical processes. Presented here is an overview of available technologies for particle-size analysis and an example involving suspension polymerization Effective measurement, in real time, of particle…
Changes to Calculation Inputs for CEPCI Due to Discontinued Data Series
Discontinued series IDs associated with producer prices for storage tanks requires a modification to the CEPCI The Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) is a widely used tool for comparing plant construction costs in the chemical process industries (CPI) between…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Standard Masses for Calibration of Weighing Instruments
Accurately and efficiently weighing raw materials and reagents is a key part of many chemical processes, research projects and laboratory analysis. Poor weighing accuracy can contribute to lost revenue, increased labor costs and lower product quality. Calibration of weighing instruments…
Keys to Designing Sustainable Production Facilities
Using the food-and-beverage industry as an example, these considerations can help engineers design new facilities with sustainability built in Rapid population growth and geopolitical tensions continue to keep food security a top priority for nations all over the world. These…
Optimization of Inventory Management with Process Integration Using Spreadsheet
A recently developed optimization technique called the automated targeting model is demonstrated for its application on inventory management Supply chain management that involves raw material sourcing, product manufacturing and delivery has often been viewed as one of the critical factors…
Avoiding Mistakes When Emptying Spill Pallets
Following these guidelines can help workers to take the proper precautions to minimize the risk of leakage from spill pallets Container liquid leaks can occur at any time, even when all precautions have been taken and containers are stored on…
Facts At Your Fingertips: Control-Valve Emissions and Packing
Fugitive emissions — defined as unintended releases of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from process equipment to the atmosphere — have been a long-standing issue in the chemical process industries (CPI). Valves and pumps are two of the leading sources. With…
Filtration Considerations for CPI Facilities
Numerous factors are taken into account when designing a filtration system, including technical, logistical and safety considerations Filtration is an essential step in the production and processing of many materials in the chemical process industries (CPI). Beyond the efficacy of…
The Selection and Design of Fixed-Bed, Axial-Flow Vessel Internals
Follow these key considerations when deciding which internals to use in fixed-bed, axial-flow vessels Fixed-bed, axial-flow vessel internals are installed in natural gas plants, petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical plants and industrial gas facilities. Thermal-swing gas and liquid dehydrators, treaters…