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Technical & Practical

An Overview of Synthetic Filter Media

Many factors impact the performance of synthetic filtration media, from thread and weave styles to drainage and coverage considerations Under the broad umbrella of filter media, there are many synthetic media materials, including woven filter cloths, woven and non-woven fabric…

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Technology Profile: Production of L-Lysine

Lysine (Figure 1) is an α-amino acid used in the biosynthesis of proteins. The compound contains an amino group and a carboxylic acid group. Under biological conditions, the amino group is protonated (–NH3+) and the carboxylic acid group is deprotonated…

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Centrifugal Pumps:When to Repair, Replace or Modify?

When a pump operates inefficiently, or fails all together, the challenge is to make the most economical decision on how to remedy the situation. Some guidance is provided here Centrifugal pumps are widely used throughout the chemical process industries (CPI).…

Facts At Your Fingertips: Process Hazard Identification Methods

Process hazards analyses (PHAs) are structured reviews during the engineering design process intended to detect potential hazards that were not addressed by the design team. This one-page reference describes commonly employed PHA methods. PHA methods PHAs are often conducted or…

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Technology Profile: Allyl chloride production

Allyl chloride (3-chloropropene; Figure 1) is primarily used almost exclusively as a chemical intermediate in the production of epichlorohydrin. A three-carbon epoxide, epichlorohydrin is used in the manufacture of epoxy resins prevalent in coatings, adhesives, and plastics. Epichlorohydrin is also…

Optimizing Vapor Recovery from Storage Tanks

Light hydrocarbons in storage tanks can vaporize and vent to the atmosphere, creating harmful emissions. An optimized vapor-recovery unit can effectively and economically reduce such emissions In the chemicals, petroleum refining and natural gas industries, storage vessels are used to…

Heat Exchangers: Specification Tips to Maximize Heat Transfer

Presented here are some practical points to help in the selection of a shell-and-tube heat-exchanger design for various applications Heat exchangers are widely used in various sectors of the chemical process industries (CPI), including: chemical; oil and gas; power generation;…

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The Importance of Steam Quality for Steam-System Process Operation

Often, operational problems in steam systems are misattributed because the system’s steam quality is not closely monitored. A clear understanding of steam quality can help to better address these issues Steam quality describes the proportion of saturated steam (vapor) in…

Technology Profile: Production of Ethylene from Ethane

Ethylene is used almost exclusively as a building block — it is the largest-volume petrochemical produced worldwide (Figure 1). Production of ethylene grew rapidly in the middle of the 20th century, when oil and chemical companies began separating it from…

If Data is the New Gold, Where to Start Digging?

In a data-overloaded environment, companies may struggle to fully reap the benefits of Industry 4.0 technologies. Understanding data utilization can help transform process datasets into decision-making assets The chemical process industries (CPI) have been realizing for some time that information…