The path to commercialization can be long and arduous, which means the engineers and chemists taking the path must have a good deal of patience, dedication and fortitude. To honor the efforts of those chemical engineers and their companies that…
This column is based on “Activated Carbon Production Process – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/activated-carbon-production-cost. Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal or activated coal, is an inert solid composed mostly of…
Viscosity, power consumption, commercial availability and lifecycle cost analysis are all important considerations in pump sizing. An automated spreadsheet method helps engineers take those factors into account in centrifugal pump selection Many aspiring chemical engineers enter industry after university study…
High-shear, high-speed mixing equipment supplies the mechanical energy necessary to reduce the size of solid particles and liquid droplets in emulsions and dispersions. Emulsions are mixtures of two normally immiscible liquids in which tiny particles of one liquid are suspended…
The presence of certain contaminants can wreak havoc on gas dehydration systems and other similar separation processes, but there are design measures that can help to minimize the issues caused by these substances The presence of the aromatic compounds benzene,…
Development of robust preparation and response procedures can help chemical plants to weather disaster events and return to normal operations in a safe and efficient manner Having a well-defined and understood approach to disaster preparation and response will ensure that…
Deciding whether to put a project on the fast track entails risks. Some observations are presented here to help minimize risks and maximize profits Time is money!” my mother used to tell me, whenever she caught me reading comic books…
The Process Synthesis Model presented here is a methodology that integrates technology and economics, thereby improving process design and reducing costs Broadly, the chemical process industries (CPI) are comprised of companies in the chemical, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical, household and personal-care…
This column is based on “Bio-Acrylic Acid Production from Glucose – Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/acrylic-acid-production-cost. Acrylic acid is a moderately strong carboxylic acid, primarily used in the production of emulsion and…
As technologies advance and market challenges continue to pose new pressures for operators, the decommissioning and retrofitting of facilities is inevitable. This article provides guidance on how to tackle projects of this nature safely and efficiently As with many industrial…