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Ethylene Production via Cracking of Ethane-Propane

Ethylene is a critical building block for the petrochemical industry, and is among the most produced organic compounds. It is usually produced in steam-cracking units from a range of petroleum-based feedstocks, such as naphtha, and is used in the manufacture…

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Design and Operating Principles for Bioprocesses

The application of biotechnology to the chemical process industries (CPI) has grown significantly in the past decade and now offers viable pathways to manufacture a range of high-volume chemicals, many of which can serve as drop-in replacements for traditional petroleum-derived…

Optimizing Flare Operation Through Proper Design

Flare problems are often caused by the seal systems that are designed to control air ingress. Follow these troubleshooting guidelines to improve design and ensure safe, reliable flare operation Flares are used to dispose of unwanted hydrocarbon gases. One common…

Emissions Regulations and Control

Harnessing new technologies for best practices in pollution control could lead to a more ideal framework of policies and programs Fugitive emissions are managed in a variety of ways around the world, ranging from detailed prescriptive control to suggested guidance.…

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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.…

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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…

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Pipe Insulation: Finding the Optimal Thickness

Avoid tedious numerical calculation by using this quick, shortcut method Insulated pipes are important in many applications in the chemical process industries (CPI). When it comes to the insulation itself, the two main questions are: which material should be used;…

Using Laser Diffraction to Characterize Heterogeneous Catalysts

The capabilities of laser diffraction systems go beyond particle-size analysis to also predict a catalyst’s propensity to experience attrition Heterogeneous catalysts, where the catalyst is in solid form, enhance many of the gas- and liquid-phase reactions that underpin common operations…

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Solids Discharge: Characterizing Powder and Bulk Solids Behavior

How shear-cell testing provides a basis for predicting flow behavior Powder jams are the once-in-a-month catastrophe that can bring processing operations to a standstill. Whether it’s erratic flow behavior or complete stoppage of solids discharge, the consequence is the same.…

Treating Wastewater for Industrial Reuse

Secondary treated wastewater from municipal plants can be a water resource for industry. Important water characteristics and treatment options are discussed Water is a precious resource, and water quality and water pollution are important issues. Many companies and industries are…