At the 7th Connected Plant Conference, held June 25–28 in New Orleans, (CPC; www.connectedplantconference.com), attendees heard about significant progress made toward the digital transformation in the chemical process industries (CPI) along several fronts. However, complex challenges remain as organizations seek…
Plant Watch UBE to expand silicon nitride plant July 13, 2023 — UBE Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.ube.com) plans to expand the silicon nitride production facility at its chemical complex in Ube, Japan. The facility is scheduled to go online in…
For intelligent textiles to function effectively, they need to be strong, stretchable and electrically conductive. However, fabricating fibers that possess these three properties has been challenging. Drawing inspiration from how spiders spin silk to make webs, an international team of…
This company introduced a bulk-material feeder suitable for installation in processing lines that require cleaning-in-place (CIP) for process equipment. Developed for food, dairy, nutrition, pharmaceutical and other sanitary operations, the Feedos S-H/P CIP (photo) integrates a series of spray nozzles…
Crushing and screening of solids are essential to many solids-handling processes, but engineers must be mindful about how those actions will affect flow behavior of the bulk material When it comes to processing bulk solids, (particle) size matters. Almost all…
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…
The proper selection of materials of construction is crucial. The example presented here shows how to use standards to help narrow down the options Since the late 1800s, a steady body of pressure technology codes and standards have been under…
This company’s agitator pumps (photo) are manufactured with wear-resistant components like high-chrome impellers and hard cast-iron volutes that demonstrate durability and efficiency when handling abrasive materials in applications that involve sand, grit or other debris. Agitator pumps utilize an agitator…
The new CO2 Feed System (photo) is a safe and effective way to adjust pH and minimize risk associated with dangerous mineral acids. The 0–100% scaled flowmeter has an integral adjustment needle valve for increased accuracy. Additional benefits of the…
The new TL 305 series light towers (photo) provide bright and homogeneous illumination, indicating states, faults and ongoing processes clearly and visibly from a distance. The compact towers are available preconfigured with three, four or five segments. The new range…