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Innovations in Pilot-Plant Distillation Process Design
Small-scale distillation processes have specific concerns that are different than commercial-scale distillation. Presented here are several topics, including column internals and column-sizing software, considered from the perspective of pilot-scale distillation The design and operation of laboratory- and pilot-scale columns are…
Custom mixing systems optimize unique processing tasks
This company’s custom mixing systems (photo) are engineered to optimize unique processing projects, including batch size, material properties, agitation levels and more. Engineers can develop a mixing system that includes mixers and tanks from simple open-top designs to full ASME…
PCB terminal block for single-pair Ethernet
Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) is a powerful technology for realizing Industry 4.0 and IIoT applications. The Combicon range PCB (printed circuitboard) terminal blocks (photo) provide suitable connection technology. The networking of smart devices continues to advance. This applies in particular to…
The Ten Most Common Laboratory Ventilation Mistakes
A laboratory ventilation system that does not work effectively may not keep personnel safe and can produce significant adverse impacts on operations Laboratory personnel treat their ventilation systems as a given. They expect them to be designed right, to always…
Multi-stage condenser for cracking organic waste material
The multi-stage TV-200 condenser (photo) was designed to separate biowaste materials produced during an anaerobic process known as pyrolysis, which applies heat to break down organic waste into biopolymer components. Each stage of the TV-200 cools the deconstructed biopolymers, which…
High productivity chocolate forming with this machine
The Rotoform HP (high performance) is the latest model in this company’s high-capacity Rotoform rotary drop depositor, which is specifically designed for chocolate processing (photo). A pump delivers molten chocolate to the Rotoform via heated piping. The Rotoform itself consists…
A Brief Review of Natural Water’s Influence on Scale Formation in Heat Exchangers
Understanding the water chemistry is a first step in preventing heat-exchanger fouling At the two power plants and chemical plant in which this author formerly worked, the fresh-water-makeup supplies (two lakes and an underground aquifer adjacent to a river) all…
Complex Chemistry Demands Precise Process Control
An advanced control system helps alleviate workflow inefficiencies and reliance on manual adjustments in a complex chemical process Synthesizing principles of engineering and biology, Solugen Inc. (Houston; www.solugen.com) has developed and commercially deployed a unique carbon-negative platform for peroxide manufacturing.…
Chevron Lummus Global and Hongrun Petrochemical commission world’s largest all-hydroprocessing white oil unit
Chevron Lummus Global LLC (CLG) announced the successful commissioning of the world's largest white oil hydroprocessing unit for Hongrun Petrochemical (Weifang) Co., Ltd. in Weifang, Shandong Province, China. The new plant, which utilizes CLG's ISODEWAXING and ISOFINISHING technologies, consists of…
Evonik expands production of precipitated silica at Charleston site
Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany) has invested in a plant expansion for precipitated silica at its site in Charleston, South Carolina. The new line is satisfying the high demand in particular from the tire industry in North America and makes…