Latest News
Liquid-level controller for oil-and-gas separators
The Fisher Fieldvue L2t liquid-level controller pairs with an electrically-actuated control valve to reliably maintain ideal separator levels. Compared to alternatives using electric on-off valves, the new Fisher controller makes it possible to save significant energy and maintenance costs by…
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…
Convey both lean and dense phase in same system
The VS pneumatic vacuum-conveying system (photo) automatically transfers bulk materials in a choice of lean or dense phase using the same conveying system. Featuring a designed-in ball valve in the feeding elbow, the conveyor can be operated in dense phase…
Chementator briefs
CO2 TO METHANOL Last December, Sumitomo Chemical Co, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan; www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp) started operating a pilot facility for producing methanol from CO2 at its Ehime Works, located in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The company aims to complete the demonstration…
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.…
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…
These disconnects have a sloped-top clean design
The new SLPX Series of sloped-top motor disconnects (photo) enable plant operators to more easily prioritize sanitation while meeting requirements for multiple disconnects. Available in three multi-gang enclosure sizes, the stainless-steel SLPX Series features a unique clean design for critical…
A single-use micropump for microdosing applications
The new Quattroflow QB2-Standard (QB2-SD) micropump (photo) is the smallest size in this company’s family of single-use, lightweight and compact rotary microdosing pumps. The pump is designed for precision and can be used to transfer delicate biologic media. The QB2-SD…
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…
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…