Solid Tips for Project Success

    Processes incorporating bulk solids handling are ubiquitous in the chemical process industries (CPI), including the chemical, petrochemical, polymer, biochemical, agricultural chemicals, paints/pigments, energy and power, pulp and paper, and pharmaceutical industries, to name a few. Studies conducted during the past two decades have shown that:     More than 50% of products are either sold as a solid or have been in a solid state during production   More than 90% of solids plants in general experience major performance problems   Projects processing solids are twice as likely to fail as compared to the industry standard.         Common culprits A number of underlying factors are considered responsible for such widespread failure, namely:   Lack of sufficient and reliable material characterization information: Unlike the situation with liquids, where property data has been extensively cataloged, the properties of bulk solids must be determined on a case by case basis because of the multiple, interacting factors usually at play. Also, there is a reluctance to expend up-front powder testing costs.   Lack of formal training or education in the field of particle technology:…