Showing papers in "Chemical Engineering in 1999"

Selecting and using Chelating agents

Abstract: This article will review very basic chelation chemistry. It will also present simple, effective ways to help to decide whether a chelating agent is the best solution for a process problems, and which agent to select.

Calculating solubility & Henry's Law constants for gases in water

Abstract: This article presents a quick calculation method for many common industrial chemicals. Several gases are covered, including diatomic gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen; hydrocarbons, such as methane, ethane, ethylene and propylene; noble gases, such as argon, helium and neon, as well as other types.

Process intensification magnifies profits

Abstract: Production plants can be made smaller, cheaper and safer using a design approach that focuses on the micro-needs of a process. This article concentrates on the application of process intensification (PI) in the chemical industry, but it is worth considering other industrial applications where PI either has had an impact or has the potential to impact: oil and gas processing; water and waste treatment; nuclear reprocessing; food and beverages.

Correlate pressure drops through fittings

Abstract: Determining friction losses in valves and fittings is a frequent task for engineers, and a wide variety of methods and correlations has been proposed over the years A proposal offered in 1999, the 3-K (for three constants) correlation, provides unusually accurate values of friction-loss coefficient over a wide range of Reynolds numbers and pipe sizes, but up to now has been applicable only to selected valves and fittings In this article, we present a revised and extended listing of the coefficients for the 3-K correlation, which includes additional valves and fittings It is based on more data and so expands the usefulness of the method

Put a smart face on asset management

Abstract: Intelligent field devices can make plant maintenance more effective, less costly. Using a technique called reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), the devices forestall any actual maintenance until it is really needed.

Controlling emissions from fuel and waste combustion

Abstract: The strengths and weakness of today's conventional and emerging emissions-control technologies are discussed.

Recover industrial gases via adsorption

Abstract: This article looks into the largest use of the widely applicable technique - industrial-gas recovery.

Control dioxin emissions from combustion processes

Abstract: These toxic effluents can be eliminated by catalytic destruction or by treatment with powdered activated carbon. A newer option - selective adsorption - is also gaining favor.

Working with fluids that warm upon expansion

Abstract: To many process engineers, the Joule-Thomson effect implies the cooling of a gas upon expansion. Many processes rely upon this phenomenon in order to decrease a fluid's temperature. However, under certain conditions, a fluid may actually increase in temperature upon throttling. This article shows how to predict when such an event will occur.

Designing azeotropic distillation columns

Abstract: This article shows a way to design fesible columns the first time around without the headaches of trial-and-error studies. It discusses the use of geometric methods to analyze the nature and behavior of the azeotropic distillation system.

Screens go down to the wire to perform better

Abstract: New elements for solid-liquid and solid-gas filtration are capturing smaller particles while resisting plugging. Computer-guided welding systems and more-precise wire-shaping techniques are key to successes.

Activated carbon for the hole cleanup job

Abstract: New grades of activated carbon help industry keep up with legislative limits on emission of volatile organic compounds.

Impelling mixers to move viscous fluids

Abstract: A variety of design innovations is enabling the dispersion into, blending of, and discharge of thick and high-solids materials.

Choosing the best flowmeter

Abstract: This article covers six flowmeter designs - variable-area, mass, Coriolis, differential-pressure, turbine, and oval-gear.

Design and scaleup of slurry-hydrogenation systems

Abstract: This article discusses the design and scaleup of hydrogenation reators, in which a slurry of catalyst in a liquid containing the substrate is brought into contact with the hydrogen gas.

Refiners get cracking on petrochemicals

Abstract: Technology enhancement are boosting of light olefins from heavy crude oils. New reactors and more selective catalysts are upping fuel yield and production rates.

Selecting a winner in fluidization

Abstract: Turbulence in fluidized beds (FBs) provides uniform and close temperature control for solids and liquids, excellent mixing and efficient heat transfer rates. Many commercial processes exploit this combination of mass and heat transfer, including catalytic cracking for oil refining, roasting and calcining for mineral processing, waste incineration, boilers firing fossil fuels, and drying, heating and cooling. Although some FB processes have been running for more than five decades, the system design approach presented in this paper, together with lessons learned from past designs, can improve both current operations and future plant designs.

Technology to cool down global warming

Abstract: Chemical process industries firms can play a key role in curbing the earth's temperature rise.

Keep your rotating machines healthy

Abstract: In this article, the case for instrumenting lower-cost, general machinery as well will be justified. We will first explain why machinery management systems are effective in solving today's business problems and present details of many of these tools. Then we will get into interpretations of the data and how to implement a program.