Archives :: News
July 1, 2012
There might be as many categories of catalysts as there are chemical processing applications. And, no matter what the specialty or application, most catalyst producers are in a constant state of research and development in order to meet the demands of their chemical processing customers, as well as to develop innovative catalysts for new applications and growing market areas. Recent efforts of some of the...
http://www.che.com/news/Development-Speeds-up-In-Catalysis_9441.html
June 1, 2012
An explosion is defined as “a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner,” and is usually accompanied by high temperature generation and gas release. Flammable gases, vapors, dusts and ambient oxygen — all present in chemical processing facilities — can react to cause an explosion that essentially creates a shock wave. As a result of modern production...
http://www.che.com/news/Explosions-Are-You-Prepared_9364.html
June 1, 2012
A host of conditions, including globalization of industry, expanding access to information and a shifting workforce profile present challenges for university chemical engineering departments as they prepare aspiring engineers for work. To address the challenges, the educational system for chemical engineering is trying to strike the optimal balance between new and traditional teaching approaches, as well...
http://www.che.com/news/Chemical-Engineering-Education-Evolution_9366.html
May 1, 2012
Adsorption and absorption play a big role in reducing air pollution in many applications around the world. Studies show that the largest single use of absorbers this year will be to capture SO2 from power-plant flue gas. Adsorbers will be used by many chemical process industries (CPI) to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors. A small, but fast growing industrial segment uses ozone and...
http://www.che.com/news/Adsorption-and-Absorption_9251.html
May 1, 2012
As in almost all other aspects of producing chemicals, processors are looking for cost-effective sensing solutions. And they won’t be disappointed by the newest offering of sensors for the chemical process industries (CPI). Gas and pH sensors, as well as spectrometers, are experiencing noteworthy advancements that allow the technologies to reduce costs via reliability, digital and intelligent design...
http://www.che.com/news/The-Sensitive-Side-of-Chemical-Processing_9292.html
April 1, 2012
The closure of several U.S. petroleum refineries over the past few months carries a simple message: petroleum refining is a tough business to be in these days. Paradoxical as it may seem to consumers, the recent rapid increase in fuel prices does not represent higher profits for refiners, which are generally operating with low margins, but is simply due to the higher cost of crude oil. Sunoco, Inc...
http://www.che.com/news/Challenges-for-U-S-petroleum-refiners_9176.html
April 1, 2012
While some initially worried that the lack of a single wireless instrumentation standard — currently WirelessHart and ISA 100 both exist — would deter end users from embracing any wireless technology, it seems that’s not the case. “The benefits of wireless technology are too great to ignore,” says Hesh Kagan, senior consultant with Invensys Portfolio Group (Foxboro, Mass.)...
http://www.che.com/news/Taking-a-Holistic-Approach-to-Wireless_9177.html
March 1, 2012
Already, in the first two months of this year, the unpredictable and winding road of the so-called Boiler MACT, has taken yet another set of hair-pinned curves. Now industry groups are pushing even harder for an act of Congress that would put on the brakes and allow more time for the regulations to be reshaped. At stake, says Robert Bessette, president of the Council of Industrial Boiler Owners (CIBO...
http://www.che.com/news/Road-to-Boiler-MACT-Takes-Sharp-Turns_9025.html
March 1, 2012
If you were to ask chemical processors what they’re looking for from their screening equipment, it’s likely that the answers would be as varied as the chemicals they produce because screening requirements are entirely dependent upon the material being screened. However, equipment providers say that no matter the application, minimal downtime and maintenance costs and the ability to get more...
http://www.che.com/news/A-look-at-screeners_9040.html
February 1, 2012
Limited budgets and the need for high performing operations are causing chemical processors and petroleum and gas refiners to seek out the best bang for their capital dollar. And when it comes to gas processing operations, such as carbon-dioxide removal, hydrogen purification and air separation, experts say today’s membrane technologies compare favorably to other available systems and will continue...
http://www.che.com/news/Membranes-for-gas-Separation_8939.html
February 1, 2012
Production of natural gas from shale formations presents key water management challenges. As the number of gas drilling operations continues to grow in shale plays around the world, and the practice of hydraulic fracturing (frac or fracing) of gas wells remains widespread, efficient water use strategies are becoming critical aspects of shale gas operations. Fresh water supplies for drilling and fracturing...
http://www.che.com/news/Frac-Water-Reuse_8943.html
January 1, 2012
Like the ammonia plants that feed them, urea plants are getting bigger. These large-scale plants are being built to not only meet the increasing demand for fertilizer — projected to grow steadily at 3.7%/yr — but also to take advantage of economies of scale. In the last ten years, the market interest has moved toward large fertilizer complexes producing 5,000 metric tons per day (m.t./d) and...
http://www.che.com/news/Making-Urea-Heaps_8819.html
January 1, 2012
Many chemical processes in the U.S. that use centrifuges were established between the 1950s and the 1980s. As a result, most of these machines employ technology that was outdated literally generations ago. In addition, many processes have changed since installation, and doing more with less is now a key method of survival in today’s global economy. At the same time, regulatory and environmental...
http://www.che.com/news/Say-Good-Bye-to-Old-School-Centrifuges_8827.html
January 1, 2012
In professional life, the influences that teach us, inspire us and drive us to succeed tend to come more from individuals than corporations. If you would like to bring recognition to someone whose excellence in chemical engineering you admire, consider nominating him or her for Chemical Engineering’s 2012 Personal Achievement Award. The nomination period is now open. The aim of this award, which...
http://www.che.com/news/Personal-Achievement-Award-Opens_8830.html
December 1, 2011
Modernizing the world’s power grids represents a key infrastructure goal for economic growth. Large-scale, energy-storage technologies offer the opportunity to optimize the efficiency of the next-generation power grid and extend its capabilities. Renewed attention on energy storage systems for the grid has given rise to a host of emerging technologies aimed at more effectively transmitting...
http://www.che.com/news/Transporting-Energy-Through-Time_8746.html
December 1, 2011
Because the benefits are many, roles for simulation software tools exist from planning and design of facilities through operations and everything in between. And thanks to enhancements, it’s becoming easier to use simulation alongside other software packages, while niche simulation tools are making complex processes easier and less expensive to implement. In general, process simulation...
http://www.che.com/news/Simulation-Spreads-its-wings_8759.html
November 1, 2011
Significant demand persists within the chemical process industries (CPI) for those with engineering backgrounds and technical skills. Companies across many CPI sectors are finding it difficult to find enough individuals with chemical and engineering skills and expertise to staff their operations. But despite strong demand for technical skills, recruitment of chemical engineers is somewhat constrained by a...
http://www.che.com/news/Engineer-Demand-strong-but-Economy-Constrains-Hiring_8606.html
November 1, 2011
One of the biggest issues related to dust collection is compliance with U.S. Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations regarding combustible dusts and air quality. And as both agencies up the ante with tighter regulations and more scrutinizing inspections, it is imperative that processors make sure their facilities are meeting the standards...
http://www.che.com/news/Collecting-dust_8622.html
October 1, 2011
When it comes to fixed gas-detection devices, there are a lot of choices available. And, wise chemical processors do not select this essential safety equipment based on price. Instead, for areas of the plant that require continuous monitoring for loss prevention and personnel protection, fixed gas-detection systems are chosen based upon reliability, flexibility and maintainability. Figure 1...
http://www.che.com/news/Fixed-gas-detectors_8509.html
October 1, 2011
Velocys Inc. (Plain City, Ohio; www.velocys.com), a part of the Oxford Catalyst Group (Abingdon, U.K.; www.oxfordcatalysts.com), has been awarded the Kirkpatrick Award for Chemical Engineering Achievement from Chemical Engineering. The company’s winning technology features microchannel reactors for producing synthetic fuels. The award was announced at a reception September 12 in Houston. The...
http://www.che.com/news/Compact-Reactors-Boost-Productivity_8516.html
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