http://www.che.com Chemical Engineering en-us 2013 Thu, 23 May 2013 8:16:24 EDT Increasing production of crude oil from shale deposits in the U.S. and oil sands in Canada offers North American petroleum refiners opportunities to access cost-advantaged feedstock. However, shifting product demand and hurdles in transportation logistics, along with technical issues associated with the properties of the crude from those areas, present challenges as refiners optimize their product mix. Crude oil from shale was among the many refining-related trends and issues discussed at the recent annual meeting of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10443.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Lessons learned Your Editor’s Page in today’s Chemical Engineering [March 2013, p.5] intrigued me because I too served as a TA in a physical chemistry lab but long before 1980 and we did not have the luxury of a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. But you certainly have the experience to... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10448.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Excellence and inspiration are found at many levels, from the recipient of prestigious awards to the co-worker who is doing a great job... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10452.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Topics of other recently published books of interest to CPI engineers include the following: corrosion resistance; process R&D; chemical computing; hydrogen storage; renewable energy processes; and more... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10455.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT The performance of control valves within process control loops has a significant impact on maintaining consistent processes. This one-page refresher outlines some of the important aspects of control-valve performance, including parameters of both static and dynamic response... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10469.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Inline viscosity measurements can give continuous, realtime readings of a fluid’s viscosity during processing and consequently, can provide a means to automate the viscosity control of process fluids. While it is difficult to control all factors in the process that can affect a fluid’s viscosity, if these factors are kept relatively constant, then good control can be achieved.... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10470.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT A common type of propylene polymerization is a gas-phase process similar to Dow Chemical's Unipol Polypropylene process. The major process components and the economics of production are outlined in this one-page capsule... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10472.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Compressors are a workhorse of the CPI. A variety of technologies, methods and best practices are available to obtain the lowest cost of ownership for compressors used in process plants. Follow the guidance presented here to get the best value from each compressor over the life of the unit... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10473.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Neste Jacobs to expand enzyme production plant in Finland; ThyssenKrupp to build a second cement plant in Indonesia; UOP propylene technology chosen for plants in Canada and China; and more... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10474.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Small companies that do not have all the resources of their large counterparts can turn to consultants and creative ideas to help implement safe practices.... http://www.che.com/extras/pdf/10475.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT