http://www.che.com Chemical Engineering en-us 2013 Sat, 25 May 2013 6:23:44 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/technical_and_practical/10470.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Occasionally, direct fired heaters that have operated satisfactorily for long periods of time subsequent to startup develop operating problems that do not allow for operation at design conditions, as specified in the manufacturers API data sheets for the heater.... http://www.che.com/technical_and_practical/10471.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/technical_and_practical/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/technical_and_practical/10473.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT Shell-and-tube heat exchangers are one of the most important and commonly used process equipment items in the chemical process industries (CPI). While the actual design will likely be done by a specialist at an equipment vendor or within your own company, you still need to fill out a process datasheet for each heat exchanger and in due course, review the vendor’s detailed proposal.  This article shows you the basics of specifying and selecting shell-and-tube heat exchangers: the process information and preliminary design decisions needed to fill out the datasheet, and how to check any corresponding assumptions made by the vendor.... http://www.che.com/technical_and_practical/10477.html Wed, 1 May 2013 0:00:00 EDT The technology and economics behind the method for producing sodium hypochlorite with chlorine and caustic soda is discussed,... http://www.che.com/technical_and_practical/10388.html Mon, 1 Apr 2013 0:00:00 EDT Sulfur is a major contaminant in the oil and gas industry that exists in various forms and requires separation from both water and process streams. In the many plants that make up the sulfur recovery trail, filtration and other separation processes are important in minimizing process upsets caused by the presence of contaminants. In fact, contamination control through separation is a key step in helping to maintain process control. Many of the lessons learned along the sulfur recovery trail about the need for good separation are equally applicable to other parts of the chemical process industries (CPI).... http://www.che.com/technical_and_practical/10389.html Mon, 1 Apr 2013 0:00:00 EDT Many chemical manufacturing processes require large amounts of energy, and chemical companies are faced with the constant challenge of determining how to use that energy as sustainably as possible. More and more chemical companies are... http://www.che.com/technical_and_practical/10391.html Mon, 1 Apr 2013 0:00:00 EDT The continuing development of natural gas extraction from shale deposits, known simply as shale gas, is fueling the growth of simple- and combined-cycle power plants. Much coal-fired power is being replaced by these technologies. In addition, though, simple- and combined-cycle units are well suited for power and steam production at industrial facilities.... http://www.che.com/technical_and_practical/10392.html Mon, 1 Apr 2013 0:00:00 EDT This article reviews key aspects of safety-instrumented systems (SIS) and provides useful guidance to help designers and operators optimize efforts to conduct safety-related measurements. Special attention is provided to smart-transmitter diagnostics and digital protocols... http://www.che.com/technical_and_practical/10393.html Mon, 1 Apr 2013 0:00:00 EDT