Chemicals & Materials

This tutorial will begin with a brief introduction to molecular sieves followed by a description of the process, covering overall operation of the charge gas dryer including adsorption and regeneration steps. Key design considerations will be discussed along with optimization and troubleshooting...

The recent high oil prices have focused research attention to alternative routes and feedstocks for the production of light olefins. The former was caused by two reasons: on the one hand the high oil demand from new economies, on the other hand the growing awareness of the declining oil reserves...

Process manufacturers lose millions of dollars each year due to process variability and poor control performance, often unaware they even have a problem. Control engineers and instrument technicians are typically overworked and ill-equipped to monitor and maintain the hundreds of control loops and...

It is often assumed that a SIS system forever meets all the SIS requirements of the project Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) and Safety System Requirements (SRS). In reviewing a number of installed refinery SIS systems with respect to maintenance issues and operational issues a pattern starts...

The valorization of scarce renewable resources calls for new, advanced process technologies. The optimal route in the long run will be to encourage benefiting first from the value chain of the biomass constituents and produce fuel only from the residues or from an entirely different feedstock – not...

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene is an intriguing alternative to steam cracking for ethylene production. The process operates at high temperatures autothermally eliminating the need for a firebox and at residence times 2-3 orders of magnitude faster than a steam cracker leading to a...

Olefins cracking furnace Transfer Line Valves (TLV's) operate in very demanding service handling high temperature, fouling conditions, high tightness requirements, high reliability requirements and they are critical from a safety point of view. These valves are expected to operate trouble-free...

DP Flow is the most frequently applied measurement technology. Uncover the value of re-engineering DP Flow measurement points to enable better measurement. Learn how best practices and innovative designs deliver improved accuracy, reduced maintenance, reduced installed costs, lowered permanent...

This paper provides a brief global perspective to the GHG issue as it impacts the petrochemical industry and then focuses on the factors of developing carbon footprints for processes and products in the chemical industry. Using results from our recent studies we illustrate the complexities of...

Ethylene producers continue to search for ways to improve capital expenditure versus payback ratio and to reduce installation and maintenance costs by benefitting from economies of scale. As ethylene plant outputs increase beyond the 1 million ton per year size, turbomachinery manufacturers must...