Engineering Basics

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Mastering Gas Chromatography: Unlocking Efficiency with Sample Conditioning and System Design

Oct. 16, 2024
Learn best practices for troubleshooting, minimizing time lags, and safeguarding your system against common pitfalls while ensuring safe, accurate sample analyses.
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Effectively Use Abatement Curves to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A mitigation cost curve chart can help illustrate the cost-effectiveness of different emission reduction strategies. A list of 14 projects to combat greenhouse gas emissions can...
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Energy Saver: Tips for Effective Steam Trap Maintenance

Prioritizing the design, use and maintenance of steam traps can reduce energy costs while optimizing operations and overall efficiency.
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The Dynamics of Pneumatic Conveyors in Chemical Processing: Flow, Control and Reliability

Sept. 6, 2023
An overview of the different types of pneumatic conveyors, how they work and application-specific considerations.
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Energy Saver: Benchmark Energy Efficiency Using R-Curve Method

By understanding this curve, engineers can benchmark, design and operate chemical plants more efficiently, maximizing heat transfer while considering factors such as energy consumption...
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Vacuum Innovations in Chemical Plants: Ejectors vs. Liquid-Ring Pumps

A look at one plant’s shift from vacuum ejectors to a centralized liquid ring-pump system.
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Continuing Education: Trade Show Tune-Up

After years of hibernation, spring is here, and it’s time again for in-person events. Here are some tips on making the most of your travel experience.
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Close-up Look at T-Junction Mixing for Gases

In the right conditions, a simple T-junction mixer can be an effective way to mix gases. Here, we look at the many variations.
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Energy Saver: Get More Efficiency Via Pinch Analysis

This basic primer covers the history of the pinch analysis methodology and how it’s used to determine energy-saving opportunities for a process unit.
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Assess the Pros, Cons and Best Practices of Butterfly Valves

Feb. 27, 2023
Valves should be operated within the recommended limits, and frequently maintained for reliable fluid service
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Fluid Handling: Pushing the Limit With Graphite Seals

Feb. 13, 2023
High-temperature chemical processing applications require new approaches to valve-stem packing.
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How to Identify and Address a Water Hammer Event

Jan. 23, 2023
Prevent costly damage and downtime with these preventive and mitigation strategies
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How to Keep VOCs in Check With Vent Condensers

Jan. 6, 2023
A closer look at design options and sizing considerations for spiral tube vent condensers.
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Choose the Correct Air Compressor

Nov. 9, 2022
When selecting an air compressor, focusing on the energy bill for the current unit and potential savings can lead to a suboptimum choice. Instead, users should keep five key points...
Surpress Steam System Surprises

Suppress Steam System Surprises

Oct. 21, 2022
A number of factors can contribute to boiler issues
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Rethink Your Control Valve Servicing

The right approach can cut turnaround time and effort considerably while maintaining reliability
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Fluid Handling: Don’t Push Piping Flow Too High

Understanding velocity limits to prevent erosion and corrosion is crucial
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Don’t Err With Instrument Air Systems

May 23, 2022
Compressors and air dryers are among the elements demanding careful attention
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Understand The Basics Of Piping Stress Analysis

May 7, 2022
Such an evaluation plays a key part in preventing potential failures
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Piping Tips: Use Your Head With Headers

Carefully consider the consequences of configuration on flow distribution
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Avoid Vacuum-Pump-Sizing Pitfalls

Feb. 14, 2022
A variety of under-appreciated factors can cause havoc
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Select The Right Valves For Adsorption Processes

March 9, 2020
High cycling necessitates extra attention to tight shutoff and robust design
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6 Tips To Effectively Remove Contaminants From Compressed Air

June 11, 2019
Consider these common myths and tips for filtration that also minimize leakage
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Powder Handling: Beware of Blending Myths

But first determine if blending really is required
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Select the Right Centrifugal Compressor

Dec. 22, 2014
Hermetically sealed direct-driven units offer economic and technical advantages