written by Michael Tanzio, Process Engineering Associates, LLC; February 2021 The industrial literature is full of stories about poor separation in systems consisting of drops or particles in a separate continuous phase (gas or liquid). Poor disengagement of the dispersed phase can lead to major, unwanted, economic consequences (poor product quality, reduced throughput, environmental and…
Designing critical OSBL facilities for the Sadara Project presented the UPI team with some unique challenges, which required innovative solutions. Written by Mr. Joe Matherne, Chief Process Engineer, Process Engineering Associates, LLC December 7, 2020 The Sadara Chemical Company is a joint venture between The Dow Chemical Company and Saudi Aramco. Sadara constructed at Al…
Adsorption on Activated Carbon – Part 2 Part 2 of this blog topic continues the discussion from last month of some important aspects of adsorption on activated carbon in the process industries and both parts are intended to serve as an introduction to the topic. The references cited at the end of this article are…
Adsorption on Activated Carbon – Part 1, M. Tanzio 09/10/20 Background As a unit operation, many do not consider Adsorption a glamorous technology – “just put some charcoal in a drum and away you go!”. But the physics involved and the engineering required for an effective system are quite challenging and sophisticated. For a long…
Many are not aware of the major differences between the orifice sizes and discharge coefficients suggested by the API and the actual, ASME values used by the relief valve vendors. According to API-520, Part 1, the API orifice sizes and discharge coefficients are assumed values and are to be used only for the initial selection…
Overview When executing capital projects, small or large, the ultimate objective is to produce something that works as planned, at the lowest possible cost, with the most commercially desirable attributes, and meet all applicable laws and standards. In other words, maximize the return on investment while minimizing health and safety concerns. To do this, it…
PROCESS ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, LLC is pleased to publicly offer the following 3½-day PHA training: PROCESS HAZARD ANALYSIS (PHA) LEADER TRAINING COURSE The purpose of the 3½ -day training course is to assist personnel at chemical plants, petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries, and manufacturing plants in becoming proficient in leading and documenting process hazard analyses (PHAs) by becoming…
Overview A safe working environment requires the evaluation and careful consideration of both general exhaust ventilation requirements and localized capture and control requirements for a chemical processing area or building. A combination of general area exhaust systems, point source capture and control systems, and emergency release capture and control systems are required to ensure that…
