Part one of our discussion about distillation focused on the internals of the distillation tower. While distillation refers to how the separation of liquids by boiling point, this doesn’t include how the vapor reaches the top of the tower, which is done by using reboilers. … [Read more...]
Distillation Part 1 – Packed Towers vs. Tray (Plate) Towers
Distillation is one of the most important unit operations in the Chemical Process Industry (CPI). The distillation process utilizes towers with internals. Examining the different tower types is a first step when learning about the distillation process. As one of the most essential pieces of a distillation system, towers need to fit the distillation process properly and must … [Read more...]
Pyrolysis of Plastics, Tires and Biomass
In the United States, millions of tons of waste plastics and tires are discarded every single year, filling our landfills and dumps with potential feedstocks. Coming up with an economical solution to get rid of all this waste is a problem that scientists and engineers have spent countless hours trying to crack. After years of research and testing, an answer to this riddle … [Read more...]
Consider Fischer-Tropsch for the Production of Hydrocarbons
Making waste into something useful is only one of the things that you can do with Fischer-Tropsch technology. What is the process and how can it benefit you? The Fischer-Tropsch Process The Fischer-Tropsch process is a series of chain growth reactions that involve converting carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas) into straight chain hydrocarbons and/or paraffin wax . Using … [Read more...]
Systemic Safety Failures at the University of Hawaii
Most people think of Hawaii and images of pineapples and luaus come to mind. The idea of a complex chemical laboratory is probably not one that would ever come to mind. Yet recently, in the middle of this island paradise, a postdoc student was seriously injured in an explosion that was completely preventable. This only goes to highlight the importance of maintaining a culture … [Read more...]