Chemical Processing - February 2008 - (Page 5)

February 2008 • Volume 71, Issue 02 20 Design and Optimization S izing and design for vacuum differs from that for equipment operating at atmospheric pressure and higher. Understanding these differences and their implications, and using some proven pointers can lead to successful vacuum system design. take the pressure off vacuum systems nanoparticle safety raises questions Cover Story T he National Nanotechnology Initiative strategic plan was recently revamped by the U.S. government to better reflect the speed and progress in the field as well as concerns about the environmental, health and safety implications of the tiny particles. The plan is designed to exploit the full value nanotechnology offers. 24 achieve optimum centrifugal pump performance Solids and Fluids Handling he proper bearings, lubrication and T seals, coupled with proactive maintenance, can extend the service life of centrifugal pumps and minimize the need for untimely pump replacement or rebuilds. 14 Columns 7 29 rethink batch-manufacturing alarm systems Instrumentation and Control iscover how to avoid common failD ings and improve the performance of your batch-manufacturing alarm system. Perhaps it’s time for an alarm remediation project. dePartments 10 In Process • iofeedstocks boast bulk B benefits • sobutanol beckons as I biofuel From the editor D eflect a double whammy. 8 ChemicalProcessing.com Field notes Home is where the content is. Stick to the basics. It’s time for a design check. A ct before there’s not a drop to drink. Keep parallel pumps in line. T echnology whittles wooden barrier. 9 39 37 dr.Gooddata Find the total uncertainty. orlando plant pioneers HmI migration strategy Making it Work A leading global supplier of industrial gases needed a company-wide replacement strategy for the multitude of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) at its hundreds of plants. It is following a migration path to minimize operating platforms, reduce engineering costs, provide a robust HMI system that would enhance operator confidence and maximize HMI commonality plant to plant. 12 energy saver 41 Process Puzzler 13 Compliance advisor W hat’s the right way to handle a wrong-way impeller? 45 equipment & services 46 ad Index 47 Product spotlight/ Classifieds 43 Plant Insites 50 end Point Chemical Processing (ISSN 0009-2630) is published monthly by Putman Media Inc., West Pierce Road, Suite 301, Itasca, IL 60143. Phone (630) 467-1300. Fax (630) 467-1109. Periodicals postage paid at Itasca, IL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chemical Processing, P.O. Box 3434, Northbrook, IL 6006-3434. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Qualified reader subscriptions are accepted from operating management in the chemical processing industries at no charge. To apply for a qualified subscription, fill in the subscription card. To nonqualified subscribers in the United States, subscriptions are $68 per year. Single copies are $14. Canadian and foreign annual subscriptions are accepted at $11 surface per year. Single copies are $16. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40028661. Canadian Mail Distributor information: Frontier/BWI, PO Box 101, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, L2A N8. Copyright 2007 Putman Media Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the copyright owner. REPRINTS: Reprints are available on a custom basis. For price quotation, contact Foster Reprints, (866) 879-9144, www.fostereprints.com also publishes Control, Control Design, Food Processing, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Plant Services. Chemical Processing assumes no responsibility for validity of claims in items reported. www.chemicalprocessing.com February 2008 • http://www.fostereprints.com http://www.chemicalprocessing.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Chemical Processing - February 2008

Chemical Processing - February 2008 Contents From the Editor ChemicalProcessing.com Field Notes In Process Energy Saver Compliance Advisor Nanoparticle Safety Raises Questions Take the Pressure Off Vacuum Systems Achieve Optimum Centrifugal Pump Performance Rethink Batch-Manufacturing Alarm Systems Dr. Gooddata Orlando Plant Pioneers HMI Migration Strategy Process Puzzler Plant InSites Equipment & Services Ad Index Product Spotlight/Classifieds End Point

Chemical Processing - February 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.