Chemical Processing - March 2008 - (Page 41) PROCESS PUZZLER < > THIS MONTH’S PUZZLER We use 5% caustic solution as a feedstock to a saponification reactor. To prevent freezing, the 1-in. diameter pipe from the storage tank to the reactor pump is heat-traced and insulated. Nevertheless, this pipe is frequently plugged with caustic. What is causing this and what can we do to reduce maintenance on this line? Check for impurities You should analyze the caustic to make sure it doesn’t have impurities. Sodium carbonate, due to the presence of carbon dioxide, can precipitate out causing a plugging problem. Eliminate the source of the impurity, if appropriate. Also, consider lowering the caustic concentration unless this will adversely affect plant operations. Chris Ostman, quality manager Lion Copolymer, Geismar, La. Control tracing better There is no reason for keeping the heat tracing on at all times. This is a waste of steam and could be the cause of your troubles. Assuming that the solution is 5%, its freez- >> What went wrong? Vacuum breaker Vacuum breaker Mine Steam Priming water Vacuum breaker Steam Mine Priming water Vacuum breaker Centrifugal pump 3x4x16 3,550 rpm 14.5 in. impeller 1,000 gpm @ 1,000 ft. TDH Saltation velocity: 10 fps Centrifugal pump 3x4x16 3,550 rpm 14.5 in. impeller 1,000 gpm @ 1,000 ft. TDH Ch. Valve strainer 6-in. Sch 40 Ec red: flat-side up New 5-in. Sch 40 Ec red: flat-side down Old Figure 1. New self-priming slurry pump hasn’t performed as reliably as the one it replaced. www.chemicalprocessing.com March 2008 • 41 http://www.chemicalprocessing.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Chemical Processing - March 2008 Chemical Processing - March 2008 Contents From the Editor ChemicalProcessing.com Field Notes In Process Energy Saver Compliance Advisor Distillation is Bubbling Feel Secure About Vulnerability Assessments The Door Opens For Membranes Achieve Effective Heat Exchanger Control Epoxy Maker Finds the Right Glue for Its Business Process Puzzler Plant InSites Equipment & Services Product Spotlight/Classifieds Ad Index End Point Chemical Processing - March 2008 Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Chemical Processing - March 2008 (Page Cover1) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Chemical Processing - March 2008 (Page Cover2) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Chemical Processing - March 2008 (Page 3) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Chemical Processing - March 2008 (Page 4) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - From the Editor (Page 7) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - From the Editor (Page 8) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - ChemicalProcessing.com (Page 9) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - ChemicalProcessing.com (Page 10) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Field Notes (Page 11) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Field Notes (Page 12) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - In Process (Page 13) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - In Process (Page 14) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - In Process (Page 15) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - In Process (Page 16) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Energy Saver (Page 17) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Energy Saver (Page 18) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Compliance Advisor (Page 19) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Distillation is Bubbling (Page 20) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Distillation is Bubbling (Page 21) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Distillation is Bubbling (Page 22) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Distillation is Bubbling (Page 23) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Distillation is Bubbling (Page 24) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Distillation is Bubbling (Page 25) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Feel Secure About Vulnerability Assessments (Page 26) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Feel Secure About Vulnerability Assessments (Page 27) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Feel Secure About Vulnerability Assessments (Page 28) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - The Door Opens For Membranes (Page 29) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - The Door Opens For Membranes (Page 30) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - The Door Opens For Membranes (Page 31) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - The Door Opens For Membranes (Page 32) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - The Door Opens For Membranes (Page 33) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Achieve Effective Heat Exchanger Control (Page 34) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Achieve Effective Heat Exchanger Control (Page 35) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Achieve Effective Heat Exchanger Control (Page 36) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Achieve Effective Heat Exchanger Control (Page 37) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Achieve Effective Heat Exchanger Control (Page 38) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Epoxy Maker Finds the Right Glue for Its Business (Page 39) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Epoxy Maker Finds the Right Glue for Its Business (Page 40) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Process Puzzler (Page 41) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Process Puzzler (Page 42) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Plant InSites (Page 43) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Equipment & Services (Page 44) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Equipment & Services (Page 45) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Product Spotlight/Classifieds (Page 46) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Product Spotlight/Classifieds (Page 47) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Product Spotlight/Classifieds (Page 48) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - Ad Index (Page 49) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - End Point (Page 50) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - End Point (Page Cover4) Chemical Processing - March 2008 - End Point (Page Cover4)
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