Blog

Come visit us at the 2018 ISA Analysis Division Symposium at the Galveston Island Convention Center in TX on April 22-26!

This year's event features expert presentations and speakers, valuable training courses, an informative technology forum and exhibition, and a wide range of social networking events.Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and engage with industry thought leaders and innovators, as well as meet with representatives of process analyzer manufacturers.

For the past few months we've shined the spotlight on chemical process applications.

When selecting an analyzer, it’s always a good idea to enlist the advice of a specialist in the field. Do not assume that “one size fits all” or that the analyzer which was correct for a previous job will also be the right choice for another application. The specific details of each application need to be examined closely to prevent disaster, especially in the complex chemical environment.

Hazardous gases or vapor-producing liquids are transported, used and stored in the production plant of chemical facilities. In any of these operations there exists the possibility that the hazardous gases or liquids could accidentally leak or spill into the surrounding area.

For the past couple weeks we discussed PPM monitoring in chemical processes; in both Carbon Beds and Oxidizers. This week let's look at a real life solvent recovery application:

In continuation with last week’s discussion on regulations required in the chemical industry, incineration is another way to bring exhaust emissions in line with regulations.

Regulations require the chemical industry to continuously monitor VOC emissions and report their compliance status. VOC abatement systems are used to bring exhaust emissions in line with those regulations. Carbon adsorption beds are frequently used in chemical production to control VOC’s by capturing and recycling solvents.

Flame Ionization Detectors (FIDs) are used to monitor the carbon bed exhausts for solvent breakthrough and to control the switching of the carbon beds when they have become saturated.

For the past couple weeks we discussed BTU monitoring in chemical processes; WHY you should monitor your flare stack & with WHAT technology. This week let's look at HOW you would do just that, in real life applications:

As we talked about last week, continuous monitoring of the waste stream is necessary to identify the minimum heating value (which also helps determine if it can be used as a standalone fuel source) and ensure proper combustion efficiency.

Waste products are collected from various processes around the chemical facility and are sent to a flare stack for destruction. EPA code 60.18 states for optimum combustion efficiency of the stack the waste stream must run at a minimum heating value of between 300-450 BTU/ft3.

Continuous monitoring of the waste stream is necessary to: