Featured Story – Transformers, boilers and pressure vessels: megatons moved on air
Moving huge transformers, boilers, and pressure vessels, through production lines without causing slowdowns, or even shutdowns, can pose significant challenges. However, many companies do not realize that this type of equipment is easy to manoeuver around using air caster technology. In this article the technology is explained, and examples of how it works and eases the movement of heavy, complicated shapes are given and endorsed.
Featured Story – The use of titanium for heat transfer in the chemical processing...
The transfer of heat from one fluid to another is an essential component of all chemical processes. Whether it is to cool down a chemical after it has been formed during an exothermic reaction, or to heat-up components before starting a reaction to make a final product, understanding the elements to design an effective, efficient heat transfer system is the key to cost-effective manufacturing of most chemicals today.
Featured Story – Milk fouling in heat exchangers
Some heat exchangers are used in very distinct industries with basically the same design. Take the Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) for example. Companies in Oil & Gas and Food Processing employ this equipment, but the solutions developed in each field to cope with problems do not necessarily migrate between both industries. Even the manufacturers tend to segment their business lines and correspondent technical representatives, which may further prevent the flow of information.
Featured Story – Steam reformer tubes; lifecycle and integrity management
Steam reformers are used in ammonia, methanol and hydrogen plants and are one of the most critical items of equipment in terms of the potential impact on safety and production in case of failure. Reformer tubes operate within the creep range, and thus their useful life is finite and highly dependent on the operating conditions.
Featured Story – Working with steam turbines An interview with Jillian Toussaint of BP
In an informal interview, Principle Machinery Engineer at BP in the Netherlands Jillian Toussaint discusses her work with steam turbines, explains why digitalization will be increasingly important and – almost in passing– reveals exactly why engineering really should be every schoolleaver’s first choice of profession.