Changing from Batch to Continuous Processing
Our approaches to process engineering must always be evolving. Otherwise, we’ll never grow and innovate. Recently, I contributed a feature to The Chemical Engineer on making the change from batch to continuous processing. Here's an edited version of that article for my loyal blog readers. As there is a push to become more efficient, many process industries have begun thinking about continuous processing. Many specialty and fine chemical operations are batch operated. It is easy and typically…
Real World Examples of Particle and Cake Formation Influences
Image source Process engineers might love it if all of the filtration technology solutions they developed ran flawlessly, at all times, under all conditions. But, this isn’t realistic. Something might go wrong with the filtration mechanism itself. A change in the environment — upstream or downstream — could cause problems with particle or cake formation. Even the smallest shift in the operation process or procedure can prompt the dreaded phone call to the engineer: “the filtration system isn’t…
Troubleshooting When the Filtration System is Not Working
Image source These are five dreaded words that no engineer wants to hear on a Saturday night or Sunday morning: “The filtration system is not working.” Of course, we never seem to get this call at 10 in the morning on a work day! No matter the time of day, let’s not panic, take a deep breath and begin the analysis. There are normally three main areas that must be examined when you learn the filtration system is not working: The filter itself for mechanical reasons The equipment around…
4 Key Differences between Filtration and Centrifugation
I'm always looking to collaborate and explore ideas with others in our filtration technology business. Happily, director of Oriental Manufacturers Jigar Patel, has offered this guest blog discussing differences between filtration and liquid solid centrifugation. I hope you enjoy Patel's perspective: Photo by gemmerich on Foter.com / CC BY-SA Filtration and centrifugation are two distinct separation techniques used for isolating the required components from the mixture. The major difference…
Cookies are yummy, but avoid cookie-cutters.
Photo credit: Amy Loves Yah / Source / CC BY We can all agree that cookies are yummy. Cookie monster is not the only creature out there who loves to chow down on a tasty chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin (my favorite are Thin Mints). What is not so good, though, is using a cookie-cutter approach to problem solving and filtration tests. In filtration testing and scaling-up to commercial size, it’s important to not “jump to conclusions" that the familiar approach is going to work best.…