Thinking Critically in Process Troubleshooting
In past blogs, I’ve talked about reactive and proactive process troubleshooting. Reactive troubleshooting requires quick action to look at mechanical issues, upstream and downstream equipment, and operational procedures. In proactive troubleshooting, we ask probing questions and walk around the plant to uncover potential problems and offer solutions. Dirk Willard, Contributing Editor of Chemical Processing, in his recent article “Read and Think Critically” offered more to think about on…
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…
Become a Filtration Tech Troubleshooting Expert
Image source Recently I addressed the too-familiar telephone call that the “filtration system is not working.” When the call comes in — and so seldom during regular business hours — filtration tech experts have to react quickly to solve the problem. Now, the question is how do you avoid getting these types of calls in the first place? Well, you can turn off your cell phone, but maybe isn’t the best idea. Instead, the better approach is proactive troubleshooting. Proactive Filtration Tech…
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…