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chemical engineering

Rubby formation in methanol auto-thermal reformer showing catalyst damage and silica deposition inside heat exchanger tube.

Heat Exchanger Fouling and Rubby Formation

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Heat exchanger fouling in methanol plants can be a symptom of a deeper problem inside the Auto-Thermal Reformer (ATR): Ruby (or Rubby) Formation. This phenomenon occurs when impurities and hot spots weaken the catalyst support, releasing silica particles that deposit on exchanger tubes and reduce thermal efficiency. Several mitigation approaches are applied in industry — among them Steam Washing, impurity control, optimized ATR operation, and improved catalyst formulations — to limit fouling and maintain reliable plant performance.

Blue jacketed reactor used for temperature control in chemical processes

Heat Transfer Basics for Engineers

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Heat transfer is a fundamental unit operation in chemical engineering, essential for energy recovery and process control. This article explains the main industrial configurations: process-to-process heat exchange, utility-based systems such as reboilers and condensers, and integrated solutions like jacketed reactors. Direct-contact cases such as cooling towers and scrubbers are also considered, showing how thermal energy is managed in real plants.

Chemical reactor vessel with flanged nozzles and a manway — industrial process equipment

Rupture Disc Positioning: Best Practices

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A practical comparison between What-If Analysis and HAZOP for process safety studies, with real examples from chemical plants. Learn when to apply each method, their similarities, and how to avoid missing critical hazards.

Curvature of stainless steel pipes against a concrete wall – example of fluid transport system design

2. Bernoulli’s Principle: Equation&Applications

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Bernoulli’s Principle Explained for Engineers In the article Fluid Dynamics Basics for Engineers we introduced the concepts of streamlines, flow tubes, and the continuity equation, showing how velocity is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of a pipe. This leads naturally to the next fundamental concept: the relationship between pressure, velocity, and elevation described by Bernoulli’s… Read More »2. Bernoulli’s Principle: Equation&Applications

Fluid dynamics concept with blue water arrow symbolizing flow direction

1. Fluid Dynamics Basics for Engineers

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Fluid Dynamics Basics for Engineers Fluid dynamics is one of the fundamental sciences in chemical and process engineering, just like thermodynamics and heat transfer. It is not itself a unit operation, but rather the theoretical foundation that allows us to design pumps, pipelines, valves, and entire networks of fluid transport. When these principles are applied in… Read More »1. Fluid Dynamics Basics for Engineers

Industrial workshop interior with large machinery, steel pipes, and overhead cranes.

Decarbonization: VSD Pump Level Control

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Variable Speed Drive (VSD) pumps with level control can reduce energy consumption and support industrial decarbonization. This article explains how the technology works, shows practical examples, and highlights the role of chemical engineers in achieving sustainability goals.

Team of engineers performing a What-If Analysis on a whiteboard during a process safety meeting in a conference room.

What-If Analysis vs HAZOP in Process Safety

  • CEZ 

A practical comparison between What-If Analysis and HAZOP for process safety studies, with real examples from chemical plants. Learn when to apply each method, their similarities, and how to avoid missing critical hazards.

Industrial tank engulfed in flames during an ATEX-related explosion in a chemical plant

Hazardous Area Classification: ATEX Zones

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Understand the fundamentals of ATEX zone classification for gases, vapours, and mists according to Directive 1999/92/EC. This article explains where the classification applies, how to interpret Zones 0, 1, and 2, and what to consider for equipment such as pumps, piping, and tanks — including internal volumes.