Introduction Flashbacks from Thermal Oxidizers cost the Chemical Process Industries millions of dollars in equipment damage and plant down time. Why does this happen? Is it the manufacturers of the thermal oxidizers fault? It is normally not the manufacturers fault. The thermal oxidizers operating manual normally says that the client must follow NFPA guidelines. NFPA … [Read more...]
Explosion Investigations with the Three Column Method – Part 3 of 3 in a Series on Explosions
Explosion Investigations Corporations spend enormous amounts of money on explosion investigations. Yet experienced investigators know there are only 9 ignition sources. For an actual asphalt tank fire, the analysis is shown below and whether or not this ignition source was ruled out. Column 1 is labeled: What facts do we know about the incident Column 2 is labeled: What … [Read more...]
Consider Fischer-Tropsch for the Production of Hydrocarbons
Making waste into something useful is only one of the things that you can do with Fischer-Tropsch technology. What is the process and how can it benefit you? The Fischer-Tropsch Process The Fischer-Tropsch process is a series of chain growth reactions that involve converting carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas) into straight chain hydrocarbons and/or paraffin wax . Using … [Read more...]
Systemic Safety Failures at the University of Hawaii
Most people think of Hawaii and images of pineapples and luaus come to mind. The idea of a complex chemical laboratory is probably not one that would ever come to mind. Yet recently, in the middle of this island paradise, a postdoc student was seriously injured in an explosion that was completely preventable. This only goes to highlight the importance of maintaining a culture … [Read more...]