Understanding the Software Options

August 2011 In ThIs Issue
Volume 118, no. 8
covEr Story
www.che.com
22 Cover Story Evaluating Capital Cost
Estimation Programs Five capital cost
estimation programs are compared
using a set of case studies
nEwS
9 Chementator A new grinding mill
achieves finer, more uniform particles; A
promising new forward-osmosis membrane;
The commercial launch of a new
asymmetric hydrogenation catalyst; Gold
nanoparticles for adsorbent foam; A
U.S. power plant goes dry for handling
bottom ash; An energy-saving desalination
process moves ahead; and more
14 Newsfront The Bio-Based Economy
Bio-based technologies are being developed
around the world. Here, we focus
on one country’s advances on this front
17 Newsfront Analyzers Keep Watch Inline
Keeping an ‘eye’ on every step of the
chemical process is possible — and profitable
— thanks to new inline analyzers
EnginEEring
20a Facts at Your Fingertips Heat-transfer
system cleaning This one-page reference
guide describes the steps required in
effective filtration, flushing and cleaning
processes for heat-transfer systems
30 Feature Report Today’s Process Automation
Worlds An overview of the
current and future direction of process
control
40 The Fractionation Column How long
does it take to reach steady state?
Various factors affect the time it takes to
reach steady state, including how you define
it
41 Environmental Manager Practice
Green Chemical Engineering Chemical
engineers have countless opportunities
to apply their talents to environmentally
related improvements, specifically in R&D,
plant design and operations
45 Solids Processing Preventing Self-
Heating and Ignition in Drying Operations
Incident investigation reveals that
the most common root cause is lack of
understanding
EquipmEnt & SErvicES
only on chE.com
Our redesigned website featuring: Extras from our
Cover Story, New Products; Latest News; and more
20I-1 New Products & Services (International
Edition) A fine way to separate
solids from slurries; Detect oil leaks with
this alarm system; An infrared thermometer
with a USB interface; New valve design
for both control and on/off position;
This patented system discharges drums
safely, and dust-free; Avoid downtime
from unexpected pump failure with this
system; and more
20D-1 Show Preview — ChemInnovations
2011 (Domestic Edition) The 2nd annual
ChemInnovations Conference and
Tradeshow will take place in Houston in
September. This preview provides a guide
to the features of the event
20D-6 New Products and Services
(Domestic Edition) A data collector
with longterm storage; This sifter achieves
vibration-free separation; These couplers
automatically shut off in disconnections;
This screener can dry on-size particles; A
digital remote level sensor; and more
48 Focus on Rupture Discs and Pressure
Relief The lowest K R values for rupture
discs; A system that manages all overpressure
relief devices; Reverse-acting
rupture discs for aggressive sanitary applications;
Two layers deliver added benefits
with this rupture disc; and more
commEntary
5 Editor’s Page Boiling uncertainty A
major regulatory hurdle for many U.S.
boiler owners is on hiatus for now, and the
ultimate outcome is up in the air
dEpartmEntS
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Calendar ........ 7–8
Who’s Who .......21
Reader Service
page ............54
Economic
Indicators . . . . . 55–56
advErtiSErS
Product Showcase . . 50
Classified
Advertising .... 51–52
Advertiser Index . . . 53
coming
in SEptEmbEr
Look for: Feature
Reports on Pneumatic
Conveying; and Sealing;
Engineering Practice
articles on Silencing
Steam Hammer in a
Reboiler; and Liquid
Tanks with Dome-Shaped
Heads; News articles
on Rubber Chemicals;
and Water Treatment;
Facts at Your Fingertips
on High Purity
Processing; a Focus on
Engineering Software; a
new installment of The
Fractionation Column;
and more
Cover: David Whitcher
ChemiCal engineering www.Che.Com august 2011 3