Creative Troubleshooting in the Chemical Process Industries - Hardcover

Saletan, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0412984415 ISBN 13: 9780412984419

Publisher: Springer, 1994

Synopsis

This unique volume defines for the first time a professional discipline for manufacturing support in the chemical process industries: PTS, or process troubleshooting.Emphasizing full diagnosis of the process problem before proceeding to implement a proposed solution, the author illustrates the subtle technical and human factors involved in elusive manufacturing system problems. Phenomena such as trace chemistry, operative beneath the process surface, and entrapment of minor components in distillation, which are rarely reported in the literature, are shown to be critical to the operability of many well-known processes.

Engineers and chemists involved in PTS will welcome the insightful and practical approaches to manufacturing process problems demonstrated in this pioneering volume. It may also make a useful addition to the libraries of research and design people interested in a wider context for exploiting their craft. The accessible treatment of operating process systems will introduce chemistry and engineering students to some subtleties of industrial settings.

About this title

From the Author

Troubleshooting is presented as a craft distinctive to manufacturing support, rather than a retread of design or conventional process engineering. Creative way are described to inductively achieve root-cause identification of embedded process flaws that can "erupt" to impair operability or product quality. Premature or inappropriate curative action is forestalled by enhancing the problem visualization phase, enlarging the context through metaphor and imagery: "making the strange familar; making the familiar strange.

An established process is viewed as an organic system, in a methodology that treats the "whole patient". Generic problems like "bulges" in distillation, foaming, product quality, are linked to trace chemistry pathways operative beneath the process surface. Modules of fluid mechanics, distillation, reaction, and control, which figure either as elements in problems or as potential aids in their solution, are catalogued.

This book does not provide a "cookbook" set of solutions to specific problems. It is concerned rather with fostering changes in the "culture" of manufacturing support, avoiding jargon, communicating ideas across disciplinary lines, enlisting patience, curiosity, and qualitative imagery and judgments.

About the Author

Received a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Employed by Shell Chemical and Shell Development Cos.in varied assignments, particularly in troubleshhoting and retrofit improvement of established chemical processes. Saletan is a licensed professional engineer in Texas, where he is currently engaged in teaching and consulting.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0412984415
• ISBN 13: 9780412984419
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 365