Issue Archive

Pilot plants: destined for development
Pilot plants are on the verge of an unprecedented evolution. Read about the 10 factors that'll impact the design, construction and operation of these next-generation units.

Engineers should talk up the profession
A recent poll provides an industrial perspective and points up its troubling implications. As many universities are discovering, science and technology aren’t as popular as they once were. It's your job to spread the word, however small.

Nanotechnology raises big concerns
Nanotechnology is grabbing headlines these days and the growing prospects of its use is spurring increasing attention to safety issues. This article examines the worldwide reaction to burgeoning popularity of the technology and what safety concerns are legit.

Plants smarten up
Smart field devices can be a smart investment to better manage assets and thus boost competitiveness. These devices are increasingly being relied for analysis as well as data collection.

Keep a steady eye on measurements
While engineers often strive to keep processes running without too much variation, measurements that don’t change may be a cause for concern not celebration, as one refinery can attest.

Level transmitter — art not science
There is much more to setting up a transmitter than a mere equation. Design and control errors can certainly compromise performance. Follow these simple tricks to get it right.

Measure your progress
How well do you know your measurement uncertainties? Find out with this 15-item quiz from Dr. Gooddata.

Effective Shift Handover Is No Accident
A successful handover between shifts heavily depends on the organizational skills of management and the effective use of the communication tools available. Learn what these tools are and get the most out of your operators.

Mississippi plants show their grit
As the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, life remains far from normal in many areas of the Gulf Coast. Amid the destruction, though, some hard-hit chemical plants provide proof of what can be accomplished.

Acid scavenger prevents sticky problem
Development of ionic liquids that exhibit useful and unique properties has created huge untapped potential for commercial applications to increase operating efficiencies of many chemical production operations.

NIOSH makes big effort on small particles
Many federal and international bodies are striving to identify and conduct research to fill data needs in connection with the health and safety implications of nanotechnology.

Typewriters send a somber message
Lack of skilled technicians and parts can doom otherwise useful equipment.

Let’s cut through barbed wireless
Divergent standards could snag efficient deployment of devices.

Active sensors make drums smart
Chemical plants, already increasingly relying on intelligent field devices tied into control networks, may benefit from a different type of smart sensor for goods and equipment.

RFID device wins Hermes award
The award, which includes a trophy and a €100,000 check (said to be the largest prize in engineering), recognizes successful deployment of pioneering technology.

Automation Federation launched
The Automation Federation, an umbrella organization for societies involved with process control and automation, now is being formed.