July 2006
Volume XII, Number 7
Save Energy Now!

Energy Conservation Strategy
Fluid Handling Techniques for Efficient Plant Operations
The high cost of oil and natural gas has put energy savings on the front burner for many plant operators, as energy at a reasonable price point is vital to the success of most manufacturing processes, particularly for energy-intensive nations like the United States. With just 5 percent of the world’s population, the United States is responsible for nearly 26 percent of the world’s energy consumption. Faced with such high energy demand and a limited supply of energy resources, U.S. manufacturers must do a better job of using energy efficiently to keep energy costs in check. Fortunately, there are programs and institutions in place to help manufacturers operate more efficiently.

Stainless Steel Study
Ultralow-Manganese vs. Low-Manganese & Standard 316L Alloys
A recent study conducted by Swagelok Company, a manufacturer of stainless steel fluid handling components and systems, examined the corrosion behavior of ultralow-manganese, low-manganese, and standard 316L alloys in different gaseous environments, aiming to answer the following questions: • Which elements evaporate during orbital autogenous welding of the 316L alloy test samples that contain varying amounts of manganese? • How does a low-humidity, halogen-containing environment affect as-welded test samples during short-term (24 h) and long-term (28 day) exposure? • How does the corrosion resistance of post-weld passivated samples compare when they are exposed to a low-humidity (100 PPM moisture), halogen-containing gas atmosphere?

Rupture-Panel Selection
Ensuring Proper Pressure Relief in Explosive Applications
Applications dealing with combustible gases and dusts often require safety devices to help prevent damage from explosions. There are multiple measures that may be taken to prevent this damage. Of the available options, rupture panels (also referred to as explosion vents) have emerged as one of the most common forms of explosion protection because of their affordability and rapid response time.

To Replace or Not to Replace
Addressing a DP Meter’s Low-Flow Performance
Instrument selection is an interesting topic because it encompasses many aspects of the installation, including the process, the environment in which the instrument must operate, maintenance requirements to keep the instrument operating properly, reliability, performance, and cost. Many of us routinely evaluate these and other parameters to select a particular instrument to specify and purchase. To think of it in the abstract, the instrument selection process can be likened to starting a drawing on a blank page with only the edges of the paper to worry about. But what happens when you have to deal with an existing instrument? The analog would be one of starting with an almost fully drawn picture instead of a blank piece of paper. A salient question is whether to fix the picture or just throw away the paper.

Is Your Pump Starving to Death?
The Difference Between NPSHa and GPSHa
As humans we have a number of basic needs. Breathing, eating, and drinking bring energy and nourishment to our bodies. We also need to rest and sleep, to express talents and abilities, to love and to procreate. Of all these needs, breathing is at the top of the list. Breathing is the primary need. Like humans, a pump also has a basic primary need.

Quiz Corner: Insertion Flowmeter Performance
What Factors Do You Need to Consider?
Insertion flowmeters are often used to avoid the expense and difficulty of installing a full-bore flowmeter in large pipes. Which of the following factors can affect the performance of insertion flowmeters?

In Pursuit of Process Efficiency
Fighting Against Ever-Tighter Margins
I was at a training seminar presented by a major manufacturer of Coriolis flowmeters recently, during which some of the company’s customers held sessions on how they’ve been able to achieve process efficiency by employing Coriolis flowmeter technology. The manufacturer and its customers shall remain nameless here for fear of giving this column a promotional air, but I must say the event was an eye-opening experience, one that made me realize just how important process efficiency is in the modern-day manufacturing environment.