What are spray dryers? Spray drying is a method of rapidly drying a liquid mixture or slurry into a dry powder using a hot gas. Spray dryers are often used in the food, pharmaceutical and…
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The use of rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries continues to grow in electronic products, automobiles (EV) and energy storage systems (ESS). This is due to their high energy density and decreasing cost. A battery ESS can…
Read MoreTransformers can be either dry type or fluid filled. In this article, we will talk about fluid filled transformers and, in particular, the types of testing that should be conducted on the fluid or oil …
Read MoreThe large numbers of food factories and warehouses worldwide will continue to climb in the coming years. These food facilities have similarities in their construction that may put them at increased fire risk. Risk factors…
Read MoreThe benefits of an Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM) program at an industrial or commercial facility are well known. In our January 2005 article “Electrical Testing,” we explained that deterioration of electrical equipment is normal, but…
Read MoreThere are significant property loss prevention hazards that occur during the construction of a building. The challenge is having active manual or automatic protection and detection available as soon as possible. In most cases, automatic…
Read MoreWith the advent of today’s electronics devices comes a new power source: rechargeable lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries. The technology of Li-ion batteries packs a decided punch in that the power to weight ratio (power density)…
Read MoreEmergency generators are used to maintain electrical power to facilities and equipment considered important and/or critical to continued plant operations. They may be found in occupancies such as data processing, molten materials, communications switching, medical…
Read MoreDamage to fire protection equipment can occur during winter weather and in all regions. It happens in areas where freezing temperatures are common and in areas where temperatures are typically moderate with freezing temperatures not…
Read MoreOn a regular basis we look at our previous articles and, when sufficient changes occur, we update them for our readers. Sometimes it’s due to new technology, sometimes to loss history and sometimes to look…
Read MoreDriver and safety training for lift truck operators are very important to industrial plant or distribution warehouse managers and owners for obvious reasons, with personnel safety at the top of the list. But what about…
Read MoreMetal cleaning can be performed through spraying/immersion in solvents, corrosive solutions and vapor degreasers, through mechanical cleaning, and, by heating treating in oil or molten salt baths (discussed in our February 2011 article). In this…
Read MoreCommercial ammonia refrigeration systems are widely used throughout various industries, but are used primarily in the food industry to help prolong shelf life. All refrigeration systems operate essentially as heat pumps, removing the heat from…
Read MoreFreeze-ups can cause damage to your site’s buildings, operations and fire protection equipment. Here are some basic items that can help prevent and control that damage. Have a winterization plan in place. Review it well…
Read MoreThe use of natural gas is very common in most industrial and commercial buildings. The gas can be used for process and/or heating. Natural gas is highly combustible, and various precautions are needed to ensure…
Read MoreIn our discussion of Ammonia refrigerated warehouses, we should begin with an understanding of what we are dealing with. ANSI/ASHRE-15 classifies Ammonia as a Group 2 Refrigerant – prominently a toxicity hazard. Your main concern…
Read MoreYou have moved the fuel, burned it, generated the steam to drive the generator and sent the power on its way. You might think you are in good shape if you have addressed the fire…
Read MoreThe electrical demands in industrial or commercial buildings vary from simple lighting and heating requirements for an office building to major on-site power distribution centers for a steel mill, semiconductor plant or other large manufacturing…
Read MoreCooling towers are very common in commercial/industrial occupancies. They may be used to for air conditioning needs or for process cooling for certain types of production equipment. Towers used for process cooling can be an…
Read MoreIf you store, process or generate combustible liquids or dusts, the fire and explosion potential is reason enough to be concerned about the electrical design for the areas involved. The extent of the concern, and…
Read MoreHeat transfer systems are used widely throughout various industries. Their most common use is in chemical processes where temperature control is needed for large quantities of materials. The greatest concern is where the heat transfer…
Read MoreHeating equipment such as boilers, heaters, ovens, kilns or process furnaces are found in all businesses and industries. The equipment can be utilized simply for building heat or be a key element in the manufacturing…
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