 | In the modern product design process, the finite element method has become an everyday tool used to predict the behavior of components and assemblies. Interpretation of analysis results helps the engineer predict behavior and reduce the number of prototypes, physical tests, and development time scales & costs, all the while increasing innovation. Analysts and designers work together in the design process—using advanced optimization methods—to find the best answers. | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | Industrial operations in developed countries are facing ever more stringent requirements for low NO, CO, and particulate emissions. Additionally, increased fuel costs and downward price pressure on consumer products mean that process plants must do more with less, while ensuring maximum reliability in plant equipment and a minimum amount of down-time. This combination of challenges has a particularly burdensome impact on industrial burner manufacturers, who not only have to guarantee emission levels, but are also called upon to make sure these new and entirely different low emission burners provide the same thermal conditions as the older models. These challenges have resulted in low emissions and high heat output in modern high end burners. The highest performing models are carefully designed using engineering simulation tools. | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | Assembly analysis is one of the most complex techniques for accurately predicting how a multi-component structure will perform. Through the automation of proven techniques, engineers can realize the benefits gained by properly performing assembly analysis. However, the user needs to understand the capabilities, limitations, and risks of performing assembly analysis. This discussion reviews the most common techniques used by computer-aided engineering software developers. | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | “Oil services” refers to upstream oil and gas work outsourced by large suppliers. It is a broad term, and describes tasks ranging from well drilling and completion to supply of offshore platforms. In many ways, the “service” portion of the term is a misnomer, since, for example, a well completion leaves the customer with a product (the well, liner, packing material, etc.). | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | In its Annual Energy Outlook for 2005, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has projected that the country will face an 8.7 trillion cubic feet gap in domestic natural gas production by 2025. This trend is currently being felt acutely by Americans who heat their homes with natural gas, in addition to those who pay electricity bills in regions where pricing is set by land-based gas turbines. | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | Oil and gas refiners have run into some new and difficult challenges in recent years. Among them are the requirements for large capital expenditures and increased hydrogen usage for low sulfur fuels that are mandated by new environmental standards. Gasoline shortages caused by the hurricane damage in the United States Gulf Coast region has prompted news reports highlighting increased profit margins for refineries. Typically these margin increases are represented in absolute terms on a per gallon basis, and are not normalized by the cost of crude oil, which must be paid by the refiner. Although the price of gasoline has increased significantly, there is continued downward price pressure on petroleum products that are used in the chemical industry, because consumers and distributors have been able to keep consumer product prices low. Therefore, minimizing unplanned down-time while keeping operational and utility costs at a minimum is critical to business. | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | The primary challenge currently faced by the power generation industry is meeting the increasing consumer demand for electricity while reducing airborne toxic emissions in compliance with federal regulations. The most recent regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR). | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | One of the hottest technology growth areas is microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which also is called micromachines and microsystems in Asia and Europe. Made with semiconductor construction techniques, these devices have tiny parts measured in microns (millionths of a meter) and are frequently combined with integrated circuits on a single chip to provide built-in intelligence and signal processing. | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | As markets expand due to globalization, chemical manufacturers are faced with the challenge of meeting the rapidly growing global demand for production at a time when production costs are increasing due to rising feedstock prices. One way for chemical manufacturers to ensure profitability in the current environment is to foster innovation through the use of advanced modeling techniques. The Chemical Industry Vision 2020 Technology Partnership highlights opportunities to address several challenges in the chemical industry through shared pre-competitive research and development activities in many technology areas, and offers a special focus on high-end modeling. In this paper we examine the available technologies in the chemical industry and highlight several areas where major advances have been achieved through innovation fostered by advanced modeling of industrial processes. | Add to briefcase Download Now |
| | The continuous rise in power dissipation levels combined with a reduced cabinet footprint is the norm in the electronics industry - a trend that is likely to continue. While advanced cooling systems such as spray cooling, jet impingement, and liquid cooling may provide solutions for the removal of high local heat fluxes, forced air cooling remains to be the most practical and the most widely used thermal management solution in practice today, largely because it is reliable and well understood. However, larger cooling demands require higher airflow rates which in turn may require novel fan designs and/or a better understanding of fan-system interaction. Increased airflow rates also come with a noise penalty. By taking a detailed look at the fan design, fan-system interaction, and fan acoustics emissions, forced air cooling can live up to its highest potential. | Add to briefcase Download Now |