Process Heating covers the gamut of low temperature thermal processing technologies througout the year. To help you be sure not to miss any articles on the topics that matter to you most, we've compiled an index of our 2021 articles organized by topic. Use the menu to go directly to each topic. Click on each link to read the full article.

Understanding Your Boiler System Increases Efficiency

March 2021

Whether you are a first-time industrial boiler buyer, considering a replacement, or looking for ways to improve an existing steam system, this article offers tips to help you get the most out of your steam system.

Trends in Process Heating with Boiler Systems

April 2021

Central boiler plants always will have a place in larger facilities. Boiler skid systems, however, may be a good fit for many process heating applications requiring steam or hot water generation.

Equipment Overview: Industrial Boilers

April 2021

Our Equipment Overview on Boilers allows readers to review the capabilities of a single industrial boiler manufacturer or identify all manufacturers with specific experience.

Understanding and Complying with Evolving Steam Boiler Emissions Regulations

July 2021

It is possible to find a steam boiler that meets both the equipment standards and the needs of a facility.

6 Common Questions about Boilers Used in Process Heating Applications

September 2021

Engineering and technical support from the design stage to troubleshooting can be among your best resources when it comes to questions about boilers and boiler systems.

Improve Overall Operations by Conducting Boiler Maintenance

October 2021

Advancements in cleaning tools, descaling chemicals and flue-temperature monitoring mean boilers are easier to maintain and can remain efficient throughout their operational lives.

Boiler Layup Method Can Help Prevent Corrosion in Idled Equipment

October 2021

Using vapor corrosion inhibitors as a part of an approach to boiler equipment layup can help prevent corrosion and thereby extend equipment life.

Improving Efficiency by Measuring Acid Dewpoint Temperature

January 2021

Knowledge of acid dewpoint temperature improves combustion efficiency and reduces maintenance issues.

The Importance of Testing Critical Control Systems

February 2021

A functional acceptance test can help alleviate the risks associated with performing first-run testing of factory logic programming for combustion controls or burner management on fired equipment in the field. Performing such testing helps ensure the manufacturing process for critical control systems.

Selecting Gas Combustion Safety Shutoff Valves and Actuators

March 2021

Natural gas-powered burner-boiler fuel trains need to be carefully designed and managed to satisfy industrial safety and regulatory requirements — and to meet performance and operational demands.

Burners 101: Natural-Draft Burners

March 2021

Due to the generally low cost and minimal maintenance requirements, natural-draft burners tend to be the predominant choice of burner type, specifically in the upstream and midstream oil-and-gas industry. This article will briefly discuss why that is the case.

10 Tips for Safeguarding Combustion Processes

May 2021

Myriad industrial process heating applications employ combustion systems, which are associated with a number of hazards. Despite these hazards, however, it is possible to keep industrial combustion systems operating safely and without event.

Temperature Uniformity Optimization in Process Ovens and Dryers

June 2021

Optimizing temperature uniformity can improve product quality, production rate and reduce maintenance outages and costs.

Achieving Effective Control of Process Heating Combustion Systems

August 2021

Careful selection of combustion control methods and equipment helps optimize the control of industrial heating systems.

Equipment Overview: Industrial Burners (2021 edition)

August 2021

Use our annual buying overview on burners to learn which suppliers offer the type of industrial process equipment you need.

How to Take Credit for an IPL Alarm in Your DCS

December 2021

Often, the functionally safer a system is built, the less reliable it becomes. In this article, the first of a two-part series, learn how to handle independent protection layer alarms. Part two of this series will demonstrate the concept using the example of a refinery furnace.

A Critical Control Point: The Story of a Dryer’s Material Handling

February 2021

How you introduce a product to the dryer’s conveyor affects capacity, efficiency and quality.

Equipment Overview: Industrial Dryers (2021 edition)

May 2021

Use our industrial dryer selection tool to compare industrial dryer makers and find those with experience with your industry.

Vibrating Fluid-Bed Dryers Handle Flowing Materials

August 2021

Vibrating fluid-bed dryers are a cost-effective, energy-efficient way to dry or cool products in process heating or cooling applications.

Heat Recovery in Process Industries via Assembled Plate Energy Banks

January 2021

Close examination of wasted heat in process plants provides an opportunity for an energy-recovery project.

Key Considerations for Tube-End Joint Design

March 2021

The connection between the tube and the tubesheet — called the tube-end joint — is arguably the most critical aspect of a heat exchanger. Factors to consider include joint design, welding equipment, proper cleaning of the tube and tubesheet prior to welding, the welding-expansion sequence, and testing and inspection.

Welded Plate Heat Exchangers Help Prevent Unplanned Downtime

April 2021

All-welded plate heat exchangers can handle heavy duties transferring heat for industrial process applications.

Bulk Solids Heat Transfer and Opportunities for Waste-Heat Recovery

July 2021

Moving-bed heat exchangers can help reduce the carbon footprint and energy costs of some process applications by capturing and repurposing heat that would otherwise be lost.

Heat Transfer: The Road to Recovery

August 2021

Condensing coils find application in solvent-recovery applications. One common use is during electrode manufacturing for lithium-ion batteries.

10 Questions to Ask Before You Rent a Food-Grade Heat Exchanger

October 2021

Using rental equipment strategically can help food and beverage processors improve their response to supply-chain issues, grow market share and reduce capital expenses.

Equipment Overview: Industrial Heat Exchangers (2021 edition)

October 2021

When selecting the type of industrial heat exchanger to use, construction materials, heat transfer medium, flow arrangement and heat transfer method are all factors to consider.

Capturing and Reusing Waste Heat

December 2021

Pairing ORC technology and bulk-solid heat exchangers can help some facilities capture otherwise lost thermal energy in bulk materials to reduce energy consumption and generate electricity.

Equipment Overview: Heat Transfer Fluids

January 2021

Our annual Equipment Overview on Heat Transfer Fluids offers a side-by-side comparison of manufacturers of thermal fluids for industrial applications. Find it in print and online at www.process-heating.com.

3 Strategies for Maximizing the Performance of Heat Transfer Fluids

September 2021

Following these strategies can save millions of dollars in unexpected maintenance activities and lost production.

Elastomeric Compatibility of Heat Transfer Fluids

September 2021

Specific commercially available elastomers are a better match — or mismatch — for different thermal fluid types. Considering chemical compatibility may influence fluid or seal choices in your application.

Heat Transfer Pumps Provide Benefits in High Temperature Applications

August 2021

As the operating range of high temperature heat transfer fluids expands beyond 750°F, the design of equipment used with these fluids, including high temperature pumps, must evolve as well.

Electric Air Heating Can Improve Your Process

March 2021

With an inefficient heating equipment configuration, operators can experience dwell time and temperature increases that limit production output. Before you can optimize the drying method used in your process, you must evaluate the heating method and product to be heated.

6 Points to Ponder When Selecting Circulation Heater

April 2021

Depending on the process conditions, circulation heaters can be manufactured with different element sheath materials, vessel materials, terminal housings, and power and pressure ratings.

Equipment Overview: Convection and Conduction Heaters (2021 edition)

June 2021

Use the 2021 edition of our convection and conduction heater selection tool to compare equipment makers and find those with experience with your industrial heating process.

Infrared Emitters Accelerate Production and Save Energy

July 2021

Processes such as drying, laminating and embossing of web materials can reap the benefits.

Packaged Heating Systems Provide Process Heating Benefits

September 2021

The savings, safety and optimization of the process make packaged heating systems a choice to consider for many applications.

Equipment Overview: SCR Power Controls (2021 edition)

August 2021

Our Equipment Overview on SCR Power Controls provides a tool to compare and contrast suppliers.

Equipment Overview: Infrared Heaters (2021 edition)

September 2021

Our Equipment Overview on Infrared Heaters compares manufacturers' capabilities to help you narrow the field of potential suppliers.

How to Select a Steam-Injection Heater for Your Hot Water Needs

December 2021

Taking into account these six considerations can help identify appropriate hot water heating equipment for an application.

Increasing Thermal Performance for Better Outcomes

January 2021

Operational, safety and maintenance data from devices and assets can be captured and centralized using low cost sensors and thermal process analytics.

Instrumentation Provides Data Critical to Improving Steam System Efficiency

February 2021

Getting more from a steam-generating and distribution system depends on measuring a range of critical variables.

Analytics Can Improve Operational Performance

June 2021

Eliminating data silos and incorporating contextual data with process data enhances operational understanding and transparency.

Driving Performance with Continuous Reliability Improvement

July 2021

When reliability gains from predictive maintenance begin to plateau, shifting your focus to condition monitoring can yield productivity gains and improved plant performance.

Equipment Overview: Industrial Ovens

March 2021

Our exclusive Equipment Overview allows readers to review the capabilities of a single manufacturer or identify industrial oven manufacturers with specific experience.

Thermal Processes for Additive Manufacturing

May 2021

For many years, 3D printing technology — or additive manufacturing, as it is often called — has been gaining ground against long-established manufacturing processes. In the early days, additive manufacturing was relegated to the realm of prototyping.

Retrofitting a Convection Oven with Gas Catalytic Infrared Heaters

June 2021

A retrofit project improves system performance and provides savings for one processing and powder coating line.

Selecting a Maintenance Program for Your Oven or Dryer

September 2021

The maintenance plan should be a function of how the unit is used, how often it is used and how critical its functionality is to production.

Retrofit or Replace? Evaluating Your Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer

February 2021

Consider these preventive maintenance tips and options for ways to extend the life of your regenerative thermal oxidizer.

Preventive Maintenance Improves Oxidizer Uptime

May 2021

Proper maintenance is essential for meeting regulatory requirements and avoiding costly and unexpected shutdowns and equipment failures.

Controlling Emissions with Wet Electrostatic Precipitators

November 2021

Pilot testing demonstrates technologies that companies can use to meet their pollution control needs.

Equipment Overview: Temperature Controllers

February 2021

What kind of control does your process need? Use our Equipment Overview to identify an industrial temperature controller supplier.

Monitoring Process Temperatures with Thermocouples

May 2021

Thermocouples can be found providing process temperature measurements in applications ranging from power generation to food-and-beverage processing. Gain a better understanding of these industrial jacks-of-all-trades.

The Ins and Outs of Temperature Control Units

June 2021

While the basic design and function of temperature control units can be relatively simple, each aspect has a wide-ranging impact on the system overall.

Common Industrial Applications for Thermocouples and RTDs

July 2021

By helping to optimize temperature control during the manufacturing process, thermocouples and RTDs help create better end products.

Using Tubeskin Thermocouples for Industrial Oven Temperature Measurement

October 2021

A properly installed tubeskin thermocouple extends the life and performance of furnace tubes in industrial heating equipment.