NOVEMBER 2012 IN THIS ISSUE *ONLY ON CHE.COM www.che.com COVER STORY 26 Cover Story Dust Explosions: Prevention and Protection Understand what causes these disasters and then put these practical measures in place NEWS 9 Chementator This filtration system saves time, space and money; A new catalyst enables lower-temperature H2 production; Microbial processing of ore; Quickcharging lithium batteries on the horizon; and more 16 Newsbriefs Biofuels coalition defends Renewable Fuel Standard; OECD CLI forecasts weakening growth; EPA scientific advisory process reform bill introduced; and more 17 Newsfront Wanted: CPI Engineers Workforce challenges create a competitive labor market for chemical engineers 20 Newsfront Under Pressure Today's pressure-measurement devices are improving, so your process can too ENGINEERING 25 Facts at Your Fingertips Particle-Size Reduction This one-page reference guide discusses key properties for size reduction, and outlines methods for estimating breakage energy 31 Feature Report Variable-Frequency Drives for Centrifugal Pumps A method to estimate the economics of using variable-frequency drives 43 Engineering Practice Anti-Surge Valves for Dynamic Compressors Follow this guidance to improve the selection and sizing of anti-surge valves for axial and centrifugal compressors 48 Engineering Practice Designing Chemical Injection Systems Follow these guidelines to properly introduce various additives into process streams More on: Analyzers; New Products; Latest news; and more VOLUME 119, NO. 12 COMMENTARY 5 Editor's Page Are you ready for inspection? Changes are coming to OSHA's Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program, and Hazard Communications Standard. Both will be addressed at ChemInnovations 2012 55 The Fractionation Column My body as a distillation column The author and his physician speak the language of chemical engineering in the exam room EQUIPMENT & SERVICES 23 Focus on Analyzers* This flow monitor now has FM and FMc approvals; Save money on reagents with this titrator; This handheld particulate monitor has a high selectivity range; Find the density of slurries with this device; and more 24D-1 ChemInnovations Show Preview 2 (Domestic edition) The ChemInnovations conference and tradeshow in New Orleans on November 14-15 will feature an exhibit floor with over 160 vendors. Here is a sampling of the products and services to be displayed 24D-4 Weftec Show Review* (Domestic edition) Weftec 2012 attracted over 17,000 attendees to New Orleans last month. Here is a small group of products and services that were shown on the exhibit floor 24I-1 New Products* (International edition) Structured packing for gasscrubber applications; This solenoid valve operator is removable under pressure; Check product color with this handheld device; Save film and energy with this packaging system; and more DEPARTMENTS Letters . . . . . . . . . . 6 Bookshelf . . . . . . 7-8 Who's Who . . . . . . 62 Reader Service . . . 60 Economic Indicators . . . . 63-64 ADVERTISERS Product Showcase . 57 Classified Advertising . . . 58-59 Advertiser Index . . 61 COMING IN DECEMBER Look for: Feature Reports on Gasification; and Respiratory Protection; Engineering Practice articles on Rotating Equipment; Pigging; and Avoiding Project Failures; a Focus on Mechanical Conveying; News articles on the Personal Achievement Award; and Simulation; and more Cover photo: Elizabeth Whitcher CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHE.COM NOVEMBER 2012 3http://www.CHE.COM http://www.che.com http://WWW.CHE.COM