Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Wassereinsparung in Ölveredelungsfabriken

Possibilities and Limits of Water Economy in Oil Refining Plants After a preliminary discussion of the problem of when the implementation of measures for economizing on water consumption is to be rejected from the managerial accounting point of view, when it should be taken into consideration and when it would be reasonable, the process of refining edible oils and the nature and quantity of the waste water produced in the process are dealt with. On the basis of this information the possibilities for reducing water consumption in edible fat refineries with their effects on the water situation are discussed. In a final comment methods of diminising the pollution load on production effluent are described.     

Automatisierung in der Verfahrenstechnik — Möglichkeiten und Grenzen

Automation in the chemical industry – scope and limitations . Tempestuous developments in semiconductor technology centering upon the microprocessor open up new possibilities of automation in chemical engineering. The traditional appearance of process control rooms is changing drastically. A few video display units with uniform keyboards suffice to monitor and control an extensive chemical plant. In spite of all technical perfection, automation has its limitations wherever unavoidable irregularities require human intervention. This in turn requires that one is in command of both the process and the function of the automatic mechanism.     

Genetik: Aufgaben,Möglichkeiten und Grenzen in der Biotechnologie

Genetics: Task, potential and limits in biotechnology . To what extent genetics may contribute to the improvement of biotechnological processes is discussed with regard to tasks, potential and limitations. Since a main requirement of industry is not only to enhance the yield of microbial products, but also to achieve stable production levels, the task of genetics is to accomplish this through concerted breeding, i. e recombination of the genetic material to complement the traditional selection and mutation methods. The potential application of genetics is explained with the aid of specific examples chosen for various organisms and their processes. The first example deals with single cell protein production from yeasts, a problem originating from industry and certainly a challenge to basic genetics. The second example is genetic control of morphogenesis of fruit bodies in higher basidiomycetes, a topic which originated through basic research but which has implications for recycling procedures. The third, a joint venture, senescence, was originally of theoretical interest, but is relevant in avoiding strain aging in fermenters. Since it is now evident that the causative agent of senescence is plasmid-like DNA, a new field for basic research has been opened, since there is a real possibility of applying gene cloning to filamentous fungi, thus adding even further potential to the practical application of fungal processes. Finally the limitations in applying genetics to biotechnological problems are listed under the headings. (1) Genetic information co-existence problems in closely related organisms. (2) Inability of cells to produce a stable product after receiving foreign genetic information, and (3) the stability of genetic information following hybridisation.     

Möglichkeiten und Grenzen deduktiven Vorgehens bei der Entwicklung technischer Katalysatoren

Possibilities and limitations of a deductive approach to the development of industrial catalysts . Solid catalysts are an integral part of most industrial reactors and catalyst development is thus a fundamental part of chemical reaction engineering. While most other chemical plant components can be designed and optimized on the basis of physical theory and well established correlations, such a procedure appears to be inapplicable in catalyst development. Empirical methods are always necessary in this field because the kinetics of chemical reactions taking place at the active component cannot be quantitatively predicted by theory. A stringent analytical approach is needed to deduce the kinetics of chemical transformation at the site of catalytic activity from the observed reactor behaviour. It is then possible to design and optimize the morphology of the catalyst, taking into account the coupling of chemical reactions with transport phenomena. The development of industrial catalysts can be a rational undertaking if empiricism is complemented by engineering principles.     

CAPE in der Praxis — Möglichkeiten und Grenzen aus Nutzersicht

CAPE in Practice - Opportunities and Limits from the User's Point of View . CAPE tools comprise computer based tools and methods for the design of chemical processes - the use of which is indispensable in modern chemical engineering. This paper discusses the degree to which CAPE is already applied and whether limitations exist. Within BASF, the CAPE framework is provided by the “ProcessNet”, which integrates numerous simulation and design tools. The engineer relies alternatively on inhouse or commercial software. The advantage of CAPE in terms of efficiency depends not only on complex programs, but also to a large extent on the multiple use of intermediate data and program modules. The ProcessNet also features a hierarchical file structure to support the engineer's desktop management. The CAPE environment is being continuously improved. The main constraints on CAPE today are, for example, the missing link between fluid and solid applications, a deficit in data management and the poor state of development of advanced or special programs. The progress of research in this area is followed with great interest.     

Kostenvorausberechnung von Apparaten und Anlagen — Möglichkeiten und Grenzen

Costing of equipment and plants – possibilities and limitations. The costing of individual items of equipment and of complete plants differs considerably with respect to design as well as to the accuracy and time-requirement of the calculation method. These calculations are included in the usual way in economic evaluations of plants in order to assess the overall profit situation of a plant project. Numerous publications on this subject have appeared in recent years. They are evaluated in this report with reference to the abovementioned aspects. Besides the cost-precalculation methods used in project engineering, a few systematic costing methods are proposed for the planning-, erecting- and operating-period of a plant. This facet of the subject is also critically examined.