- Table View
- List View
Disputed Inheritance: The Battle over Mendel and the Future of Biology
by Gregory RadickA root-and-branch rethinking of how history has shaped the science of genetics. In 1900, almost no one had heard of Gregor Mendel. Ten years later, he was famous as the father of a new science of heredity—genetics. Even today, Mendelian ideas serve as a standard point of entry for learning about genes. The message students receive is plain: the twenty-first century owes an enlightened understanding of how biological inheritance really works to the persistence of an intellectual inheritance that traces back to Mendel’s garden. Disputed Inheritance turns that message on its head. As Gregory Radick shows, Mendelian ideas became foundational not because they match reality—little in nature behaves like Mendel’s peas—but because, in England in the early years of the twentieth century, a ferocious debate ended as it did. On one side was the Cambridge biologist William Bateson, who, in Mendel’s name, wanted biology and society reorganized around the recognition that heredity is destiny. On the other side was the Oxford biologist W. F. R. Weldon, who, admiring Mendel's discoveries in a limited way, thought Bateson's "Mendelism" represented a backward step, since it pushed growing knowledge of the modifying role of environments, internal and external, to the margins. Weldon's untimely death in 1906, before he could finish a book setting out his alternative vision, is, Radick suggests, what sealed the Mendelian victory. Bringing together extensive archival research with searching analyses of the nature of science and history, Disputed Inheritance challenges the way we think about genetics and its possibilities, past, present, and future.
Disputed Inheritance: The Battle over Mendel and the Future of Biology
by Gregory RadickA root-and-branch rethinking of how history has shaped the science of genetics. In 1900, almost no one had heard of Gregor Mendel. Ten years later, he was famous as the father of a new science of heredity—genetics. Even today, Mendelian ideas serve as a standard point of entry for learning about genes. The message students receive is plain: the twenty-first century owes an enlightened understanding of how biological inheritance really works to the persistence of an intellectual inheritance that traces back to Mendel’s garden. Disputed Inheritance turns that message on its head. As Gregory Radick shows, Mendelian ideas became foundational not because they match reality—little in nature behaves like Mendel’s peas—but because, in England in the early years of the twentieth century, a ferocious debate ended as it did. On one side was the Cambridge biologist William Bateson, who, in Mendel’s name, wanted biology and society reorganized around the recognition that heredity is destiny. On the other side was the Oxford biologist W. F. R. Weldon, who, admiring Mendel's discoveries in a limited way, thought Bateson's "Mendelism" represented a backward step, since it pushed growing knowledge of the modifying role of environments, internal and external, to the margins. Weldon's untimely death in 1906, before he could finish a book setting out his alternative vision, is, Radick suggests, what sealed the Mendelian victory. Bringing together extensive archival research with searching analyses of the nature of science and history, Disputed Inheritance challenges the way we think about genetics and its possibilities, past, present, and future.
Disrupting Copyright: How Disruptive Innovations and Social Norms are Challenging IP Law (Intellectual Property, Theory, Culture)
by Margery R HilkoNew innovations are created every day, but today’s business leaders are focused on finding disruptive innovations which are cheaper and lower performing than upmarket technologies. They create new markets, and challenge the status quo of existing technological thinking creating uncertainty both in the future of the innovation and the outcome of the market upheaval. Disruptive innovation is an influential innovation theory in business, but how does it affect the law? Several of these technologies have brought new ways for individuals to deal with copyright works while disrupting existing market expectations, while their ability to spawn social norms has presented challenges for legislation. Considering disruptive innovation as a class, this book examines innovations that have impacted copyright in the past, what lessons can be learned from how the law interacted with them, and how the law can successfully deal with them going forward. Creating comprehensive guidance that can be used when faced with disruptive innovations with the aim of more successful legislation, it considers whether copyright law itself has been disrupted through these innovations. Exploring whether disruptive innovations as a class have unique properties that necessitate action by legislators and whether these properties have the possibility to disrupt the law itself, this book theorises how the law should deal with disruptive innovations in general, going beyond a discussion of the regulation of specific innovations to develop a framework for how law makers should deal with disruptive innovations when faced by one.
Disrupting Science: Social Movements, American Scientists, and the Politics of the Military, 1945-1975 (Princeton Studies in Cultural Sociology)
by Kelly MooreIn the decades following World War II, American scientists were celebrated for their contributions to social and technological progress. They were also widely criticized for their increasingly close ties to military and governmental power--not only by outside activists but from among the ranks of scientists themselves. Disrupting Science tells the story of how scientists formed new protest organizations that democratized science and made its pursuit more transparent. The book explores how scientists weakened their own authority even as they invented new forms of political action. Drawing extensively from archival sources and in-depth interviews, Kelly Moore examines the features of American science that made it an attractive target for protesters in the early cold war and Vietnam eras, including scientists' work in military research and activities perceived as environmentally harmful. She describes the intellectual traditions that protesters drew from--liberalism, moral individualism, and the New Left--and traces the rise and influence of scientist-led protest organizations such as Science for the People and the Union of Concerned Scientists. Moore shows how scientist protest activities disrupted basic assumptions about science and the ways scientific knowledge should be produced, and recast scientists' relationships to political and military institutions. Disrupting Science reveals how the scientific community cumulatively worked to unbind its own scientific authority and change how science and scientists are perceived. In doing so, the book redefines our understanding of social movements and the power of insider-led protest.
Disrupting Secondary STEM Education: Educator Experiences of Teaching for Globally Just Futures (Critical Perspectives on Teaching and Teachers’ Work)
by Margery GardnerThis volume brings into focus the pivotal educational years during adolescence, when many learners are exposed to implicit and explicit messages that STEM is not a viable educational pathway for them.Challenging this notion, Disrupting Secondary STEM Education brings together a collective of critical educators who share what disruptive STEM teaching looks and feels like from an insider perspective, as well as the ways they purposefully create curriculum to subvert existing structures that can confine learning. Through disruptive STEM teaching, a joy for learning is kindled, as well as a sense of empowered criticality in students that can support their development as global citizens facing complex futures. The collection shares stories across a spectrum of educators, from those beginning their teaching journey to those who’ve stood up against narrow curriculum and standardized testing for years in the capacity of both P-12 teachers and teacher educators. The voices of these educators illustrate how the work of disruptive STEM teaching can be actualized within cohorts of future teachers, achieved through early engagement with critical theories and generative field experiences that support and affirm a wide array of identities.This book provides multiple theoretical and practical access points for the reader to understand the work of disruptive STEM teaching and offers a way forward for those interested in developing more critical curriculum in their own classrooms. As such, it will be important reading for postgraduate students and researchers in Social Justice Education and STEM Education, as well as for in-service educators.
Disruption in the Infrastructure Sector: Challenges and Opportunities for Developers, Investors and Asset Managers (Future of Business and Finance)
by Stefano Gatti Carlo ChiarellaA number of dramatic changes are currently reshaping infrastructure, a sector that investors and asset managers have traditionally considered to be a safe harbor in the field of alternative investments. Understanding the future of infrastructure is indispensable to guaranteeing a sustainable future for our planet and the welfare of the world’s population, and enhancing our knowledge of this asset class is one important step we can take toward reaching this crucial goal. This book collects a series of contributions by a group of Bocconi University researchers under the Antin IP Associate Professorship in Infrastructure Finance, which cover the key megatrends that are expected to reshape the way we think about infrastructure, and the implications for infrastructure investors and asset managers. Its goal is to improve and disseminate the culture of infrastructure among academics, professionals and policymakers. The main focus is on Europe and the European Union, and specifically on three key sectors: power and energy, transportation infrastructure, and telecoms / ICT.
Disruption of Protein-Protein Interfaces: In Search of New Inhibitors
by Stefano Mangani"Disruption of Protein-Protein Interfaces" reviews the latest developments and future perspectives in drug discovery at protein-protein interfaces. The authors detail experimental and computational tools to tackle the subject and highlight the contribution of the Italian research community to the field. Evidence shows that blocking or modulating protein-protein interactions might lead to the development of useful new drugs. Consequently, in recent years great effort has been dedicated to unveiling the molecular details of protein-protein interfaces by structural techniques e.g. X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy. This book, written and edited by leaders in the field, provides examples from the literature of successes and failures to develop drug-like molecules effective in interacting at protein-protein interfaces.
Disruptive Developments in Biomedical Applications
by Oscar Castillo Parikshit N. Mahalle Swati V. Shinde Varsha BendreThis book covers advancements and future challenges in biomedical application development using disruptive technologies like AI, IoT and signal processing. Book is divided into four main sections namely medical image processing using AI, IoT and biomedical devices, biomedical signal processing and electronic health records including advances in biomedical systems. It includes different case studies of biomedical applications using different AI algorithms related to diabetes, skin cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, osteoarthritis, and so forth. Features: Covers different technologies like AI, IOT and signal processing in the context of biomedical applications. Reviews medical image analysis, disease detection, and prediction. Comprehends the advantage of recent technologies for medical record keeping through electronics health records (EHRs). Presents state of art research in the field of biomedical engineering using various physiological signals. Explores different Bio Sensors used in Healthcare Applications using IOT. This book aims at Graduate students and researchers in artificial intelligence, medical imaging, biomedical engineering, and internet of things.
Disruptive Innovations and the Environmental Crisis: Ethical, Practical, and Sociopolitical Concerns (Routledge Explorations in Environmental Studies)
by Michael Weber Donald S. Maier Justin DonhauserThis book probes the ethical, practical, and sociopolitical implications of leveraging innovative and disruptive means to address the world’s various environmental crises.Packed with keen observations and analyses, the volume brings together research from seasoned scholars and rising stars to cast important new light on urgent issues engendered by humankind’s disruption of environments, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It tackles the question of exactly what has been disrupted in the world—environmentally, economically, socially, and politically. It also examines an assortment of innovative interventions that aim to address disruptions and explores the question of what further disruptions may lurk behind assorted innovative interventions intended to address already existing disruptions. Chapters wrestle with the social, ethical, and ecological implications of disruptions, both pre-existing and those brought about by interventions, connected with deploying artificial gene drives, substituting robotic pollinators for living ones, synthesizing organisms to replace ones lost, installing economic regimes that work well for both citizens and the environment, making science subservient to non-scientific commitments, involving citizens in environmentally consequential decisions, choosing scientific and technological projects that most promise immediate practical payoff, and ensuring that respect for human rights is part and parcel of any technology-infused project. These discussions draw on a rich mix of science, philosophy of science, political theory, economics, sociology, network theory, ethics, and theories of justice and human rights.This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of environmental science, environmental decision-making, ecology, climate change, environmental philosophy, and the philosophy of science.
Disruptive Space Technologies and Innovations: The Next Chapter (Space and Society)
by Scott MadryIn the past century alone, we have witnessed groundbreaking technological innovations quickly displace established industries, thereby opening up entirely new markets or fields of research. Such "disruptive technologies" are hard to predict in advance, and yet, they have the potential to significantly alter the course of history. Written by one of the world’s leading space applications experts, this book addresses the concept of disruptive technologies in the space arena, including microsatellites, the development of satellite constellations, and reusable launch vehicles.The book presents several case studies in the field, and discusses how and why modern space technologies are so unique. It covers current examples of disruptive space businesses, the pros and cons of such disruption, key emerging trends, and possible developments on the horizon.
Disruptive Technologies, Climate Change and Shipping (Maritime and Transport Law Library)
by Simon Baughen Andrew Tettenborn Bariş SoyerThis book analyses the impact of two vital and contemporary developments on shipping law and practice: disruptive technologies and climate change. It considers the impact of these new technologies, honing in on likely emerging issues and unresolved questions, especially about existing and potential private law liabilities and concentrates, from the point of view of English, EU and international law, on the legal implications of climate change and associated environmental risks in the shipping sector. Written by a contributor team drawn from the most experienced and knowledgeable academics and practitioners in shipping law, this treatment of these growing areas of practice will be of great use to lawyers and administrators across the world.
Disruptive Technology and Defence Innovation Ecosystems
by Pierre BarbarouxRecent advances in the disciplines of computer science (e.g., quantum theory, artificial intelligence), biotechnology and nanotechnology have deeply modified the structures of knowledge from which military capabilities are likely to develop. This book discusses the implications of disruptive technologies for the defence innovation ecosystem. Two complementary dimensions of the defence innovation ecosystem are highlighted: the industrial and intra-organizational. On the industrial scale, there is a shift in the ecology of knowledge underpinning the defence industrial and technological base (DITB). At the intra-organizational level, it is the actors’ practices that change and, through them, their skills and the processes by which they are acquired and transferred. In this context, the sources and legitimacy of innovation are being transformed, in turn requiring sometimes radical adaptations on the part of the various actors, including companies, military services, research communities and governmental agencies, which make up the defence innovation ecosystem.
Dissecting Death: Secrets of a Medical Examiner
by David L. Carroll Frederick ZugibeFrom TV's CSI to bestsellers by Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs, interest in forensics is at an all-time high. Now one of our most respected forensic pathologists gives a behind-the-scenes look at eleven of his most notorious cases, cracked by scientific analysis and Sherlock Holmesian deduction. As chief medical examiner of Rockland County, New York, for almost thirty-five years, Dr. Frederick Zugibe literally wrote the book on the subject--his widely used textbook is considered the definitive text. Over the years he has pioneered countless innovations, including the invention of a formula to soften mummified fingers--enabling fingerprinting, and thus identification, of a long-deceased victim. He has appeared as an expert hundreds of times in the media and in the courtroom--and not once has a jury failed to accept his testimony over opposing expert witnesses. And now, in Dissecting Death, he has opened the door to the world of forensic pathology in all its gruesome and fascinating mystery. Dr. Zugibe takes us through the process all good pathologists follow, using eleven of his most challenging cases. With him, we visit the often grisly--though sometimes shockingly banal--crime scene. We inspect the body, palpate the wounds, search for clues in the hair and skin. We employ ultraviolet light, strange measuring devices, optical instruments. We see how a forensic pathologist determines the hour of death, the type of weapon used, the killer's escape route. And then we enter the lab, the world of high-tech criminal detection: DNA testing, fingerprinting, gunshot patterns, dental patterns, X-rays. But not every case ends in a conviction, and in a closing chapter Dr. Zugibe examines some recent high-profile cases in which blunders led to killers going free, either because the wrong party was brought to trial or because the evidence presented didn't do the trick--including Jon-Benet Ramsey's murder and, of course, the O. J. Simpson trial.
Dissecting Regulatory Interactions of RNA and Protein
by Marvin JensThe work described in this book is an excellent example of interdisciplinary research in systems biology. It shows how concepts and approaches from the field of physics can be efficiently used to answer biological questions and reports on a novel methodology involving creative computer-based analyses of high-throughput biological data. Many of the findings described in the book, which are the result of collaborations between the author (a theoretical scientist) and experimental biologists and between different laboratories, have been published in high-quality peer-reviewed journals such as Molecular Cell and Nature. However, while those publications address different aspects of post-transcriptional gene regulation, this book provides readers with a complete, coherent and logical view of the research project as a whole. The introduction presents post-transcriptional gene regulation from a distinct angle, highlighting aspects of information theory and evolution and laying the groundwork for the questions addressed in the subsequent chapters, which concern the regulation of the transcriptome as the primary functional carrier of active genetic information.
Dissecting the Criminal Corpse
by Elizabeth T. HurrenThose convicted of homicide were hanged on the public gallows before being dissected under the Murder Act in Georgian England. Yet, from 1752, whether criminals actually died on the hanging tree or in the dissection room remained a medical mystery in early modern society. Dissecting the Criminal Corpse takes issue with the historical cliché of corpses dangling from the hangman's rope in crime studies. Some convicted murderers did survive execution in early modern England. Establishing medical death in the heart-lungs-brain was a physical enigma. Criminals had large bull-necks, strong willpowers, and hearty survival instincts. Extreme hypothermia often disguised coma in a prisoner hanged in the winter cold. The youngest and fittest were capable of reviving on the dissection table. Many died under the lancet. Capital legislation disguised a complex medical choreography that surgeons staged. They broke the Hippocratic Oath by executing the Dangerous Dead across England from 1752 until 1832. This book is open access under a CC-BY license.
Dissipation and Control in Microscopic Nonequilibrium Systems (Springer Theses)
by Steven J. LargeThis thesis establishes a multifaceted extension of the deterministic control framework that has been a workhorse of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, to stochastic, discrete, and autonomous control mechanisms. This facilitates the application of ideas from stochastic thermodynamics to the understanding of molecular machines in nanotechnology and in living things. It also gives a scale on which to evaluate the nonequilibrium energetic efficiency of molecular machines, guidelines for designing effective synthetic machines, and a perspective on the engineering principles that govern efficient microscopic energy transduction far from equilibrium. The thesis also documents the author’s design, analysis, and interpretation of the first experimental demonstration of the utility of this generally applicable method for designing energetically-efficient control in biomolecules. Protocols designed using this framework systematically reduced dissipation, when compared to naive protocols, in DNA hairpins across a wide range of experimental unfolding speeds and between sequences with wildly different physical characteristics.
Dissipative Optical Solitons (Springer Series in Optical Sciences #238)
by Mário F. S. FerreiraThis book introduces the basic concept of a dissipative soliton, before going to explore recent theoretical and experimental results for various classes of dissipative optical solitons, high-energy dissipative solitons and their applications, and mode-locked fiber lasers.A soliton is a concept which describes various physical phenomena ranging from solitary waves forming on water to ultrashort optical pulses propagating in an optical fiber. While solitons are usually attributed to integrability, in recent years the notion of a soliton has been extended to various systems which are not necessarily integrable. Until now, the main emphasis has been given to well-known conservative soliton systems, but new avenues of inquiry were opened when physicists realized that solitary waves did indeed exist in a wide range of non-integrable and non-conservative systems leading to the concept of so-called dissipative optical solitons. Dissipative optical solitons have many unique properties which differ from those of their conservative counterparts. For example, except for very few cases, they form zero-parameter families and their properties are completely determined by the external parameters of the optical system. They can exist indefinitely in time, as long as these parameters stay constant. These features of dissipative solitons are highly desirable for several applications, such as in-line regeneration of optical data streams and generation of stable trains of laser pulses by mode-locked cavities.
Dissipative Solitons in Reaction Diffusion Systems
by Andreas W. LiehrWhy writing a book about a specialized task of the large topic of complex systems? And who will read it? The answer is simple: The fascination for a didactically valuable point of view, the elegance of a closed concept and the lack of a comprehensive disquisition. The fascinating part is that field equations can have localized solutions exhibiting the typical characteristics of particles. Regarding the field equations this book focuses on, the field phenomenon of localized solutions can be described in the context of a particle formalism, which leads to a set of ordinary differential equations covering the time evolution of the position and the velocity of each particle. Moreover, starting from these particle dynamics and making the transition to many body systems, one considers typical phenomena of many body systems as shock waves and phase transitions, which themselves can be described as field phenomena. Such transitions between different level of modelling are well known from conservative systems, where localized solutions of quantum field theory lead to the mechanisms of elementary particle interaction and from this to field equations describing the properties of matter. However, in dissipative systems such transitions have not been considered yet, which is adjusted by the presented book. The elegance of a closed concept starts with the observation of self-organized current filaments in a semiconductor gas discharge system. These filaments move on random paths and exhibit certain particle features like scattering or the formation of bound states. Neither the reasons for the propagation of the filaments nor the laws of the interaction between the filaments can be registered by direct observations. Therefore a model is established, which is phenomenological in the first instance due to the complexity of the experimental system. This model allows to understand the existence of localized structures, their mechanisms of movement, and their interaction, at least, on a qualitative level. But this model is also the starting point for developing a data analysis method that enables the detection of movement and interaction mechanisms of the investigated localized solutions. The topic is rounded of by applying the data analysis to real experimental data and comparing the experimental observations to the predictions of the model. A comprehensive publication covering the interesting topic of localized solutions in reaction diffusion systems in its width and its relation to the well known phenomena of spirals and patterns does not yet exist, and this is the third reason for writing this book. Although the book focuses on a specific experimental system the model equations are as simple as possible so that the discussed methods should be adaptable to a large class of systems showing particle-like structures. Therefore, this book should attract not only the experienced scientist, who is interested in self-organization phenomena, but also the student, who would like to understand the investigation of a complex system on the basis of a continuous description.
Dissipative Systems Analysis and Control: Theory and Applications (Communications and Control Engineering)
by Rogelio Lozano Bernard Brogliato Bernhard Maschke Olav EgelandThis second edition of Dissipative Systems Analysis and Control has been substantially reorganized to accommodate new material and enhance its pedagogical features. It examines linear and nonlinear systems with examples of both in each chapter. Also included are some infinite-dimensional and nonsmooth examples. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the use of the dissipative properties of a system for the design of stable feedback control laws.
Dissolved Air Flotation: Equipment, Best Practice and Applications (Springer Water)
by Roumen KaltchevThis book provides an overview of the dissolved air flotation clarification technology. It brings together the three strands of knowledge and experience accumulated in this field - the analysis of the main phenomena involved and the interactions between them, the equipment for its implementation and its main applications in water treatment. The author draws attention to the design and operation of the different equipment used in practice, their advantages, and disadvantages in the different fields of application of this technology.The book is intended for:•Engineers and technicians working on the design of equipment and its integration into the overall water treatment plant as well as in the operation of flotation plants.•Consultants and engineering offices, hoping that it will help them to make the most appropriate choices regarding the applications of this process, as well as in the equipment selections.•Wastewater treatment plants operators, in the hope that it will help them to optimise the operation of their plants and improve their understanding and analysis of some problems they may encounter.•Purchasers and contractors, who have to make sometime difficult choices for reducing costs and, at the same time, ensure and guarantee the long-term performance and reliability of the plant.The book is oriented towards the practical side of implementing the technology. It contains a lot of information about the equipment (much more than in all other available publications on the same subject) as well as practical comments and recommendations that are very rarely found in this kind of book, written mostly by researchers. It will appeal to specialists who are comfortable with water chemistry, but it may also be of interest to water professionals who are more interested in the equipment, design and operation of water treatment plants.
Distance, Symmetry, and Topology in Carbon Nanomaterials
by Ali Reza Ashrafi Mircea V. DiudeaThis contributed volume is inspired by the seminal discoveryand identification of C60. Starting with a comprehensive discussion featuringgraphene based nanostructures, subsequent chapters include topologicaldescriptions of matrices, polynomials and indices, and an extended analysis ofthe symmetry and topology of nanostructures. Carbon allotropes such as diamondand its connection to higher-dimensional spaces is explored along withimportant mathematical and topological considerations. Further topics coveredinclude spontaneous symmetry breaking in graphene, polyhedral carbonstructures, nanotube junction energetics, and cyclic polyines as relatives ofnanotubes and fullerenes. This book is aimed at researchers active in the studyof carbon materials science and technology.
Distillation Control
by Cecil L. SmithLearn to Design the Best Control Configuration for Any Distillation Column Today, distillation is by far the most common separation technique used in the chemical and petroleum industries. All distillation columns need to be carefully controlled in order to meet specified production and quality levels. Distillation Control enables readers to do this by approaching the subject from a process to develop, analyze, and troubleshoot all aspects of column controls. Readers are efficiency and effectiveness and minimizing coats. Distillation Control begins with a chapter dedicated to underlying principles, including separation processes, reflux and boilup ratios, and composition dynamics. Next, the author covers such critical topics as: Composition control Pressure control and condensers Reboilers and feed preheaters Application of feedforward Unit optimization Complex towers As readers progress through the text, they'll discover that the best control configuration for a distillation column is largely determined using steady-state process characteristics. The stage-by-stage separation models that the author sets forth for column design, therefore, provide information that is essential in developing the optimal control configuration. In addition to its clear explanations, Distillation Control is filled with clear diagrams and illustrations that clarify complex concepts and guide readers through multi-step procedures. Engineers as well as other professionals working in process facilities that use distillation to separate materials will fin that this book enables them to implement the latest tested and proven distillation control methods to meet their particular processing needs.
Distillation Control, Optimization, and Tuning: Fundamentals and Strategies
by Lanny RobbinsWith a focus on the fundamentals and strategies of distillation columns, this book covers the process variables for continuous distillation columns, as well as four basic control strategies and the typical cases in which they are used. The author defines the inlet and outlet streams and process variables for a distillation column and then explains the overall concept of the separation and purification that is performed. Performance and product quality are described in terms of specification requirements, and tools and techniques for the optimization of quality performance are provided. Figures and graphs are included within the reference to illustrate concepts.
Distillation Design and Control Using AspenTM Simulation
by William L. LuybenThe new edition of this book greatly updates and expands the previous edition. It boasts new chapters on the divided wall column and carbon dioxide capture from stack gas, revises the design and control of distillation systems, and explains the use of dynamic simulation to study safety issues in the event of operating failures. Using Aspen Plus to develop rigorous simulations of single distillation columns and sequences of columns, the book considers the economics of capital investment and energy costs to create an optimal system for separation methods in the chemical and petroleum industries.
Distillation Diagnostics: An Engineer's Guidebook
by Henry Z. KisterThorough guide on how to use various diagnostic techniques to troubleshoot problems in distillation columns Distillation Diagnostics familiarizes the reader with the multitude of tools available for diagnosing distillation and absorption tower problems and provides the reader with application guidelines derived from 40+ years of real-world experiences of the author. The book describes the capabilities, strengths and limitations of each tool, provides guidance on how to apply these tools to get the most insight and to test theories and ideas, shares the experience of how to correctly interpret the results provided by each technique, and guides the reader to a multitude of additional testing that they can perform to bring them closer to a correct diagnosis and an effective fix. Each technique is illustrated with real case studies and an extensive “dos and don’ts” list. Written by a global authority on distillation diagnostics and troubleshooting known as ‘The Tower Doctor’ by many in the field, Distillation Diagnostics includes information on: Possible solutions to the growing distillation failure rate despite the tremendous recent advances in distillation technologies Time-tested tools and techniques for correctly diagnosing distillation problems to provide simple low-cost fixes instead of unnecessary wasteful solutions, thus eliminating waste and dramatically reducing CAPEX, energy consumption and carbon footprint Combining the various diagnostic techniques to discard wrong theories and narrow in on the correct root cause and proper solution for various tower malfunctions Diagnosing flooding, foaming, plugging, weeping, maldistribution, channeling, distributor and collector overflows, low efficiencies, feeds and draws bottlenecks, assembly mishaps, tower internals damage, high base level issues, reactions in towers, contaminants, internal and external leaks, startup and/or shutdown difficulties Correctly interpreting gamma scan, thermal scan, and pressure drop data Getting the most out of testing techniques such as gamma scanning, neutron backscatter, wall temperature surveys, pressure drop measurements, column testing, sketching points of transition, collecting data for simulations, conducting mass and energy balances, analyzing operating charts, and in-situ water testing Turnaround tower inspections: what to look for Advanced gamma scanning and thermal scanning techniques and when to apply The “doctor and patient” troubleshooting strategy, which often constitutes the most effective, most systematic, and least expensive course of action Things to remember when formulating and testing theories, such as the balance between theory, data, the laws of physics, and chemistry Distillation Diagnostics is a timely, essential reference on the subject for plant managers and operators, production and startup supervisors, and chemical, process, and design engineers.