Richard A Carranza

Free Trade, NAFTA, and the Chemical Process Industries

An argument is presented supporting free trade and the North American Free Trade Agreement for the chemical process industries. Key concepts like comparative advantage and the production possibilities fronter are used. For instance, Mexico is naturally suited for real estate development that lends i...

Spined Fin Efficiency of Spined Pipe Heat Exchangers

A method for determining the fin efficiency of a spine fin is presented. The fin is modeled as a 3 sided pyramid. The governing equation is a second order differential equation with variable coefficients. A numerical solution is provided via finite differences. An analytical solution is not attempted.

Centrifugal Compressor Blowdown a Comparison of Three Different Dynamic Models

This is the follow up paper to the previous publication "A Generalized Method for Centrifugal Compressor Blowdown". The previous work uses broad thermodynamic assumptions to simplify the model and relies heavily on numerical methods. This publication uses to a lesser extent simplifing assumptions an...

A Generalized Method for Centrifugal Compressor Blowdown

A unique method for centrifugal compressor blowdown is presented. A real case study is used to present the method: an oil and gas production facility where natural gas is comressed, treated, and transported via pipeline. The method uses thermodynamic fundamentals and basic numeical analysis techniqu...

A Look Back at the Amundson Report

The Amundson Report was a study developed by Dr Amundson, a professor at the University of Houston. The study detailed "frontiers" in chemical enginereing that must be pursued inorder for the discipline to stay viable in the new millenium. This work reviews the Amundson in light of the new millenium...

Heat Exchanger Design Fundamentals