Processfluidet

Processfluidet is a term used in process engineering to designate the fluids that participate in a processing sequence. It encompasses liquids and gases that act as reactants, solvents, heat-transfer media, lubricants, or energy carriers within chemical, pharmaceutical, or industrial processing systems. The term is not universally standardized; in many contexts it appears as a generic class label or a placeholder in process simulations and vendor documentation.

Selection is guided by chemical compatibility with equipment materials, safety profiles, and required thermophysical properties. Key properties include viscosity, density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, boiling point, vapor pressure, acid and base strength, and chemical reactivity. The choice also considers environmental impact and regulatory compliance.

Processfluidet types support heat exchange, reaction media, solvent streams, purge or inerting agents, and cleaning or washing steps. In process design and process simulators, processfluidet data populate property models used in mass, energy, and momentum balances.

Instrumentation monitors flow, temperature, pressure, and composition of processfluidet streams. Safety and handling rely on proper containment, corrosion resistance, leak detection, and adherence to safety data sheets. Environmental considerations include spill prevention, containment, and waste treatment.

Industry standards and guidelines from organizations such as ISO and ASTM inform testing, classification, and performance criteria for fluids in process streams, aiding interoperability among equipment and software.