This issue includes our 2022 reader picks on topics relating to process heating and cooling. What makes a reader pick? Primarily, it’s based on how popular these articles have been on our websites over time. Without further ado, let’s take a quick look at each.

The combined drivers of less once-through water use and a desire for energy savings help explain why “Hybrid Cooling Saves Water, Reduces Energy Use” is a reader pick. The article looks at a hybrid technology that allows facilities to take advantage of water or air cooling, depending on ambient conditions and cooling demand, to meet process cooling needs.

Insulation plays a key role in process heating and cooling — minimizing heat loss (or gain) to help maintain the desired temperature. “Critical Considerations to Minimize Heat Loss in Industrial Process Applications” looks at factors beyond temperature control that can affect how well a given insulation is able to perform for industrial heating and cooling applications.

Given how often fuel-fired equipment has been used for process heating applications, it should come as no surprise that knowing how to specify an industrial burner is a hot topic (in more ways than one). Factors to consider, according to “Understanding Industrial Burners,” include emissions requirements, flame characteristics and burner stability.

Avoiding unplanned downtime or extra costs while ensuring safe and optimal system performance is among the goals of any heat transfer fluid application. “6 Takeaways for Heat Transfer Fluids” describes six common scenarios encountered with heat transfer fluids for process heating and cooling and offers tips to avoid common pitfalls.

In process heating applications where steam is used, control valves serve valuable functions in desuperheating and steam-conditioning systems. “The Basics of Desuperheating and Steam Conditioning” looks at those applications and how the operation of the steam heating equipment can affect related systems.

Finally, using PID for heating and cooling control during heat treating, and cryogenic cooling challenges during heat treating are the focus of “Temperature Control During Cryogenic Processing.” As the author notes, cryogenic treatment requires the same types of temperature control as higher-range processes, but the methods are different.

In addition to these great articles, I also wanted to mention our upcoming webinar on “Tips to Improve Your Cooling Tower Inspections & Performance.” Join us on December 8 to learn how to handle typical cooling tower problems, failures and misconceptions related to cooling tower maintenance and performance.