Economics
HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 77: Random deck vibration with beats
When something vibrates, it is usually in a predictable manner. Motors, pumps, compressors, turbines and centrifuges all vibrate when they are out of balance. Vibration analysis can help predict the s..
HP Industry Perspectives: New crude oil supplies stabilize oil prices
A new US Energy Information Administration (EIA) report highlighted a positive trend unfolding within the global energy market. The rise in US crude oil production has greatly contributed to stabilizi..
HP News
US senator suggests lifting ban on oil exports    The Trans-Alaskan pipeline terminus in Valdez, Alaska. Photo courtesy of The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Senator Lisa Murk..
Update on ambient heat transfer for storage tanks
Heat gain from ambient or heat loss to atmosphere is discussed in standards and technical publications.1, 2 However, the work on fluid/ambient thermal interactions rarely includes an important factor&..
Update on lubrication systems
Several case histories illustrate the pros and cons for maintaining rotating equipment under various plant conditions.Example 1In late May 2013, a US oil-mist provider in one of the Great Lakes states..
Control moisture in ‘wetted’ rotating equipment
In turbomachinery, water is one of the most deleterious contaminants. Left unchecked, moisture can severely reduce the service life expectancy of oil-wetted rotating and reciprocating components by as..
Wide design margins do not improve engineering
Engineers use design and safety factors in sizing and specifying instrumentation or major process equipment, such as pumps, valves and compressors. Design factors are applied to cover the uncertainty ..
Optimize viscosity control in refining operations
Petroleum is one of the most important hydrocarbons in the global marketplace. It remains the primary source for liquid and transportation fuels, and it is the building block for product manufacturing..
HP Reliability: Was that a failure or ‘just a repair’?
Purists among reliability professionals are sometimes concerned about the accuracy of the measurement of the mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) of an asset. There are many ways to conduct this failure f..
HP Automation Strategies: ISA108 Intelligent Device Management focuses on work processes
Over the last decade, field instrumentation and analytical chemistry device suppliers have made tremendous progress incorporating value-added functionality into intelligent devices. This includes enha..
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- Stamicarbon awarded technology licensing contract for new urea plant in Eastern China 12/19
- Ford takes $19.5-B writedown on EV business 12/19
- Babcock & Wilcox awarded $40-MM contract for advanced wet gas scrubbing technology at Canadian petroleum refinery 12/19
- Aarti Industries secures methanol and toluene feedstock supply through multiple long-term contracts 12/19
- U.S. judge blocks Michigan from shutting down Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline 12/19
