Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Sofronas, A.

Consulting Engineer, Houston, Texas

Tony Sofronas, D. Eng, was the worldwide lead mechanical engineer for ExxonMobil Chemicals before retiring. He now owns Engineered Products, which provides consulting and engineering seminars on machinery and pressure vessels. Dr. Sofronas has authored two engineering books and numerous technical articles on analytical methods.

Case 44: Cracking due to sudden temperature changes in piping

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Excessive thermal stresses can be the cause

Case 43: Containing a failed impeller

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

A quick analysis can help direct further efforts

Case 42: Torsional vibration problems can be costly

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

The results are hammering of the gears and fretting of the splines

Case 40: Troubleshooting gear face damage

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

A simple analysis can help in determining the root cause of the failure

Case 39: Vibration failure of a heat exchanger tube

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Flow-induced vibration damage is a commom problem

Case 38: Extruder wear prediction

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

An analysis can help avoid wear problems before they occur

Case 37: Can you tell me how long it will last?

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Troubleshooting differs from design

Case 36: Pipe bowing stresses due to thermal differences

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

A pipe partially filled with a hot cycling fluid can cause weld failures

Case 35: Technical checklists

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Our memories are not always adequate

Case 34: Hydrotesting or pneumatic testing?

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

There is a big difference in safety between the two