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

Drivers

Viewpoint: Electric vehicles vs. the perfect battery

Honeywell UOP: Liebert, R.

It is no surprise that electric vehicles (EVs) are getting a lot more attention, now that carmakers have announced plans to increase production of them.

Engineering Case Histories: Case 101: Preventing crankshaft failures in large reciprocating engines

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

The gas processing and pipeline industries use many integral gas engine reciprocating compressors with crankshafts more than 20 ft long.

Redesign, simplify and demonstrate facts

Repsol SA: Vila Forteza, M.

The Petronor oil refinery is located in northeastern Spain. Recently, the facility converted its last rolling element-equipped machine from liquid oil lubrication to pure (“dry-sump”) oil mist.

Root cause analysis on bearing failure on an induced draft fan

Saudi Aramco: Allah, W. K.

This case study aims to provide the root cause analysis behind bearing failure of an induced (ID) fan at a new refinery startup in 2015.

Fueling Alberta oil sands fleets with natural gas

Hatch Ltd.: Salehi, E.  |  Save, S.  |  Almquist, G.  |  Zuliani, C.

Natural gas for diesel replacement is an excellent opportunity for mineable oil sands operations to realize considerable fuel savings.

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 85: Learnings on hydraulically fitted hubs

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Hubs connect one piece of machinery to another, usually with some flexible coupling between them. Installers have only limited time to work with the hot hub. When incorrectly positioned, it may have to be removed, which has the potential of damaging the shaft end.

Consider new labyrinth seals to optimize compressor operations

Flexware, Inc.: Gresh, M. T.
John Crane Engineered Bearings: Whalen, J. K.

Degradation of labyrinth seals in centrifugal impellers can have a significant impact on not only compressor power consumption but also on plant production rate. Upgrading to rub-tolerant seals can be..

Maximize energy recovery with small steam turbines

Energent: Kaupert, K.
Energent Corp.: Krull, R.  |  Iles, R.

Using smaller turbines (50 kW to 300 kW) can aid system efficiency and help conserve energy. We investigate examples in which the application of smaller steam turbines provided return on investment within two years.

Lubrication update for rotating equipment

Professional engineer: Bloch, H. P.

API-610 is the most widely used pump standard in the petrochemical and refining industries. It includes experience-based recommendations for lubricant applications and one of those recommendations rel..

Use new methods to optimize energy efficiency of hydrogen compressors

Repsol SA: Vila Forteza, M.

Hydrogen (H2) is a key to efficient operation of refinery desulfurization units (DSUs). Process H2, both pure and recycled from DSUs, must be compressed to pressures up to 85 kg/cm2. Centrifugal compr..