Loss Prevention
Vapor velocity guidelines for horizontal flare knockout drums
Flare knockout (KO) drums are important components of effluent handling systems.
Restaging/rerating of centrifugal compressors: Fundamentals, practices and challenges
The primary requirement for rerating or revamping an existing centrifugal compressor is to match the new operating requirements, such as increased or decreased flow, increased or decreased head, or a combination of both. Rerating or revamping is necessary where the existing compressor or compressor train is incapable of meeting the new operating requirement efficiently.
Quantum leap in chemical plant safety and reliability through mobile technology
The human factor has played a significant role in chemical plant accidents and production loss incidents over the past 60 yr.
Ensuring safety in dynamic chemical manufacturing environments
As with all industries, chemical manufacturing is evolving in response to technical innovations, new customer requirements and increased global competition.
Executive Viewpoint: It was the best of times
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”. Fortunately, this opening line from A Tale of Two Cities does not often present itself as an appropriate analogy to the oil and gas industry. Yet, here we are.
Engineering Case Histories: Case 112: Remote failure analysis consulting
An article on “Remote training of personnel”1 is interesting and appropriate at this time of COVID-19. It outlines the difficulties in presenting remote training courses and suggests methods that can help.
Improved measurement of water content in natural gas
Consumers likely imagine natural gas as a stream of pure methane. Those who are closer to the energy industry know that methane is the major component, but there can easily be dozens of other substances making up a sizeable portion of the total volume.
Business Trends: The economics of reliability—An interim report on the global refining industry
What is reliability? Most people think reliability is simply a measure of failure, or lack of failure. If something runs for a longer period without failing, then it is more reliable than something that runs for less time. However, reliability is a measure of how often something performs when you want it to.
Reliability: Pushing the limit can have unexpected consequences
A prominent manufacturer rediscovered the old axiom, “pushing the limit can have unexpected consequences,” after experiencing many bearing failures in its 40-hp air blowers. These lifetime-lubricated (sealed) bearings had been properly installed on 20-mm shafts, and it can be assumed that premium greases were being used.
Editorial Comment: Maintenance and reliability—A cornerstone of safe and efficient plant operation
Refineries and petrochemical plants are comprised of a series of crucial processes to produce transportation fuels, products and chemicals demanded by the global market. These processes consist of capital-intensive units that must be maintained to provide reliable performance. Failure to adequately maintain these assets can have a detrimental effect to not only operations and profit, but also to worker safety.
- India receives fuel oil cargo in Russian SCF tanker after brief halt 4/26
- Biden administration (U.S.) to release SAF tax credit model 4/26
- Boeing, Wagner advance Australia’s SAF Industry 4/26
- S-Oil expects Q2 refining margins to remain steady then trend upward 4/26
- Vitol to charter supertankers from U.S. to Nigeria's Dangote refinery 4/26
- Refiner Valero beats profit estimates on resilient demand, tight supplies 4/26
