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

Rotating Equipment

Reliability: Understanding right-angle gear backlash

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

By definition, all gear units have teeth. These teeth are designed and produced to a certain strength, or a defined force-on-tooth, or an allowable pressure-load on tooth.

Editorial Comment: Maintenance—a value-added expense

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

This issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> tackles one of the most integral aspects of the downstream industry (or any industry, for that matter): maintenance and reliability. These two terms go hand-in-hand and help to ensure efficient and safe operations.

Industry Perspectives: Hydrocarbon Processing’s IRPC returns to Europe in June

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Founded in 2009, Gulf Publishing Company and Hydrocarbon Processing’s International Refining and Petrochemical Conference (IRPC) provides a series of events for the international downstream industry covering technical innovations, and exploring both the challenges and opportunities found in today’s market.

Reliability: Achieve longer bearing life in rotary asphalt pumps

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

When a major asphalt manufacturer experienced random bearing wear in its gear pumps, there was justified concern.

Vibration studies offer valuable lessons for correcting problematic operations

Suncor Energy Inc.: Tharakan, J.

All plants have a vibration monitoring program for rotating equipment. Portable instruments measure vibration at the bearing housing of machines at horizontal (x), vertical (y) and axial (z) directions. The frequency spectrum helps diagnose the causes of vibration.

Implement proactive asset management techniques

T.A. Cook Consultants Inc.: Natarelli, J.

The drop in crude oil prices since 2014 has impacted both upstream producers and downstream players. Upstream producers—those responsible for exploration, drilling and production—were the first to feel the effects. While refining margins benefitted from the drop in crude oil pricing, they began to suffer when record surpluses of gasoline and diesel flooded the market a year later.

Enhance reliability of process pumps with lubrication management for antifriction bearings

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.: Sahoo, T.

Rolling bearings must be adequately lubricated to operate reliably and to prevent direct metal-to-metal contact between rolling elements, raceways, cages and other components. The choice of a suitable lubricant and lubrication method, and controlling contaminants, are important for improving the reliability of the machinery where these bearings are used.

Driving innovation in the downstream: IRPC returns to New Delhi

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Adrienne Blume

Gulf Publishing Company and Hydrocarbon Processing are pleased to announce that IRPC 2017 will be held April 18–20 in New Delhi.

Buyer beware: Are diamond-coated seal faces the solution to dry running?

Engineering & Quality Systems: Seymour, M.

A scientific study was undertaken to evaluate the performance, under dry running conditions, of two types of diamond coatings applied to silicon carbide faces of mechanical seals.

Reliability: Monitor equipment condition by collecting vibration signatures

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

With relatively few exceptions, industry guidelines and standards allow an increased understanding of best practices.