September 1998

Archive

Special Report: Process Control and Information Systems

Real-time optimization: an ''alternative approach''
Dormer, A., Raynor, S., MDC Technology, Ltd.

Performing functions simultaneously can improve performance

Applying neural networks
Guiver, J., Neelakantan, R., Aspen Technology Inc.

Use these practical guidelines for successful applications

LP integrates economics into dynamic matrix control
Cutler, C. R., Sorensen, R. C., Chevron Research & Technology Co.

This popular algorithm becomes cost conscious

Tips for control engineers
Korchinski, W., Advanced Industrial Modeling Inc.; Hoffman, D. W., Hoffman, T. W., Aspen Technology Inc.

Use these guidelines to improve project success

Feedstock Management

Manage crude oil quality for refining profitability
Healey, J. F., Consultant; Waguespack, K. G., PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Energy & Mining Group

Advancements in information technology and analytical methods can lead to vast improvements in refinery economics

Management Guidelines

Do you really need a patent search?
Harrington, C. L., Curtis L. Harrington & Associates

Carrying out the process can be beneficial, or a waste of time and money

Process Technology/Environment

Calculate water in combustion air
Kunz, R. G., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

A simple procedure estimates combustion-air moisture from wet- and dry-bulb temperatures

Project Management

Transforming a gas processing plant in Russia
Jones, P. J., Gaffney, Cline & Associates

Plant optimization and management, financial modifications change costly net import situation into a profitable export one

Columns

HP Reliability: Enhance equipment reliability by applying engineering quality control
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Much has been written about design details, operating guidelines, and maintenance procedures that focus on improving the reliability of individual types of equipment or systems. However, to minimize t..

HPInternet: Chemcyclopedia – commercially available chemicals
Crowley, B., Competitive Analysis Technologies

New and updated for 1998, Chemcyclopedia from the American Chemical Society (ACS) is a real gem of a Web site (http://pubs3.acs.org:8899/chemcy98/). Like any other encyclopedia, it will not make you a..

HP Insight: Wanted: Innovative solutions to common problems
Romanow, Stephany, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

While preparing the 1999 editorial calendar, the HP editorial staff debated over the subjects covered for the magazine's special reports. A contentious argument ensued over loss prevention (LP). Do we..

HPIn SHE: The banane flambée syndrome
Whetton, Chris, ility Engineering

Last Saturday, we had several of my wife's colleagues over for dinner and I agreed to cook my famous banane flambée for dessert – famous not only for its taste but also for the riot of color..

HPIn Processing: Keep in touch with the basics
Sloley, A. W., CH2M Hill

Every day, new things arrive. In the process industry, new developments include advanced process control, plant optimization and real-time control. These systems all have their place in improving plan..

HPIn Competitiveness: Measuring plant availability performance
Lamb, R. G., Cost Control Systems, LLC

I recently had an occasion to work with a plant availability performance simulation software called MIRIAM. The generated reports were impressive. Their depth and quality underlined to me how much som..

HP Innovations: HPInnovations

Self-cleaning heat exchanger Klarex Technology BV (KTBV) and Whitson Sullivan Co. are offering their new self-cleaning heat exchanger technology to the process industries. KTBV has developed a major..

HPInformer: HPInformer, North America edition
Stephens, F. P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Aqua Care Systems, Angola, New York, has formed a metering pump group (MPG) to serve processing industries in the handling of corrosive fluids. Establishing MPG as a subsidiary of Aqua Care Systems,..

HPInformer: HPInformer, International edition
Stephens, F. P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

AEA Technology, Harwell, UK, has agreed to acquire EA Systems, Inc., Almeda, California. EA Systems, which markets the PASCE suite of software applications for plant design and lifecycle management in..

New Developments: NEW Developments

Pressure relief valve with flame arrester The new Protege diaphragm-type pressure/ vacuum relief valve provides protection against explosion during processing, storing and product movement of inflam..

HP Construction: HPIn Construction
Stephens, F. P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

ABB Lummus Global to build large cracker in Texas ABB Lummus Global has been awarded a lump-sum turnkey contract to build a liquids feed steam cracker by a joint venture of BASF Corp. and FINA Inc. ..

HP In Brief: HPIn Brief
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Now that BP and Amoco have united their global operations through an agreed merger, combining the chemicals operations of the two companies creates a business with revenues of $13 billion. This "marri..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Vinyls market: look for price adjustments
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Demand for PVC grew 4.6% from 1992 to 1996. The market experienced strong growth in 1996; world demand increased 7.4% as compared to 1995, according to a new study from CMAI, Houston, Texas. Analys..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Naphtha, gasoline demand is forecast
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Total global naphtha consumption in 1997 was 666 million tons. About 40% of this was consumed for petrochemical production, either as olefin plant feedstock or reformer feedstock for aromatics product..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Shifts in China's energy development
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Recently, the financial strength of Asia-Pacific, including China, has been questioned. Some very important facts, however, cannot be ignored when discussing China's energy future. In a new report, En..

HP Impact: HPImpact: How to improve your progress reports
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

How do your monthly progress reports measure up? Quality status reporting is really an important positive team reflection. Project management analysts stress that good progress reporting is "a solid w..

HP Impact: HPImpact: API standards to be used in software
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The American Petroleum Institute has reached an agreement with Berwanger, Inc. It allows the Houston-based oil, gas and petrochemical consulting firm to use API's engineering standards to create SAP R..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Checklist for helping corporate bottom line
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

What strategies can you use to positively impact your organization's financial performance? If you are responsible for specification and purchasing, the following suggestions from the National Associa..

HP Impact: HPImpact: World LPG, NGL markets assessed for 1998
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The latest LPG outlook from Purvin & Gertz (P&G) assesses key market developments and pricing relationships, and provides a forecast of LPG pricing in major world markets. Highlights from the regional..

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor

HPIn SHE I am a subscriber of Hydrocarbon Processing magazine and am writing to praise one of your relatively recent additions to the magazine. The thought-provoking "HP In SHE" editorial arti..

FREE literature

Filtration in polymer applications Filterite and Fluid Dynamics are offering a new brochure focused exclusively on filtration issues within the polymer process. Selecting the proper filter within ea..

Misc

Consider dynamic simulation
Kane, L., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Dynamic simulation is so powerful, why aren't more people using it? So asked Greg McMillan, with Solutia, Inc., during his presentation at Hyprotech's recent Dynamic Simulation Solutions Seminar.1 It ..