January 2000

Archive

Instrumentation/Control

Limitations of model predictive controllers
Hugo, A., Control Arts Inc.

Simpler control methods often provide better results

Loss Prevention/Process Technology

Improve liquid/gas coalescer performance
Wines, T. H., Pall Corp.

Using surface treatment for coalescer media, separator drainage capabilities can be significantly increased

Management Guidelines

Implement a lessons learned process that works - Fig 1
Terrell, M. S., Duke Engineering & Services

  Lessons Learned Identification Sheet   Area of Interest(Circle One) ALARA / RP Facilities Radwaste Work Execution ..

Implement a lessons learned process that works
Terrell, M. S., Duke Engineering & Services

An effective program facilitates fact-finding so that corrective actions can be applied throughout a project's life cycle

Maintenance and Retrofitting

Prepare machinery repair specifications
Cummings, J., Consulting Engineer

Modify this reciprocating compressor example for other types of machinery

Overlooked ways to cut gas turbine refurbishment costs
Curtis, R. L., IGT Egineering, Sermatech Technical Services

Use these techniques to get more for your money

Guidelines aid troubleshooting
Goyal, O. P., Visiting Faculty, Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology

Here are facts and fallacies related to selecting, installing, operating and maintaining a variety of plant equipment

Quality machinery installation doesn't have to cost more
Sela, U., Sequoia Engineering and Design Associates

Facilities design tips improve maintenance

Columns

HP Control: Closed-loop optimization update – a step closer to fulfilling the dream
Friedman, Y. Z., Petrocontrol

Closed-loop economic optimization of refineries and chemical units has been a dream in our industry for over four decades. There have been at least three waves of attack on this problem, but optimizat..

HPInternet: Canadian Energy Pipeline Association
Crowley, B., Competitive Analysis Technologies

Let's go to Canada this month and visit an industry association that does a great job providing information and help to both the public and its members. You don't need to be in Canada to gain from thi..

HP Insight: A new era for the HPI
Romanow, Stephany, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Will the new millennium push the HPI into a new era? For many years, we have discussed how the HPI would become a global industry. Interestingly enough, it has evolved into a globalized industry. So, ..

HP Water Management: Can you lower your operating costs using packed-bed demineralizers?
Huchler, L. A., MarTech Systems, Inc.

As utility assets age, many plants must replace their demineralizers. Although some designers have been eager to use new technology such as reverse osmosis, it is not appropriate for every application..

HPIn SHE: DIS-UNITED STATES
Whetton, Chris, ility Engineering

At the beginning of December, I flew over to England. I was running a week's course in reliability and maintainability as part of a MSc degree in process safety. On the way over, I had an interesting ..

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

AC Technology Corp., Uxbridge, Massachusetts, has been acquired by Lenze GmbH, Hameln, Germany. AC Tech is a major U.S. manufacturer of industrial and commercial electronic-motor control products. ..

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

AEA Technology Engineering Software, New York, New York, has released MECHX, a dedicated program for the mechanical design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers. MECHX can be used for new equipment or fo..

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

PPG to double production capacity for Teslin sheet PPG Industries will add a second manufacturing unit at its Barberton, Ohio, chemical facility to produce Teslin sheet. When completed in late 2000..

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

Will refiners be able to meet consumers' demand for gasoline? Gasoline sulfur rule could affect gasoline supply, says NPRA. The recently announced rule from the U.S. EPA imposes California's current ..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Methanol's global past, present and future
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Analysts and technology experts met recently to discuss the outlook for the global methanol industry. The following are two excerpts from papers presented at CMAI's annual World Methanol Conference, h..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Mitigate risks in e-business project planning
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Reading the media hype might convince enterprises that there are no unsuccessful e-business projects. Be aware that successful e-business projects are not a matter of luck. Although the Internet-paced..

HP Impact: HPImpact: U.S. pump, filter, catalyst markets forecast to 2003
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Three new studies present trends in the U.S. pump, filter and catalyst arenas. Industrial research firm, The Freedonia Group, forecasts the following: Pumps. U.S. demand for fluid handling pumps is..

HP Impact: HPImpact: U.S. oil & gas players to increase spending
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

"Steadily rising U.S. oil and natural gas demand, combined with continued strong prices, has set in motion a seismic shift in the outlook for the oil and gas industry in 2000," according to Arthur And..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Pilot plants to demonstrate HSE technology
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Field demonstrations of the Fieldbus Foundation's High Speed Ethernet (HSE) technology are scheduled at pilot plants located at Lee College in Baytown, Texas, and Singapore Polytechnic in Singapore. T..

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor

Simple equations for pipe flow analysis In reference to the article "Simple equations for pipe flow analysis," by B. B. Gulyani, published in the August 1999 issue of Hydrocarbon Processing, I ha..

Misc

World-class maintenance – European style
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

At the conclusion of a 1983 maintenance effectiveness audit at a petrochemical plant in Cologne, Germany, the plant manager asked for a "one-second summary" of how we viewed his facility. Our one-word..