September 2000

Applying proven multivariable predictive control (MPC) techniques coupled with robust online product quality predictions is an effective way to maximize unit profitability. This approach has been used..

Don’t overlook your most important data source

Fig. 1. The 1981 form doesn't have much space for remarks. ..

Fig. 2. The 1995 document is the result of several years' additional experience. ..

A new computer-aided system reduced accidents by 60% in one year

Benefits result from reduced maintenance, greater safety and increased performance

The South African refining company, Natref (jointly owned by Sasol and Total, South Africa), recently integrated a large refinery management information system into the operation of its Sasolburg refi..

Use these guidelines to reduce shiftwork fatigue and increase operator awareness+

Where along the automated integration continuum should your plant be?

Use this technique for better results and less computational burden

Fig. 6. Simple process flow diagram of EO process. ..

To raise plant capacity, the design team investigated several options that increased oxygen supply

A plant operator replaced packing with new trays to minimize fouling from tars

Fig. 8. CII's alignment thermometer addresses the 10 most critical issues during project definition. ..

These key principles, tools and lessons learned provide managers the ammunition to fight cost and schedule escalations

In 1970, the first of five toroidal chamber rotary compressors entered service in nuclear test loops. Each of these machines was used to circulate 2,240 scfm of CO2 at 660°F; the s..

By now, most of us have heard of the Adobe Acrobat files with the extension "PDF." I used to think that acronym stood for "pretty damn fine," because the files were just that. Later I l..

The job is to cut risk in the HPI. We want to reduce the chances that an incident will hurt someone, pollute the environment or damage equipment and disrupt production. OK, an obvious s..

Refiners worldwide are faced with an overwhelming set of challenges - processing "cleaner," i.e., lower-sulfur-content, fuels while remaining profitable. The EU, under the Auto Oil Prog..

Fig. 1. Hydrogen balance for an integrated refinery (resid hydroprocessing, GO hydrotreating and hydrocracking).6..

Legionellosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. This bacterium naturally occurs in surface water. The route of infection is the inhalation of aerosols. The..

Borealis, one of the world's leading producers of polyolefin plastics, and Repsol YPF have signed a letter of intent to establish a new company, effective January 2001, that will combine Borealis' and..

Filtration & Separation Dynamics, Angola, New York, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aqua Care Systems, Inc., has adopted its new name to represent its product focus and strategic direction more accuratel..

Akzo Nobel invests in two coatings sites in China Akzo began work on two new plants in China - an investment of Euro 25 million - which will give its coatings businesses enhanced access to t..

A healthy global economy and competitive polypropylene (PP) prices fueled 1999 global PP demand to a 10.8% increase over 1998 levels. This was the largest annual increase in the past five years, accor..

A recent market study by European Industrial Forecasting Ltd. (EIF) analyzes new project potential, maintenance by end users and the financial performance of contracting and engineering companies. Sho..

Can technologies be integrated to bring about significant improvement in construction and operation of large capital facilities? In response to this vision, the Fully Integrated and Automated Technolo..

In June 1999, an EPA regulation - called the Risk Management Program (RMP) - prompted 15,000 U.S. facilities that use hazardous chemicals to submit reports describing their potential risk to surroundi..

Fig. 1. U.S. fuel mix for electricity generation is forecast to change dramatically over the next 20 years. What consequences might U.S. air emission..

One track for technology is of fads and failures; these get the bulk of attention. The other track is the substantial technology that endures and brings value. These opportunities "are often clouded b..

A detailed analysis of e-commerce and the U.S. environmental industry from Environmental Business International Inc. (EBI) concludes that, in general, the environmental industry has entered the Intern..

As of August, oil market fundamentals primarily suggest a weakening market, but prices have remained at inordinately high levels. An analysis from WEFA (Eddystone, Pennsylvania) explains that while OP..

A global Internet exchange launched by 14 energy and petrochemical companies has recently completed several milestones toward providing an effective online trading community. Initially formed in April..

Fig. 2. World water and wastewater treatment chemical sales.World water and wastewater treatment chemical sales The world market for water and wastew..

"We're on the cusp of some major, fundamental changes in energy," say analysts at Battelle and the national laboratories it manages. Forecasts made by a panel of energy experts identify the most econo..

Consider energy-conserving methods to improve the SM process I am writing about the article "Consider energy-conserving methods to improve the SM process" as published in the March 2000..

Since this is our Process Control and Information Systems issue, let's review some of the major developments at the various hierarchies. Frontline control. Few will argue that fieldbus ..