August 2001

Archive

Special Report: Fluid Flow

Avoid control valve application problems with physics-based models
Roth, K. W., Consumer Durables Group, Arthur D. Little; Stares, J. A., Dresser Flow Control, Masoneilan Operations

Kinetic energy criteria have many limitations

Using DIERS two-phase equations to estimate tube rupture flowrates
Elliott, B., Stone & Webster Engineers and Constructors, Inc.

The method is more accurate than the traditional 'separate' phase approach

Hydro-tapping a 60-inch flue gas duct
Bowling, T., Team Industrial Services, Inc.

Using a high-pressure water jet with abrasive grit met the requirements

Acoustic fatigue in large turbocompressors and pressure reduction systems
Blodgett, L. E., Jungbauer, D. E., Southwest Research Institute

A near-field sound pressure level screening method can predict problems

All you need to know about centrifugal pumps, Part 1
Godse, A., Qatar Petroleum

Understand these factors for reliable, optimal operation

Computational fluid dynamics: a key analytical tool
Pordal, H. S., SES-Process Technology Group

The potential for process improvements using these methods is not yet fully realized

Consider online monitoring of HF acid when optimizing alkylation operations

In an innovative effort, this refiner improved operations and reduced acid losses by installing an online analyzer to measure HF compositions

Engineering Case Histories

Case 4: The wrong bearing in the right place
Sofronas, A., Consulting Engineer

Calculate B10 life to ensure reliable operation

Process Technology/Refining

Improve NGL plant performance
Eskaros, M. G., WorleyParsons; Wines, T. H., Pall Corp.

Process engineers troubleshoot unstable process circuits

Columns

HP Reliability: Improve turboexpander shaft seals and bearings
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Virtually all cryogenic turboexpander seals are either close-fitting labyrinth or noncontacting (dry) gas types. Conventional mechanical seals are not generally used; high velocities prohibit use of c..

HP Automation Safety: Getting your functional safety program started
Goble, W., exida LLC

Several operating companies know about relatively new functional safety standards like ANSI/ISA 84.01 and IEC61508. Many are convinced that the economic benefits of safety life cycle implementation ar..

HP Insight: Synchronizing people and tools
Hartmann, J.C.M., Consultant

"Supply chain management" considers optimizing refinery operations, which includes supply and distribution. The diversity of upgrading and treating units, and the variety of processed products has sig..

HP Water Management: Proper pH measurement
Huchler, L. A., MarTech Systems, Inc.

Proper pH measurement is critical to control corrosion and deposition in water systems. The parameter pH is defined as the opposite of the logarithm (base 10) of the concentration of hy..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Market evolving for automation systems
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The worldwide process automation systems (PAS) market is forecast to reach $9.5 billion by the end of 2005, a 3.9%/yr growth rate, according to a recently updated study from ARC Advisory Group, Dedham..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Highlights of IEA's supply/demand stat
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The latest Oil Market Report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) summarizes mid-year data on oil and gas supply, demand and pricing. Like other analysts, the IEA predicts a late-2001 turnaround..

HPInformer
Jackson, Kim M., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Channel Polymers, Norwalk, Connecticut, has signed an agreement with the Ethylene Elastomers Business unit of ExxonMobil Chemical Co. to become the distributor for Vistalon (R) Ethylene Propylene Dien..

New Developments: New Developments in products, services and software

Multivariable predictive controllersUpgraded GMAXC-multivariable predictive control (MVPC) softwarepackage with an OLE interface for AEA Hyprotech's HYSYS.PlantDynamic Simulation package-has been fiel..

HP Construction: HPIn Construction
Jackson, Kim M., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

AgipPetroli awards contract to Foster Wheeler AgipPetroli S.p.A. has awarded a contract for remediation of a former Rho refinery site to Foster Wheeler Environmental, an Italian subsidi..

Free Literature

Hydrocarbon-type analysis of gasoline and blending feedstocksAC Analytical Controls' (AC) new brochure describes how AC Reformulyzer application identifies all hydrocarbon types (PONA) and oxygenates,..

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

Dialogue with the trade union movement must focus on business sustainability, says the UK Chemical Industries Association (CIA), which has a membership of 200 companies. "International dialogue betwee..

HP Impact: HPImpact: EIA forecasts U.S. energy 2002 outlook
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Significant near-term trends in U.S. energy pricing, supply and demand are identified in a recent outlook from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The following are highlights of the report's..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Increased growth for EU chemical industry
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The slowing output growth in 2001 is forecast to give way to improved activity for 2002, according to a recent economic outlook from the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC). It estimates that o..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Combating cyber threats to energy industry
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

What actions can be taken to identify and reduce infrastructure vulnerabilities within the HPI? The National Petroleum Council (NPC), a U.S. federal advisory committee to the Secretary of Energy, has ..

HP Impact: HPImpact: World LNG market to double by 2011
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

 Fig. 1     A projection of global LNG consumption by region in 2011 The world trade market for LNG is an important part..

HP Impact: HPImpact: Plan for sound motor management
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

A consortium has recently been established to encourage the use of "sound motor management and planning as a tool for cutting motor energy costs and conserving energy." Campaign members include U.S. m..

HP Impact: HPImpact: What defines an entrepreneur?
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The popular image of the heroic and solitary entrepreneur is a myth, according to a new study by Accenture (www.accenture.com). True entrepreneurship is not a lone pursuit but highly collaborative beh..

Misc

Gasoline prices: going up or coming down?

BILL CROWLEY, Contributing Editor       Comments? Write: editorial@HydrocarbonProcessing.com As drivers, we are all worried about high gasoline prices. Some o..

Improve haze removal for FCC gasoline
Wines, T. H., Pall Corp.; Darde, T., Pall Europe, Saint Germain-en-Lage; Katona, A., Mol-RT Refinery

This refinery used advanced coalescer techniques to separate very stable emulsions and dispersions by mechanical means

International

Kim M. Jackson, Process Editor       Comments? Write: KJ@HydrocarbonProcessing.com Accenture and Aspen Technolo..

More Websites and e-newsletters
Kane, L., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

In the June issue "HP In Control," I discussed some interesting process control / instrumentation sites that I had found using the Google search engine (www.google.com). Some readers responded to my r..

Avoid control valve application problems with physics-based models

Kinetic energy criteria have many limitations