January 2002

Archive

Special Report: Maintenance/Reliability

Looking for RCFA databases? Consider failure statistics
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The data are useful but only the first step toward improving failure analysis

Reliable machines require competent maintenance skills
Patrick, G. B., SKF Reliability Maintenance Institute

A proactive approach will provide significant returns through better utilization of existing staff

Retrofitting multijack tensioners on a combustion gas turbine generator
Al-Mohssen, H., Saudi Arabian Oil Co.

Consider this technology for difficult bolting applications

Fieldbus improves control and asset management
Smart, J. D., Emerson Process Management

Substantial benefits are realized from increased diagnostics and process data

Environment

Improve flaring operations
Balcar, M., Bergeron, B., BP p.l.c.; Kodesh, Z., Schwartz, R. E., John Zink Co. LLC

Consider using an acoustic monitor to supervise pilot status for your flare

Loss Prevention/Management Guidelines

Behavior-based technology is the next step to operations excellence
Hodson, S., Spigener, J., Behavorial Science Technology, Inc.

This approach can increase productivity and reduce errors to optimize output

Project Management

Quality tools produce desired results
Lane, J. D., McMahon, P., PM Solutions

Use these proven techniques throughout all job phases as you manage your teams

Columns

HP Reliability: Consider overspeed protection retrofits
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The overwhelming majority of small turbine overspeed trip devices are mechanical; they incorporate a spring-activated trip bolt that moves out and contacts a trip lever whenever a pres..

HP Insight: The next ‘golden age’ of refining
Romanow, Stephany, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Yes, we can actually dream of the next Golden Age for the refining industry. This will definitely be change, considering the pain and agony of the last decade. The '90s were not "golde..

HP Water Management: How are you treating your condensate? – Part 2
Huchler, L. A., MarTech Systems, Inc.

Recovering and recycling steam condensate does offer economic incentives. Proper management of recovered condensate quality is crucial when protecting major equipment such as boilers. ..

HP Automation Safety: A new year
Goble, W., exida LLC

Each year I spend a little time reflecting on the past year and planning strategic activities for the next. I think about my personal, business and professional goals. The year 2001 wa..

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

Conoco starts cogen unit Conoco Energy Solutions, a division of Conoco, has started operation of the SRW Cogeneration Ltd. Partnership facility. The 420-MW natural gas-fired plant is located..

HP Impact: China’s supply/demand forecast for HPI products
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Projections from China Petrochemical Consulting Corp. show that even with maximum crude oil output, the shortage in China's oil supply will be about 0.09 billion tons (Bton) in 2005. T..

HP Impact: Study ‘sorts through’ oxygenate issues
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Whatever environmental benefits an oxygenate requirement in the U.S. had in the early 1990s, they have since "weakened considerably" as a more decisive role is played by improved auto ..

HP Impact: New technologies to be key for downstream success
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Volatile oil price cycles and increasing competition will make astute application of technology a key determinant of success for the oil industry, according to Global Oil Trends 2002, ..

HP Impact: Energy industry executives share outlook, concerns
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Energy industry executives foresee economic recovery and lower energy prices, but have a high concern for the security of oil and natural gas supplies, according to a survey conducted ..

HP Impact: What increases corporate shareholder value?
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Companies that ignore nonfinancial performance risk lower valuations, warns a study from Ernst & Young (E&Y). Energy industries take note: The greater the uncertainty and volatility in..

HP Impact: Initiative studying use for wearable computers
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

An initiative called In Your Face Computing for Construction, Operations and Maintenance (IYFCCOM) has recently selected three pilot projects for further development. The selected pilo..

HP Impact: Mexico to host technology forum
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

An international three-day Congress on Process Technologies is to be held in Mexico City, March 18-20, 2002. It is jointly organized by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, In..

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor

Main fractionators I recently read the article, "Do we need relief valves on FCC main fractionators?" (Hydrocarbon Processing, Oct., pp. 53 - 56). Although Mr. Elliot did a good job ..

Misc

Center for Hydrate Research

Bill Crowley, Contributing Editor You have probably heard about gas hydrates. You know, frozen natural gas and CO2. Some folks think these hydrates may hold the promise of cheap and very ..

North America edition
Jackson, Kim M., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Gems Sensors Inc., Plainville, Connecticut, a manufacturer of fluid sensors, is acquiring Setra Systems, Inc., Boxborough, Massachusetts. Setra designs and manufactures capacitance pressure transducer..

Asset management begins in the field
Kane, L., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Asset management is one of the hottest topics in the HPI today. As mentioned in previous columns, it means different things to different people. But for engineers, the primary focus is..

Quality tools produce desired results Fig 1

Fig. 1. "Road map" displays by project phase which technique is most effective to produce desired results. ..