May 2013

More than 30 years ago, a landmark study observed a relationship between suction-specific speed and the probability of pump failure that changed the way pumps are selected. This observation created th..

Rerating your installed compressors and steam turbines can become a cost-effective, time-saving solution for increasing throughput without having to invest in new equipment.

All turbomachinery is subject to degradation that, over time, will affect the system’s efficiency and operational performance. Precise monitoring of turbomachinery performance with continuous tor..

An investigation was carried out to rectify power limitations for a steam-turbine driver of a cracked-gas compressor (CGC) in a world-class ethylene plant.DescriptionThe turbine is a nine-stage, impul..

Top industry professionals believe users must reach beyond typical standards in applying safer mechanical seals when hazardous and toxic chemicals are involved.

The discussion here focuses on the thermodynamics involved and on the requirements for a successful natural gas valve application in which the incidences of hydrate formation and icing of the valve are reduced.

Globally, hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) facilities operate hundreds of thousands of fluid machinery assets. The various service-specific internal components of these assets are supported by ma..

Several analysis methods exist to determine the effectiveness of the pump suction piping system’s first adjustable support and how that impacts nozzle loading. Parameters for consideration includ..

In the presented case study, an innovative design for an integrated CGC-DeC3 system introduces part of the heavier condensate from the early compression stages directly into the high-pressure (HP) depropanizer.

Dividing wall columns (DWCs) are an attractive option when the goals are to reduce energy consumption and capital investment for distillation processes. A major component in a DWC system is the reflux..

Vacuum distillation unit (VDU) designs generally involve jet ejectors due to their low capital and operating expenses, high reliability, durability and simplicity. Once the ejector is installed and co..

A 60-in. flare header suffered three identical failures with buckling and cracking at the circumferential weld at the bottom of the pipe. The failures are believed to have originated during hot relief..

We often view ourselves as very efficient reliability implementers. Yet, as professional engineers, we take action to save time, accomplish more and reduce stress by applying better time-management sk..

Traditionally, the various production management and asset management systems in the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) and other heavy industries resided in silos with separate management, archite..

In the South Pacific, the artificial island of Jurong Island is the heart of Singapore’s energy and chemicals industry. It houses over 100 leading global petroleum, petrochemicals and specialty c..

In 1998, the author began researching suitable technology for compressing 95 MMSCFD of “bone dry” (–100°F dew point) carbon dioxide (CO2) from 16.7 psia to 2,710 psia. The compress..

When troubleshooting, we can become fixated on the discipline that we are most familiar—in the author’s case, mechanical engineering. Investigating the failure of a machine may have a group ..

In late March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the long-awaited ruling for ultra-low-sulfur gasoline, also known as the Tier 3 rule. This proposed rule lowers the sulfur content ..

Centrica signs long-term North American LNG export contract with CheniereCentrica has an agreement with Cheniere Energy Partners to purchase 89 billion cubic feet of annual liquefied natural gas (LNG)..

By 2020, crude oil trade flows west of Suez will drop by 4.2 MM bpd, while crude flows east of Suez will rise by 4.7 MM bpd (Fig. 1), according to a recently published report from ESAI Energy. The pri..

In the last 10 years, average UK fuel prices have almost doubled, rising from 73.68 p/l to 136.26 p/l for unleaded gasoline, and 75.57 p/l to 142.39 p/l for diesel. The latest retail marketing survey,..

US demand for corrosion inhibitors is forecast to rise 4.1% per year to $2.5 billion in 2017, with volume demand approaching 1.7 billion pounds (Table 1). Growth will be driven by higher oil and natur..

No fewer than two in three US citizens want the country to put more emphasis on producing domestic energy using solar power (76%), wind (71%) and natural gas (65%). Far fewer want to emphasize the pro..

Gulf Publishing Company held its inaugural Eastern Mediterranean Gas Conference (EMGC) at the Hilton Cyprus in Nicosia, Cyprus, from April 8–10. The event surpassed expectations in terms of both ..

Membrane element improves gas processingUOP's new Separex Flux+ membrane element is designed to increase natural gas processing capacity, compared with existing technology, allowing producers to captu..

Jacketed tube connector protects tubing, eliminates sleeves and sealing tape A companion piece to Swagelok jacketed tubing, the new Swagelok jacketed tube connector (JTC) connects jacketed tubing..

Surface-finishing microsite launchedSaint-Gobain Abrasives’ new Norton Bear-Tex microsite (www.NortonBeartex.com) supports its multipurpose innovative portfolio of nonwoven surface-conditioning p..

NEW YORK -- ExxonMobil Pipeline an affiliate of Exxon Mobil, said that cleanup was almost completed and repairs were under way after about one barrel of oil leaked from the Pegasus Pipeline in Doniphan, Missouri.

LOS ANGELES -- Chalmette Refining on said planned maintenance at its oil refinery in Chalmette, Los Angeles, had been concluded over the weekend.

The overflow system is the last line of defense against the excessive container filling. An overflow system consists of an overflow nozzle with internal and/or external piping and, in some cases, a si..

Methanol storage in LouisianaKinder Morgan Energy Partners has entered into a long-term contract with Methanex to support the construction of methanol storage capacity near Kinder Morgan’s Geisma..