Compressors

Consider true zero-emission packing for reciprocating compressors

Lindner-Silwester, T., HOERBIGER Kompressortechnik Holding GmbH

Especially when handling hydrogen, reciprocating compressors must provide ruggedness, operating flexibility and energy efficiency at pressures up to 3,000 psi (200 bar).

HP Reliability: Can integrally geared compressors be successfully used with variable speeds?

Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

A recent HP webinar answered a number of compressor-related questions. This same webinar also generated a few additional ones. A viewer thought that two statements from this presentation were in contr..

Raise profitability through continuous performance evaluations

Bhachu, U., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

Reliability engineers use a wide variety of tools to support plant equipment and to optimize unit uptime and availability. Sound reliability programs assist organizations to be more competitive in the..

GE to supply compressors at Total refinery off-gas expansion in Belgium

The project will convert low-value Antwerp refinery off-gases into a low-cost petrochemical feedstock by recovering valuable hydrocarbons that would otherwise be burned as fuel.

Improve monitoring and troubleshooting of reciprocating compressors

Geitner, F. K., Consultant; Bloch, H. P., Professional engineer

The terms surveillance and monitoring for reciprocating compressors can be used interchangeably. With few exceptions, the monitoring and/or surveillance tasks are assigned to the unit operators. They ..

HP Project Management: Pipeline expansion uses rerating to debottleneck services

Piripavel, M., Schneider, S., Flowserve Corp.

The Colonial Pipeline connects refineries primarily on the US Gulf Coast with customer service markets across the southern and eastern US. In 2010, Colonial’s 5,500-mi pipeline was transporting a..

HP News

Thinnes, Billy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

IChemE awards highest professional honor to Shell The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) awarded its highest honor to Shell in recognition of the company’s worldwide skills and profession..

Update on secondary seals for fluid machines

Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff; Carmody, C., AESSEAL plc

Elastomer-based O-rings are used as secondary sealing components in millions of fluid machines. Although O-ring seals are primarily intended for fluid containment between different but nonrotating com..

Improve compressor reliability with advanced chemical treatments

Although many olefin plants are making big investments in hardware and metallurgy to improve compressor performance and to extend run lengths, the reliability, efficiency and throughput capacity of the CGC are still key influences on plant profitability.

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 80: Sudden temperature change in a centrifugal compressor

Sofronas, A., Consulting Engineer

A process upset occurred that caused the gas temperature of a centrifugal compressor to increase from the design condition of Tstart = 300°F to Tinf = 600°F in t = 0.25 hours. Some engineers..