Information Systems
HP Automation Strategies: Intelligent pumps offer potential for significant energy savings
Increasing energy costs over the last few decades have put more pressure on companies across all industries to find more efficient ways to utilize energy. Reducing energy consumption reduces both inpu..
HP Project Management: Use key elements for successful mega-plant startups
As new projects are more complex and larger in capacity, the successful startup of the mega-plant is crucial. Unfortunately, mega-projects are vulnerable to significant overruns in schedules and budge..
HP Automation Safety: What are safety engineering ethics?
In many professional engineer (PE) programs, continuing education is required. In some US states, this education includes specific requirements for engineering ethics training. The author recently att..
HP Innovations
Bitumen blowing unit converts residues to asphaltPoerner Ingenieurgesellschaft’s Biturox oxidation process (Fig. 1) converts suitable feedstock blends to road and industrial asphalt/bitumen. Feed..
HP Industry Metrics
According to the US Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Energy Outlook February 2014, forecast global petroleum and other liquids supply will increase by 1.7 million bpd (MMbpd) in 201..
Inspect steam reformers and catalyst tubes with infrared thermography
Infrared thermography is a useful inspection tool to help locate problems in steam reformers while the units are online and fired. There are three main areas in a reformer that can be efficiently insp..
Consider robust tank overfill prevention and independent alarm and gauging systems
Elimination of tank overfills is a significant problem for the petroleum industry. Since most tank receiving operations are manual, the operators rely heavily on tank level gauges and alarms for overf..
HP Automation Strategies: ISO 55000 will up the ante for asset performance management
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, you should have heard about the upcoming ISO 55000 Asset Management Systems standard. How will this impact the hydrocarbon processing i..
HP News
US senator suggests lifting ban on oil exports    The Trans-Alaskan pipeline terminus in Valdez, Alaska. Photo courtesy of The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Senator Lisa Murk..
HP Innovations
Innovations for February 2014.
- Lummus Technology launches Thermacrack™ C5 to unlock higher-value specialty chemicals production 5/28
- Clariant's FAMAX™ catalysts deliver outstanding performance at two Yihua formaldehyde plants in China 5/27
- Aramco and Emerson collaborate on strategic corrosion R&D 5/27
- TotalEnergies extends fuel price cap in France through June 5/27
- MOL says repairing petrochemical plant damaged in explosion could take several months 5/27
- China allows fresh urea exports amid Iran war-fueled fertilizer crisis 5/27

