Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Maintenance & Reliability

Case 19: A steam turbine diaphragm failure

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Confined water converted to steam develops high pressures

Using creep life assessment of FCCU internals to determine operational reliability

Carmagen Engineering, Inc.: Thornton, D. R.

These guidelines can help avoid failures

HP Reliability: Consider composite materials in centrifugal pumps

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Fluid processing industries have embraced the use of current- generation composite materials in centrifugal pumps to increase efficiency, improve mean-time- between- repair (MTBR), and reduce repair c..

HP Reliability: Upgrade your compressor antisurge control valves

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Compressor “surge” is a low-flowphenomenon known to exist in “dynamic,” i.e., centrifugal and axialcompressors found in petrochemical plants, liquefied natural gas(LNG) facilities ..

Case 18: Problem-solving technique

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

An orderly procedure allows data to be organized and analyzed

Integral gas engine compressor failures and solutions

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Here are the causes and how to remedy them

HP Reliability: Pay attention to pipe spring hangers and supports

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Hanger and spring support-relatedinstallation oversights are responsible for many excessive pipestress incidents. Piping-induced loads will often cause pumpcasings to deflect. Consequently, important ..

HP Reliability: Apply optimized method of stiffening pump base plates

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

In the late 1990s, Houston-basedStay-Tru Services developed a highly effective method to minimizefield installation costs and improve reliability of pump baseplates. Its "Stay-Tru Pre-Grouted Base Pla..

Case 17: Wreck of a centrifugal pump

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Understanding the entire flow system is important when determining the cause of a failure

Applications for multifunction pressure instruments

SOR Inc.: Jethra, R.

Case histories show how these devices can improve reliability and lower costs