Maintenance & Reliability
Application of systems engineering principles in a reliability assessment of air-cooled heat exchangers
This article proposes a holistic remaining life assessment and reliability engineering framework developed based on systems engineering principles to cover both mechanical integrity (header boxes and fin tubes) and dynamic reliability aspects (fin blades, electrical motors, gearboxes and propellers).
Case study: Reduce failure in critical motor applications
This article provides a case study on methods how premature failure in new motors can be substantially reduced, thereby improving their longevity and reinforcing their operational durability in industrial environments.
bp restarts catalytic reformer at Rotterdam oil refinery, crude unit remains offline
bp has restarted a 32,000-bpd catalytic reformer at its Rotterdam oil refinery after maintenance that began on April 16.
Update: Venezuela's second largest refinery restarting units after blackout
Venezuela's state-run PDVSA was on Wednesday restarting several operational units at its 310,000-bpd Cardon refinery.
Yokogawa collaborates with Shell on robotics and AI technology for plant maintenance
Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced that it has formalized a long-term agreement with Shell Global Solutions International B.V. to integrate and further develop technologies for utilizing robots and drones in plant monitoring and maintenance.
China's May refinery throughput at 9-month low on plant overhauls
China's crude oil throughput declined by 1.8% in May from a year earlier to the lowest level since August, official data showed on Monday, as maintenance at both state-owned and independent refineries curbed operations.
Russia's offline primary oil refining capacity revised up 21% in July
Russia's offline primary oil refining capacity expected in July has been revised up by 21% from the previous plan to 3.2 MM tonnes (t) due to adjustments to maintenance plans.
ANDRITZ to acquire Diamond Power Intl. businesses
International technology group ANDRITZ has signed an agreement to acquire Diamond Power Intl. LLC (Diamond Power) businesses, including its subsidiaries and manufacturing locations, from U.S.-based Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc. (B&W).
Irving Oil invests $100 MM in Saint John refinery upgrade
Irving Oil said on Thursday it plans to invest $100 MM to upgrade a key crude oil processing unit at its 320,000-bpd Saint John facility in New Brunswick, Canada's largest refinery.
Idemitsu shuts No. 3 CDU at Yokkaichi refinery for maintenance
Japanese oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan shut the 155,000-bpd No. 3 crude distillation unit (CDU) at its Yokkaichi refinery in central Japan on May 19 for scheduled maintenance.

- Aster Chemicals declares force majeure at Singapore naphtha cracker 8/29
- Orlen signs 1-yr deal with Equinor for supply of 15% oil it uses 8/29
- Novatek partially resumed processing at Ust-Luga complex 8/29
- Phillips 66 to begin winding down Los Angeles-area refinery next week 8/29
- Update: Mexico's Minatitlan refinery back online, Olmeca still down 8/29
- SIBUR produces test batch of first hexane plant in Russia 8/28