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

Maintenance & Reliability

Case history: Failure analysis of a syngas compressor

SABIC Technology Centre: van Zyl, G.  |  Al-Zahrani, E.  |  Al-Meshari, A.  |  Al-Haroon, M.

A first-stage impeller in a synthetic gas compressor failed after 20 years of service. The compressor is a six-stage centrifugal compressor driven by a steam turbine. This case history discusses the i..

Improve pressure drop calculations for saturated water lines

When saturated water flows through pipes and components, it flashes—thus increasing its specific volume and limiting the fluid flowrate. Due to these conditions, the calculation and design for pi..

World’s largest GTL facility turns to LIMS for enhanced operations

Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thurston, C.

Pearl GTL is using a new laboratory information management system (LIMS) to manage, analyze and integrate data that keeps the plant functioning securely and efficiently.

HP Reliability: Four-stage, low-flow process centrifugal compressor can fill important industry gaps

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

In the 1970s and 1980s, multistage centrifugal compressors in the 3,000 acfm (about 5,000m3/hr) and lower flow ranges were largely confined to instrument and plant air duties. Three stages with interc..

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 74: How to determine impact forces when troubleshooting

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

When troubleshooting failures, it is not unusual for the metallurgical report to indicate that the failure was the result of an impact type of force. The investigator who receives this information mus..

HP Brief

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

Train accident raises concerns on safetyThe train derailment that killed at least 38 people in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, has heightened safety concerns about crude oil shipments by rail. It has been ..

HP Impact: Dilbit poses no extra pipeline risk

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

Diluted bitumen (dilbit) has no greater likelihood of accidental pipeline release than other crude oils, says a new report from the National Research Council. The report found that diluted bitumen has..

Optimize amine units and improve refinery profitability

GE Water & Process Technologies: Zurlo, J.

The alkanolamine system in a refinery, better known as the amine unit, is used to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2) and mercaptans (collectively referred to as acid gases) from proce..

Consider catalytic dewaxing as a tool to improve diesel cold-flow properties

Clariant: Morse, P. M.

Diesel engines rely on effective dispersion of fuel to ensure efficient combustion. In cold weather regions, maintaining the fluidity flow of fuels can be difficult. Catalytic dewaxing is a selectiv..

HP Reliability: Expect adversity, but plan for success

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Consider that a major oil refinery was planning a substantial modernization project in 2008. Energy efficiency gains and the ability to process a more readily available crude slate were key motivating..