August 1998

A revolution is occurring in business and control software

Find out how top executives of some international oil, chemical and engineering companies cope

Is strategic competency measurement the HPI's performance management tool of the future?

New directions with trays increase tower capacities

Vibration analysis found the problem

An effective maintenance program places more emphasis on failure prevention than on correction. Using this approach, the net result is safer operations, stable production, higher service factor and lo..

Let's visit Europe this month, specifically the Delft University of Technology's Waterman Institute and the department for Chemical Process Technology (http://www.cpt.stm.tudelft.nl/cpt/). This area o..

I have recently been reviewing a number of major accidents, gathering material for a paper to be presented at the World Engineering Congress in 2000. What struck me as interesting about some of these ..

In my five years as Process Editor, I think this summer has been one of the most uneventful in the HPI. Since there is not much newsy-type stuff to write about, I thought I would take this opportunity..

Most firms and their plants now have a history of undertaking programs to improve equipment reliability and maintenance. Many still expect good results. Some are becoming discouraged. As a predictor..

Advanced DAF aidsoil, grease removal Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is a commonly used clarification process for refinery wastewaters. Free and emulsified oil and grease (O/G) and suspended solids ar..

Brown & Root Engineering and Construction, Alhambra, California, and Phillips Chemical Co., Bartlesville, Oklahoma, have collaborated on the application of Philips' E-Series Catalyst for the selective..

ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, an international electrical engineering company, has agreed with Alfa Laval, Sweden, to acquire its Alfa Laval Automation unit. The acquisition is subject to approval of regu..

Bearings resist heat and wear Made from a new and patented material, WearComp bushings and bearings are being used to extend drill time in the well and maintain production equilibrium in downstream ..

Another PP expansion for Exxon Chemical Exxon Chemical Co. plans to build a 275-Mtpy polypropylene (PP) facility at its Baton Rouge, Louisiana, polyolefins plant. Completion is scheduled for mid-200..

Hydrocarbon calibration standards Air Products offers a new brochure describing the full range of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon process calibration standards and natural gas reference standards ava..

Demand for refined petroleum products is 'enjoying slow, steady growth worldwide,' despite growing concern about the climactic effects of using hydrocarbon fuels, says a report from the International ..

Advances in gas technology have played a leading role in improving the outlook for natural gas in recent years. The 1998 edition of the Gas Research Institute's (GRI) Baseline Projection indicates tha..

A review from SRI Consulting assesses the influence of the Asian crises on global ethylene demand and the resulting impact on global ethylene capacity buildup. Implications for the industry are also b..

Leading edge manufacturing companies implementing enterprise asset management (EAM) software solutions are driving the evolutionary process of elevating the traditional computerized maintenance manage..

The demand situation in what a new study from the East-West Center calls the "Mideast 9"* is complex. Price increases in Saudi Arabia in 1995, and annually in Iran since 1995, have slowed demand growt..

Doing business in a global economy means opportunities, but there are also pressures. A report from the Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies and A.T. Kearney analyzes the direction this new business..

The concept of fieldbus has long-promised fully integrated digital control with interoperable host and field devices. Recently, seven fieldbus devices have successfully completed the Fieldbus Foundati..

Editor's note: In the March '98 "HP In Control" editorial1, I named several controversial issues and requested readers' input. Dr. Friedman is responding to per..

Has the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) met all its environmental goals? Have all compliance objectives and tasks been completed? Is everything done? Amazingly enough, some folks believe that ..