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

October 2001

Archive

Special Report: Plant Safety and Reliability

Disturbance rejection capabilities of ARMA and FIR model structures in predictive control
The Foxboro Co.: Hansen, P. D.
Predictive Control Ltd.: Mackay, M. E.  |  Sandoz, D. J.

The parametric model is shown to be more robust

All you need to know about centrifugal pumps, Part 2
Qatar Petroleum: Godse, A.

Specific applications, condition monitoring and other considerations are detailed

Safety integrity level verification - A PFD average calculation is not enough
exida LLC: van Beurden, I.  |  Amkreutz, R.

Architectural constraints must also be considered

Do we need relief valves on FCC main fractionators?
Stone & Webster Engineers and Constructors, Inc.: Elliott, B.

Analysis shows that in some cases the system is inherently safe

Operating deflection shape analysis—a powerful tool to increase plant reliability
Sensoplan Inc.: Ebi, G.

The technique provides fast and effective root-cause failure analysis of rotating equipment

Consider duplex stainless steels for corrosive exchanger service
AB Sandvik Steel: Holmquist, M.

Here’s where they have solved corrosion problems

Consider using a new reliability tool: Weibull analysis for production data
Barringer & Associates, Inc.: Barringer, H. P.
The Dow Chemical Company: Roberts, Jr., W. T.

Using these techniques, companies can distinguish between processing problems and reliability issues

Gas Processing

Improve contaminant control in amine systems
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's: Abdi, M. A.
National Iranian Oil Co.: Golkar, M. M.
Memorial University of Newfoundland: Meisen, A.

These guidelines illustrate what every process engineer should know about solvent contamination and loss for sour gas processing facilities

Information Management

Understand the jargon of enterprise resource integration
GLF/Technology Consulting: Funk, G. L

Here are guidelines for starting a good decision-making process, to the benefit of both business profitability and career

Process Technology/Distillation

Improve direct hydration processes
Kvaerner: Kolodziej, R.  |  Dutt, S.

Technology enhancements increase yields and decrease capital costs of making alcohols

Columns

HP Control: Control developments at ISA
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Kane, L.

The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA) held its annual conference and exhibit September 10 – 13 in Houston. This is always a good show for learning about trends in process cont..

HP Automation Safety: Complacency
exida LLC: Goble, W.

We have the misfortune to be witness to what will probably be judged the worst man-made incident in recent history: the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. This incident occurred d..

HP Insight: Forecast for 2002
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

At this time, many organizations develop their budgets and allocate spending for the coming new year. In late summer, HP compiled its forecast on 2002 HPI spending trends. However, the events from Sep..

HP Water Management: Oxidizing biocides: How about bromine?
MarTech Systems, Inc.: Huchler, L. A.

Recent environmental restrictions on the usage of chlorine and new alkaline-based chemical treatment programs have increased the application of bromine-based biocides in industrial cooling systems. Fo..

HP Impact: HPImpact: P&G takes initial look at near-term impacts from terrorist attacks
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Weirauch, Wendy

Though many of the long-term petroleum-market impacts from the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. may take years to unfold, a look at the near-term effects has relevance. Here's a repo..

HP Impact: HPImpact: ECC conference covers broad range of topics
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Weirauch, Wendy

Last month, over 330 representatives from owner companies, engineering contractors, industry consultants and suppliers convened in Scottsdale, Arizona, to discuss the state of the ECC industry. This y..

HP Impact: HPImpact: What's the EU diesel fuel additives market?
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Weirauch, Wendy

European legislation to reduce the pollution from diesel cars across that region will be a significant driver in the growth of the European diesel fuel additives market. According to new research by i..

HP Impact: HPImpact: China to increase ethylene production 40% by 2005
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Weirauch, Wendy

Despite slowing global economies and decreasing chemical prices, the Chinese government has decided to increase ethylene production, says a recent report from Industrialinfo.com. The State Economic Tr..

HP Impact: HPImpact: NEMA offers automation standards on Internet
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Weirauch, Wendy

Responding to user requests for ready access to the most recent version of industry standards, the Industrial Automation Control Products and Systems Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers A..

HPInformer: HP Informer, International
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Jackson, Kim M.

ABB Process Industries Division, Houston, Texas, and ABB Euttech Ltd. have partnered together to provide consulting, design, installation and other services for safety systems engineered to meet the n..

HPInformer: HP Informer, Domestic
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Jackson, Kim M.

Alfa Laval has established a new process technology center in Richmond, Virginia, and created a Process Technology Division. It will concentrate on heat transfer and separation for the chemical proces..

New Developments: New Developments in products, services and software

Enhanced machine condition monitoringEntek Emonitor Odyssey machinery information system version 2.2 isclaimed to offer expanded functionality and improved diagnostics.This enables organizations to en..

HP Construction: HPIn Construction
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Jackson, Kim M.

ATOFINA completes Bayport upgrade ATOFINA Petrochemicals, Inc., has completed a three-year, $25-million upgrade to its Bayport, Texas, plant. Capacity was increased to 440 million lb/yr of resins. The..

Free Literature

Expanded line of screen productsNew eight-page brochure from USF Johnson Screens describes and presents its expanded product line and applications. Construction options such as looped wire for high-im..

HP In Brief: HPIn Brief
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Weirauch, Wendy

Industry reacts immediately to reports of gas price spikes following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. The American Petroleum Institute strongly denounced any attempts to use the ..

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor

Inherently Safer Design Safety in the chemical industry has moved to center stage since the Bhopal, India, tragedy of 1984. Safety is usually achieved by add-on equipment such as controls, alarms and ..

Misc

Vertical integration in gasoline supply

BILL CROWLEY, Contributing Editor       Comments? Write: editorial@HydrocarbonProcessing.com This month we are going to look at something I call a "white pape..

Consider cryogenic methods to improve ammonia production
KBR: Gandhi, M.
Costain Oil, Gas & Process Ltd.: Henderson, M.

New technologies

Toward better reliability management
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Reliability is like safety – everybody is in favor of it, but not everybody practices it. Safety professionals know that solid achievement rests on the need to change an existing culture, replaci..

Case 5: Can we continue to operate the vessel?

Safe operation to a planned shutdown is always preferable