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Construction

Improve performance of exchangers in quench-water services

Wieland-Werke AG: Lang, T.  |  El-Hajal, J.
Technip: Provost, J.

Dual-enhanced (DE) tubes are widely used in shell-and-tube heat exchangers (HEXs) in a range of industries. They have become a standard in multiple clean services for the hydrocarbon processing indust..

A chemist’s perspective on organic fouling in ethylene operations

Nalco Champion: Hancock, J. M.
SABIC Technology & Innovation: Van Zijl, A. W.  |  Robson, I.  |  Vachon, J.  |  Hashmi, A.

Since organic fouling cannot be completely eliminated, ethylene producers must use operational, chemical and mechanical methods to minimize heat transfer losses and equipment downtime.

HP Reliability: Normalization of deviance can kill

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger (mission STS-51-L) broke apart just 73 seconds after launch. The seven-member crew of the shuttle lived until 3 minutes and 58 seconds after launch, w..

HP Project Management: Better strategies avoid project delays—Part 3

Tecnicas Reunidas: Corrales-Pérez, J.

The first two parts of this series analyzed the root causes of project delays and proposed strategies to avoid schedule overruns. This final part reviews construction planning.Construction planningOne..

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 79: Integral compressor failures

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Recently, the author received information regarding the failure of a large reciprocating compressor. In this example, the pistons for power and compressor cylinders are powered by the same crankshaft...

HP Viewpoint: Transformation of downstream automation and information systems

Honeywell Process Solutions: Whitsura, F.

One of the more interesting aspects about working in the energy sector, as I have done for the last 36 years, is that this industry is always changing—technically, economically and even political..

HP Industry Perspectives: Is the glass half full or half empty?

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

This year is nearly half over; however, the energy industry is more optimistic about the market and economy according to Ernst & Young’s (EY’s) recent 10th biannual Oil and Gas Capital Confi..

HP Industry Metrics

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

The total liquid supply growth by non-OPEC countries continues to rise and is estimated to reach 54 million bpd (MMbpd) in 2014. Increasing crude oil supplies from North America are contributing to sh..

US energy production means new jobs. Are we ready?

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM): Hockstad, M.

At the beginning of this now-not-so-new millennium, the US was faced with great tragedy, a loss of security and uncertainty in the future. Today, the nation has rebounded, thanks to a robust energy se..

Skills shortages in a booming market: The big oil and gas challenge

The strains on labor capacity in oil and gas construction markets worldwide are becoming increasingly well known. These strains continue to affect forecasted project costs, and several large capital p..