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Engineering & Design

Consider new labyrinth seals to optimize compressor operations

Flexware, Inc.: Gresh, M. T.
John Crane Engineered Bearings: Whalen, J. K.

Degradation of labyrinth seals in centrifugal impellers can have a significant impact on not only compressor power consumption but also on plant production rate. Upgrading to rub-tolerant seals can be..

Maximize energy recovery with small steam turbines

Energent: Kaupert, K.
Energent Corp.: Krull, R.  |  Iles, R.

Using smaller turbines (50 kW to 300 kW) can aid system efficiency and help conserve energy. We investigate examples in which the application of smaller steam turbines provided return on investment within two years.

Lubrication update for rotating equipment

Professional engineer: Bloch, H. P.

API-610 is the most widely used pump standard in the petrochemical and refining industries. It includes experience-based recommendations for lubricant applications and one of those recommendations rel..

Improve relief-device sizing under supercritical conditions

Smith & Burgess LLC: Smith, D.
Smith and Burgess LLC: Burgess, J.

Properly sized relief devices under supercritical conditions are vital to processing natural gas and gas condensates into olefins. These processes operate near the critical locus of the process gases ..

Improve measurement of heavy oil viscosity

University of Calgary: Sundararaj, U.  |  Sadeghi, S.  |  Sadeghi, F.

This work will study the viscosity behavior of bitumen and its blends with diluent at different temperatures, as well as evaluating simulations for prediction of viscosity of the blend.A blend of bitu..

The Middle East’s strategic expansion of refined products exports

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

Already a leader in crude oil exports, the Middle East is making a deliberate move to increase its participation in the refined and petrochemical products markets. It is likely that the ME will continue to add downstream projects. Refining capacity will center on domestic demand and export opportunities to Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Use new methods to optimize energy efficiency of hydrogen compressors

Repsol SA: Vila Forteza, M.

Hydrogen (H2) is a key to efficient operation of refinery desulfurization units (DSUs). Process H2, both pure and recycled from DSUs, must be compressed to pressures up to 85 kg/cm2. Centrifugal compr..

IRPC 2015: Advancing the global HPI by sharing knowledge and best practices

May 31–June 3, 2015 Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, UAEThe sixth annual IRPC features a four-day forum focused on the downstream industryDay 1—Full-day workshop presented by Takreer Re..

HP Editorial Comment: Change is redefining the petrochemical industry

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

The petrochemical industry is embracing more “change” that is largely due to the recent drop in crude oil prices.

HP Reliability: Reassessing and updating electric motor bearing lubrication

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Over the past 25 years, this column has often dealt with electric motor lubrication. As listed in the recommended reading list, this subject is often asked and, of course, there are updates to the rec..