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Environment & Safety

Shell extinguishes fire after 'tube burst' at Pernis refinery in Netherlands

Shell said it had put out a fire caused by a "tube burst" at its Netherlands refinery. The company added that the fire had a limited effect on operations at its 400,000 bpd Pernis refinery, one of its largest.

Exxon cleans up Pegasus pipeline spill in Missouri

A resident notified the company that oil had stained the pipeline. Exxon is investigating the cause of the incident. The Pegasus pipeline has been out of service since March 29, when a breach in the line led to thousands of barrels of oil spilling into a residential neighborhood in Mayflower, Arkansas.

Avoid hidden costs of suction-specific speed in pumping

ITT Goulds Pumps: Bailey, J.  |  Bradshaw, S.

More than 30 years ago, a landmark study observed a relationship between suction-specific speed and the probability of pump failure that changed the way pumps are selected. This observation created th..

Investigate power limitations in a large steam turbine

Fluor Canada Ltd.: Ghaisas, N.

An investigation was carried out to rectify power limitations for a steam-turbine driver of a cracked-gas compressor (CGC) in a world-class ethylene plant.DescriptionThe turbine is a nine-stage, impul..

Seal safety may require going beyond typical standards

AESSEAL plc: Shaw, S.

Top industry professionals believe users must reach beyond typical standards in applying safer mechanical seals when hazardous and toxic chemicals are involved.

Prevent methane hydrate formation in natural gas valves

GE Oil & Gas: Glaun, A.  |  Shahda, J.

The discussion here focuses on the thermodynamics involved and on the requirements for a successful natural gas valve application in which the incidences of hydrate formation and icing of the valve are reduced.

Optimize vacuum ejector operations

Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corp. (Tüpraş): Temur, T.  |  Haktanir, M.  |  Uzman, F.  |  Karakaya, M.
Boğaziçi University: Avci, A. K.

Vacuum distillation unit (VDU) designs generally involve jet ejectors due to their low capital and operating expenses, high reliability, durability and simplicity. Once the ejector is installed and co..

HP Viewpoint: Consider integral-gear compressors in CO2 services

Gasification Co.: De Maria, R. L.

In 1998, the author began researching suitable technology for compressing 95 MMSCFD of “bone dry” (–100°F dew point) carbon dioxide (CO2) from 16.7 psia to 2,710 psia. The compress..

HP Industry Perspectives: US-based ultra-low-sulfur gasoline rule released

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

In late March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the long-awaited ruling for ultra-low-sulfur gasoline, also known as the Tier 3 rule. This proposed rule lowers the sulfur content ..

HP Impact: Poll says US citizens want more solar, wind and natural gas

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

No fewer than two in three US citizens want the country to put more emphasis on producing domestic energy using solar power (76%), wind (71%) and natural gas (65%). Far fewer want to emphasize the pro..