Maintenance & Reliability
Investigate power limitations in a large steam turbine
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
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
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.
Consider both actual and virtual spare parts inventory
Globally, hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) facilities operate hundreds of thousands of fluid machinery assets. The various service-specific internal components of these assets are supported by ma..
Flare header failure: An investigation
A 60-in. flare header suffered three identical failures with buckling and cracking at the circumferential weld at the bottom of the pipe. The failures are believed to have originated during hot relief..
HP Reliability: Manage your time constructively
We often view ourselves as very efficient reliability implementers. Yet, as professional engineers, we take action to save time, accomplish more and reduce stress by applying better time-management sk..
HP Integration Strategies: Asset information management improves life cycle benefits for equipment
Traditionally, the various production management and asset management systems in the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) and other heavy industries resided in silos with separate management, archite..
HP Viewpoint: Consider integral-gear compressors in CO2 services
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 Engineering Case Histories: Case 72: Interaction between disciplines when troubleshooting
When troubleshooting, we can become fixated on the discipline that we are most familiar—in the author’s case, mechanical engineering. Investigating the failure of a machine may have a group ..
HP Impact: US demand for corrosion inhibitors to reach $2.5 billion
US demand for corrosion inhibitors is forecast to rise 4.1% per year to $2.5 billion in 2017, with volume demand approaching 1.7 billion pounds (Table 1). Growth will be driven by higher oil and natur..
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