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Piping

Exxon Arkansas pipeline rupture blamed on defect

An independent report found that a rupture in an ExxonMobil pipeline that spilled thousands of barrels of oil in Arkansas earlier this year was caused by defects dating back to when the pipe was built in the 1940s.

HP Reliability: Expect adversity, but plan for success

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Consider that a major oil refinery was planning a substantial modernization project in 2008. Energy efficiency gains and the ability to process a more readily available crude slate were key motivating..

HP Brief

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Thinnes, Billy

Gazprom Neft refines Euro 5 diesel fuelGazprom Neft’s Moscow oil refinery has launched production of Euro 5 diesel fuel. Starting last month, all diesel fuel supplied by the Moscow oil refinery t..

Recover from a steam reformer tube rupture

Saudi Aramco: Yeh, G. J.  |  Griman, J.  |  Najrani, M.

Most operational problems in the hydrogen plant occur at the steam reformer. The steam reformer is typically operated at high temperatures (810°C process gas) and high pressures (20 atmg) to maxi..

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.

Consider both actual and virtual spare parts inventory

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

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

Suncor Energy Inc.: Tharakan, J.

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 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 ..

Overflow systems are the last line of defense

Engrowth Training: Toghraei, M.

The overflow system is the last line of defense against the excessive container filling. An overflow system consists of an overflow nozzle with internal and/or external piping and, in some cases, a si..