Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Rotating Equipment

LSB Industries to cut output at Alabama ammonia plant after pipe rupture

The company said early estimates point to a three- to five-month outage at the ammonia plant, depending on lead times for repair parts. Until then, the Cherokee Nitrogen facility can produce a limited amount of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate solution from purchased ammonia.

HP Reliability: Closed-oil-mist systems and maintenance cost avoidance

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

A recent Hydrocarbon Processing (HP) article conveyed an industry finding that dates back several decades: Oil mist successfully lubricates operating machinery, protects and preserves standby equipmen..

ITT buys German systems firm Bornemann Pumps

Headquartered in Germany, Bornemann Pumps has strong international-installed base of multi-phase pumping systems, according to ITT officials. The company also serves the industrial, food and pharmaceutical sectors. The deal, valued at €206 million, would be funded from ITT’s cash.

Saudi Aramco investigates Tyco valve contracts after bribery charges

Saudi Aramco has suspended further dealings with Tyco Valves & Controls Middle East while it looks into contracts it signed with the firm between 2003 and 2006, according to a source. Tyco pleaded guilty last week in a US court to paying bribes to officials employed by Aramco.

HP Reliability: Equipment life extension involves upgrades

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Every plant wants to get more service life from site machinery. Since about 1990, quite a number of start-up consulting companies have formed to advise clients on equipment life extension. These compa..

Apply new pump-drive software to test performance

Bihlertech, Inc.: Bihler, K.
Automate the World, Inc.: Dominiak, D.
Toshiba International Corp.: Keith, B.
Hydro Inc.: Johnson, J.

Process control schemes involving fluid-flow machinery with traditional adjustable speed drives (ASDs) or modules encounter limitations such as control flexibility and accuracy. In this context, the t..

Petronas picks GE compressor technology for first Asia floating LNG project

GE was awarded the contract primarily on the basis of its technology as well as its experience in the LNG and offshore sectors, it said. The order is also based on GE’s global frame agreement with Petronas.

Tyco signs global agreement with Shell to provide pressure relief valves

The five-year agreement covers Crosby and Anderson Greenwood direct acting and pilot-operated pressure relief valves, line block relief valves and supporting services for all of Shell's global operations. During 2011, Tyco was also selected by Shell to provide butterfly valves in a similar arrangement.

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 70: Twenty rules for troubleshooting

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

In previous Engineering Case History columns, I have discussed checklists and their value in avoiding errors during startups. While the rules cannot replace common sense or a logical and methodical ap..

US equipment finance sector shows rapid growth, survey says

New business volume grew 16.5% in the equipment finance industry in 2011, according to the 2012 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity (SEFA) released by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association.