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

Bloch, Heinz P.

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff, Montgomery, Texas

Heinz P. Bloch resides in Montgomery, Texas. He retired as Exxon Chemical’s Regional Machinery Specialist for the U.S. and has authored or co-written more than 780 publications, among them 23 comprehensive books on practical machinery management, failure analysis, failure avoidance, compressors, steam turbines, pumps, oil mist lubrication and optimized lubrication for industry. Mr. Bloch holds BS and MS degrees (cum laude) in mechanical engineering from the Newark College of Engineering (NCE). He is one of 10 inaugural inductees into NCE’s Hall of Fame, which honors its most distinguished alumni.

Reliability: Screw compressor volume control options

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

During their careers, most rotating machinery experts have dealt with the selection of advanced screw compressors.

Reliability: Consider packaged twin-screw compressors

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Compressors are widely used in the process industries to move fluids and gases within and outside the boundary of a process.

Reliability: Valuable trends combine innovation and time management

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

These days, regrettably, it is not unusual to encounter shallow thinkers.

Reliability: Use available database to assist in compressor design audits and selection

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Over the last 40 yr, centrifugal compressor manufacturers have compiled a vast array of impellers and associated stationary components, allowing for higher efficiency staging.

Reliability: Resourcefulness solves problems

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

In the now almost 32 yr since this monthly column was first published, we have had more than a few occasions to highlight the pitfalls of trial-and-error solutions in plants that process toxic, flammable or explosive materials.

Reliability: Try solving—instead of managing—equipment problems

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Good managers manage people who solve problems.

Reliability: Disregarding storage preservation has consequences

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

As a rule, equipment to be installed at a plant site initially arrives at an outdoor storage yard.

Reliability: Houston: We have another problem

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

The state of understanding science and facts on one side and distinguishing these from anecdotes and far-fetched opinions on the other side, should be concerning to us.

Reliability: Update your pump and mechanical seal specifications

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

A professionally presented course in pump fundamentals caught our eye recently.

Reliability: Calculating the value of upgrading: Shortcut estimations find savings and payback

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Bearings are precision components; to survive, they require clean lubricants in adequate amounts.