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

Drivers

Use online conditioning to monitor electric motors

GE Measurement and Control: Wilhelm, B.
GE Global Research Center: Neti, P.

Quality and health assessments of motor insulation are important aspects during the manufacturing, as well as the operation, of electrical motors. Today, there are several offline insulation quality a..

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 79: Integral compressor failures

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Recently, the author received information regarding the failure of a large reciprocating compressor. In this example, the pistons for power and compressor cylinders are powered by the same crankshaft...

HP Reliability: Make equipment decisions with up-to-date technical information

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Answering lube practice-related questions is important. These questions provide insight on the status of education and technology, along with trends in understanding equipment reliability, safety and ..

HP Reliability: Small deviations can compromise equipment reliability

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

In 2013, a major refinery was experiencing serious pump problems. The refinery had a massive thrust-bearing failure on a critical 3,560-rpm pump. The pump was designed and manufactured by a well-known..

Keep liquid analysis invisible in refineries

Rosemount Analytical: Joseph, D.

The hidden heroes of hydrocarbon processing plants are the liquid analyzers, especially the pH and conductivity loops. Unlike their flashier cousins in gas analysis, these analyzers operate behind the..

Reciprocating compressors running together—Is that a problem?

KnightHawk Engineering, Inc.: Knight, C.

A new maintenance engineer is assigned the task of overseeing large, critical rotating equipment in a petrochemical facility (Fig. 1). In this example, the facility has vent-gas compressors that, in g..

HP Reliability: Consider single-point responsibility for compressors

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Equipment purchasers are always interested in meeting the cost and schedule targets for projects. However, there could be conflicting goals when purchasing compressor drivers and/or auxiliaries from v..

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 77: Random deck vibration with beats

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

When something vibrates, it is usually in a predictable manner. Motors, pumps, compressors, turbines and centrifuges all vibrate when they are out of balance. Vibration analysis can help predict the s..

Update on lubrication systems

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Several case histories illustrate the pros and cons for maintaining rotating equipment under various plant conditions.Example 1In late May 2013, a US oil-mist provider in one of the Great Lakes states..

Control moisture in ‘wetted’ rotating equipment

Des-Case Corp.: Barnes, M.  |  Morgan, D.

In turbomachinery, water is one of the most deleterious contaminants. Left unchecked, moisture can severely reduce the service life expectancy of oil-wetted rotating and reciprocating components by as..