Bloch, Heinz P.
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.
HP Reliability: Upgrade the design of vertical, multistage centrifugal pumps in low-temperature services
The overall mechanical design of most API-style vertical-column pumps (Fig. 1) comes close to meeting the expectations of modern pump users. Such pumps are often equipped with self oil-lubricated bear..
HP Reliability: Closed-oil-mist systems and maintenance cost avoidance
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..
HP Reliability: Equipment life extension involves upgrades
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..
HP Reliability: When not to use oil rings
For process pumps in particular size and duty categories, oil rings are rarely, if ever, the most reliable means for lubricant application. Oil rings tend to skip and even abrade, as shown in Fig. 1, ..
Modernize your compressor lube- and seal-oil systems
Each pipe or control line should be traced to its origin, the design intent must be well understood, and all owner-purchaser questions answered by the vendor-manufacturer.
HP Reliability: Consider best-of-class lubrication practices
Last month’s column explained that all hydrocarbon processing (HP) facilities use machinery, and these machines require lubrication. Periodically auditing one’s lubrication practices is part..
HP Reliability: Rethink your auditing of lubrication practices
All hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) facilities use machinery, and every one of these machines requires lubrication of some type. Modern, profitability-minded plants thoughtfully manage their lub..
HP Reliability: Pumps and the Bhopal connection
In the 2012 June issue of Hydrocarbon Processing, our readers will find a highly informative article that should remind equipment specialists of their professional and ethical responsibilities. These ..
Who should you call for process pump repair?
Amid pump industry consolidation, independent shops can provide upgrade and repair services for key process equipment.
Improve seal designs for ‘dirty’ services
Amid regulatory legislation issues, a compliance strategy can drive solutions to optimize reliability of rotating equipment.
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