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Americas

US lawmakers ask EPA to cut production mandate for corn-based ethanol

As a result of the drought, “corn prices have risen dramatically over the past few weeks and are likely to remain at record highs,” the lawmakers said in a letter to be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency. The letter follows a petition filed earlier this week by the US livestock industry.

US Senate group OKs biodiesel tax credit extension

The biodiesel tax incentive was first implemented in 2005 and also expired in 2010. After it was reinstated last year, the biodiesel industry grew rapidly, the NBB trade group said, setting a new production record of nearly 1.1 billion gallons and supporting more than 39,000 jobs.

Modernize your compressor lube- and seal-oil systems

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

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.

Utility piping: Why over-engineering is inefficient

Victaulic: Wilkerson, G.

Grooved mechanical piping can offer improved constructability, speedy expansion, retrofit and turnaround, and also reduce safety risks. It is a quality pipe-joining method.

Consider new developments for variable-speed electric motors

WorleyParsons Services: Almasi, A.

New challenges, recent developments, the latest mechanical issues and main reliability factors for large variable-speed electric motor drivers in HPI plants are presented here.

Improve performance monitoring of your turbomachinery

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.: Bhachu, U.  |  Francis, J.

This case study documents the performance variables to consider and apply when monitoring and tracking the efficiency deterioration for a steam turbine using DSs in a PI process book.

Case history: Improve refrigeration compressor performance

Fluor Canada Ltd.: Ghaisas, N.

This case examines the mechanical distress and performance deterioration of a critical refrigeration compressor that was installed at a world-scale petrochemicals complex.

Apply new guidelines to select compressors for low-temperature service

Bharat Pumps and Compressors, Ltd.: Mubarak, S.

The writer calls on design and process engineers to take extra precautions when selecting and sizing their reciprocating compressors for low-temperature gas service.

Use dynamic simulation for advanced LNG plant design

Hyperion Systems Engineering, Modeling and Simulation: Harismiadis, V. I.
Hyperion Systems Engineering: Stavrakas, D.  |  Sood, A.  |  Bhattad, G.
Saipem SpA: Fantolini, A. M.  |  Pedone, L.  |  D’Orazi, L.  |  Prodan, R.

The work performed for the project shows that dynamic simulation can be an excellent tool for the support and verification of process design during the engineering, procurement and plant construction (EPC) stages.

PERU LNG: Executing Peru’s largest industrial project

Hunt Oil Co.: Sharma, S.
CB&I: Hill, D.  |  Rano, P.  |  Humphrey, G.  |  Mayer, M.

The PERU LNG project includes a liquefaction plant, marine export facilities with an island breakwater, and a 408-km pipeline that connects to an existing pipeline in the Ayacucho mountains. Hunt Oil Co. is the operator.