Drivers
HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 83: What are useful questions to ask before starting a vibration analysis?
Periodically, this author receives questions from readers throughout the world addressing what performance issues could be wrong with a centrifugal compressor that is vibrating. Note: It is impossible..
Avoid counterproductive project management practices
For many years, reliability-focused engineers have observed flawed procurement processes for mechanical equipment. Many requirements are supposedly aimed at the lowest possible lifecycle cost; however..
Fine-tune monitoring of critical compressors
In this case history, a new monitoring system was installed on a critical service hyper compressor for a Middle East (ME) ethylene complex. This unit supported two 400 Mton polyethylene (PE) units; do..
HP Reliability: Plan now to deal with stressed equipment later
The US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA’s) “Today in Energy” brief evaluated how US refineries are processing record amounts of crude oil (Fig. 1), with Midwest and Gulf Co..
How to select compressors for various process services
Every style or type of compressor was developed to serve a particular process purpose. Collective references have devoted hundreds of thousands of pages on this topic. Two books have attempted to summ..
HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 82: Be cautious when purchasing ‘first of kind’ equipment
What is the definition of “first of kind” when discussing equipment and products? The definition used in this editorial is the “first built for your company,” and it can often have..
HP Reliability: Trends from Texas A&M’s 43rd Turbomachinery and 30th Pump Symposia
Many HP readers are very familiar with the Texas A&M Turbomachinery (TAMU Turbo) and Pump Symposia events. The Houston-based 2014 forum, held Sept. 21–25, set new records in both attendance and n..
Update on control and safety systems for turbomachinery
All plant workers want to reduce the safety risk associated with turbomachinery operation while avoiding nuisance trips. The goal is to run machines in an efficient manner. In this context, safety ris..
Consider true zero-emission packing for reciprocating compressors
Especially when handling hydrogen, reciprocating compressors must provide ruggedness, operating flexibility and energy efficiency at pressures up to 3,000 psi (200 bar).
HP Reliability: Can integrally geared compressors be successfully used with variable speeds?
A recent HP webinar answered a number of compressor-related questions. This same webinar also generated a few additional ones. A viewer thought that two statements from this presentation were in contr..
- Consortium launches study to create a consolidated hub for recycled plastics 5/22
- Eni strengthens its global LNG strategy with long-term supply agreements in Indonesia 5/22
- Breakthrough shows how electricity could replace heat to turn CO₂ into useful chemicals 5/22
- bp's Whiting Refinery offers revised proposal to union in ongoing talks 5/22
- Plains oil pipeline partly shut down after rupture in East Los Angeles (U.S.), could disrupt supplies to refineries 5/22
- Vitol moves to open Mexico fuel terminal years after bribery scandal 5/22
