Loss Prevention
Does your control valve talk?
Pneumatic operated control valves (POCVs) are consistently the most used control final element for process control across most industries—in some cases, they are also part of the safety instrumented systems (SISs) layer.
Plug the metering skills gap to ensure measurement accuracy and safety
In all sectors of industry, the measurement of flow is of vital importance. However, in an industry that is cutting costs, what impact will a growing skills gap have on meter management and accuracy of measurement?
Troubleshooting vacuum operation of an inter-after condenser unit in an ethylene plant
A system of compressors powered by surface condensing steam turbines is inherent in the operation of a typical ethane cracker unit.
Automation Strategies: Navigating automation in oil and gas—Lessons learned from other industries
In today’s economy, industrial automation has become absolutely essential for refiners, petrochemical producers and pipeline owners looking to maintain profitability and competitive advantage as market pressures bear down on them.
Reliability: Identify top ways to weather weak market conditions
New Jersey-based Carmagen Engineering Inc., a member of Mistras Group Inc., is a highly respected consulting engineering and project management firm comprising experienced subject matter experts (SMEs).
View/Alt-View: Giving voice to alternative views
Our publication often features a Viewpoint column, an executive-level short opinion piece that usually focuses on the author’s sector of the hydrocarbon processing industry. This month, we are featuring two columns back-to-back, presenting alternative views on a single topic. We use the word “alternative” deliberately—rather than “opposing”—as we wish to highlight views that present legitimately different perspectives.
Could your facility benefit from a marine terminal assessment?
How sure would a terminal manager at a distribution terminal, or a line manager at a refinery or a chemical plant that has marine loading and unloading docks, be that those docks are being operated at a level that ensures long-term safe performance?
Analyze the startup vibration of hot pumps to prevent trips
Online monitoring and diagnostic systems are used by petrochemical plants and refineries worldwide for their critical machinery monitoring capabilities.
Modified revamp process to reduce energy use in an SDA unit
Solvent deasphalting (SDA) is emerging as a low-cost, bottom-of-the-barrel upgrading process to recover valuable oil from short residue. This oil can either be further processed to make lube-oil-based stocks or cracked in secondary processing units.
Innovations
Siemens has been working closely with the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on a cyber security project.

- Chevron Phillips Chemical completes low-viscosity PAO expansion in Belgium 8/12
- AFPM: U.S. RFS proposal misses the mark on affordability, security by an ‘Iowa mile’ 8/12
- Sasol expects profit rebound on higher chemical prices and lower impairments 8/12
- Indonesia's Pertamina delivers first used cooking oil aviation fuel 8/12
- India's HMEL plans to shut refinery for 40-day maintenance, sources say 8/12
- Indian refiners using term deals as hedge against Russian supply risk 8/12