Maintenance & Reliability
Reliability: Safe fluid machines are our responsibility
Early in our training as engineers, we developed the ability to collect and evaluate data.
Editorial Comment: Where some see roadblocks, we see opportunities
In the January issue of Hydrocarbon Processing, the editorial comment focused on the roadmap to advancing ideas.
Coke drum and blowdown system overpressure protection design - Part 1
The blowdown (BD) system in delayed coking units (DCUs) receives waste streams generated during the coke drum (CD) decoking process to recover valuable hydrocarbons and water. In recent DCU designs, the CD pressure relief valves (PRVs) also discharge to this system and then to the flare system via the BD PRVs.
Digital: Digitalization—Why now?
The process industries are under threat.
Fluid Flow: Retrofit for reliability with Coriolis flowmeters
Aging infrastructure has become a much-talked-about issue across the hydrocarbon industry.
Maintenance: Mind the small stuff—Tips to manage particle contamination
Particle contamination in lubricants is the primary cause of lubricant-related equipment failure and hydraulic system failure, according to industry studies.
Reliability: Where asset reliability must begin in refineries and petrochemical plants
Numerous articles on asset reliability have been published in the decades since 1970.
The critical maintenance team: Do you have one?
Larger plants typically have planners and maintenance supervisors onsite, as well as operations personnel.
Application of ring-type joint gaskets in a refinery
In refineries and petrochemical plants, ring-type joint (RTJ) flanges have been applied to high-pressure processes or sensitive areas that are susceptible to leaks.
Fabrication of clad equipment and piping—Part 2
For pressure vessels, heat exchangers and piping in corrosive services, the materials in contact with the process are often required to be high alloys to provide a reliable service life.
- Kazakhstan to build a new $10-B, 10-MMtpy refinery 2/18
- U.S. EPA expected to send 2026 biofuel blending quotas to White House this week 2/18
- Kent awarded pre-FEED contract for Eq.flight, an advanced power-to-liquids SAF project 2/18
- ABB launches integrated carbon capture measurement solution to accelerate industrial decarbonization 2/18
- CONSER awarded technology licensing/PDP contract for DMS and BDO plant in China 2/18
- Singapore marine fuel sales maintain strong start in early 2026 2/18

