Pumps
Reliability: When slow-rolling machines can cause failures, and how to avoid them
All the book learning in the world will fail if we do not use common sense. We could also say that we need to think things through and should recognize that intuitive logic can lead us astray. If that sounds like semantic banter, let us zero in on three practical field examples that illustrate the issues at hand.
Editorial Comment: Honoring the industry’s best … take 2!
Due to Tropical Storm Imelda, Hydrocarbon Processing issued its first force majeure in postponing the third annual HP Awards.
Hydrocarbon Processing Awards Winners
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing,</i> the downstream processing sector’s leading technical publication, has announced the winners for its third annual awards. The <i>HP</i> Awards celebrate innovative technologies and people that have been instrumental in improving facility operations over the past year.
Reliability: Viewing issues out of context may be a waste of time
An alternative to the above title would be “Test your rotating equipment engineers’ IQ.”
Hydrocarbon Processing Awards
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing,</i> the downstream processing sector’s leading technical publication, has announced the finalists for its third annual awards.
Horizontal distillation column technology
Gas-liquid contact operations are required for the separation of mixtures based on differences in the chemical properties (volatility, solubility, etc.) of various components.
Reliability: Find the cause of black oil in pump bearing housings
While on consulting assignments, observant reliability engineers often uncover (or rediscover) failure initiators that their long-departed colleagues experienced years ago.
Pumps handicapped by not using best available technology
Pump lubrication deficiencies are often denied, and the outstanding reliability performance of oil mist is vastly underreported.
Innovations
To test developments of pumps and systems under even more realistic conditions, LEWA has inaugurated a specially developed container test bench that will be used for experiments with hot or explosive fluids.
An evolving approach to digitalization
Much has been written in recent years about the need for refineries to embrace the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

- LyondellBasell to sell select European petrochemical assets to AEQUITA 6/9
- Shell reports June 4 fire at ethylene cracker plant in Pennsylvania (U.S.) 6/9
- Plug Power, Allied Green Ammonia partner for $5.5-B, 2-GW electrolyzer project to produce SAF, green urea and green diesel 6/9
- Carbon Clean, MODEC to accelerate the scale-up of CycloneCC for offshore carbon capture 6/9
- Ebara Elliott Energy signs high-speed balancing bunker agreement to expand Middle East footprint 6/9
- Rotork joins Rockwell Automation’s Technology Partner Program 6/9