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Operations & Maintenance

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The Unrecognized Problems of Relocating Laboratories

Follow the guidance provided here to avoid many of the problems that can arise during the relocation of laboratory facilities The decision to move a laboratory from an existing space to a new research facility is often warranted. A merger…

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Torque Limiter Technologies for Rotating Machinery

Torque overloads can cause serious problems for rotating machinery, but an understanding of torque limiting technologies can help engineers to enable more reliable operations Reliability, safety and productivity are key terms that come to mind when considering manufacturing plant operations,…

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Precision Grouting: Setting the Foundation for Equipment Reliability

A clear understanding of grout material properties is important to ensure that equipment is effectively protected against vibration and misalignment Reliability of critical rotating equipment depends first and foremost on maintaining precision alignment. This requires a robust foundation under the…

Facts at your Fingertips: Corrosion Complications

Corrosion is an obvious factor to consider when selecting materials of construction for process equipment. However, the chemical environment of the process is only the starting point in selecting an acceptable material. A set of other factors can complicate corrosion-resistance…

Digitalization: What does it deliver today… and tomorrow?

Digitalization, properly deployed, has been proven by ABB to cut capital and operational expenditures up to 30 percent by accelerating and optimizing decision-making.  By 2025, further savings and performance improvements are expected from people working collaboratively with artificial intelligence. Colin…

Recently Published Books for March 2018

The following titles are recently published books with relevance to the chemical process industries (CPI) . . .   Carbon Dioxide to Chemicals and Fuels. By Aulice Scibioh and B. Viswanathan, Elsevier, 2018, 510 pages, $170.00. Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy…

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Guidelines for Designing a Compressed Air System

With the proper knowledge, engineers can work alongside compressor manufacturers to ensure that an optimal air compression system is installed There are various factors to consider when designing a compressed air system that help to improve the reliability and efficiency…

Pressure-Relief System Design: Developments and Deficiencies

Areas of recent activity for pressure-relief systems include new calculation methods and updates to existing codes and standards. Included here is an overview of recent developments and a look at the results from a recent study of pressure-relief system deficiencies…

Sizing Pressure-Relief Valves for Two-Phase Flow

Several methods are available for sizing two-phase pressure-relief valves (PRVs). Here, the API 520 homogeneous direct integration method is compared to a potentially simpler alternative that does not require integration Two-phase pressure-relief valves (PRVs) have been studied by many researchers.…

Modernizing Petroleum Refineries

Modern materials of construction can greatly improve the performance of heat-recovery steam generators, making it well worthwhile to consider retrofits   North American petroleum refiners are investing billions these days on modernization projects — typically, the upgrade of old crude-oil-processing…