Voices: Plant InSites

Source: Shutterstock.
Shutterstock 1260361003
Shutterstock 1260361003
Shutterstock 1260361003
Shutterstock 1260361003
Shutterstock 1260361003

Use HAZOPs Properly

A hazard and operability study (HAZOP) mostly is a safety design check, not a design development review. Making and finalizing major design choices should occur long before a ...
Shutterstock 1904076724
Pump Reliability Service
Pump Reliability Service
Pump Reliability Service
Pump Reliability Service
Pump Reliability Service

Optimizing Pump Reliability in Continuous Operation Plants

Factors to consider for ensuring pump performance and resilience in chemical facilities
Shutterstock 1643787379
Shutterstock 1643787379
Shutterstock 1643787379
Shutterstock 1643787379
Shutterstock 1643787379
Shutterstock 1643787379

Heat Exchanger Solutions for Extreme Operating Ranges in Chemical Facilities

A chemical processing plant’s innovative approach to adapting a heat exchanger for extreme operating-rate ranges
shutterstock_1408779227
Shutterstock 1408779227
Shutterstock 1408779227
Shutterstock 1408779227
Shutterstock 1408779227
Shutterstock 1408779227

Project Management: Master The Art Of Early Ordering

Early purchasing is done when time is critical. Experienced engineers are required to balance factors and make quick decisions to reduce time from concept to execution.
Source: Shutterstock.
Shutterstock 1247273248
Shutterstock 1247273248
Shutterstock 1247273248
Shutterstock 1247273248
Shutterstock 1247273248

Close-up Look at T-Junction Mixing for Gases

In the right conditions, a simple T-junction mixer can be an effective way to mix gases. Here, we look at the many variations.
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Shutterstock 1152808259
Shutterstock 1152808259
Shutterstock 1152808259
Shutterstock 1152808259
Shutterstock 1152808259

Seeing is Believing: Field Test Vacuum Systems for Accurate Troubleshooting

Don’t rely on ‘experienced-based’ estimates to identify critical operating issues in chemical process facilities.
shutterstock_412496602
Shutterstock 412496602
Shutterstock 412496602
Shutterstock 412496602
Shutterstock 412496602
Shutterstock 412496602

Waste Gas Recovery Systems Reduce Emissions, Improve Energy Efficiency

A reliable configuration will improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions
Shutterstock
Shutterstock 1415326352
Shutterstock 1415326352
Shutterstock 1415326352
Shutterstock 1415326352
Shutterstock 1415326352

Fight Foam Accumulation

This month’s Plant InSites column explains the struggle of accumulation of foam in chemical storage, and how one company addressed the issue.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock 1813998269
Shutterstock 1813998269
Shutterstock 1813998269
Shutterstock 1813998269
Shutterstock 1813998269

Are TEMA Fouling Values Still Relevant?

Traditional approaches to measuring heat exchanger fouling may be a recipe for equipment failure.
Vacuum System
Vacuum System
Vacuum System
Vacuum System
Vacuum System

Mind Equipment Modifications

Care should be taken when adding parallel equipment to make sure that adequate flow happens in all paths.
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2

Processing Equipment: Are Guarantees Worthwhile?

Aug. 24, 2022
The comfort they provide can come at considerable cost and complexity
Shutterstock 743833879
Shutterstock 743833879
Shutterstock 743833879
Shutterstock 743833879
Shutterstock 743833879

Fluid Handling: Don’t Push Piping Flow Too High

Understanding velocity limits to prevent erosion and corrosion is crucial
fig-1-slug-flow-regime
fig-1-slug-flow-regime
fig-1-slug-flow-regime
fig-1-slug-flow-regime
fig-1-slug-flow-regime

Fluid Handling: Stop Slug Flow

The Froude number can offer important insights
fig-1-flow-splitting-methods
fig-1-flow-splitting-methods
fig-1-flow-splitting-methods
fig-1-flow-splitting-methods
fig-1-flow-splitting-methods

Piping Tips: Use Your Head With Headers

Carefully consider the consequences of configuration on flow distribution
sm-three-stage-steam-ejector-system-copy
sm-three-stage-steam-ejector-system-copy
sm-three-stage-steam-ejector-system-copy
sm-three-stage-steam-ejector-system-copy
sm-three-stage-steam-ejector-system-copy

Fluid Handling: Are You Playing Vacuum-System Roulette?

Feb. 1, 2022
Combining condensate drain lines always is a gamble
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2

Fluid Handling: Effectively Purge Lines

Jan. 19, 2022
Follow some proven pointers for getting rid of loose materials
Hydraulic-Capacity-Calculations
Hydraulic-Capacity-Calculations
Hydraulic-Capacity-Calculations
Hydraulic-Capacity-Calculations
Hydraulic-Capacity-Calculations

Don’t Rely On Hydraulic Capacity Calculations

Real plant conditions may vary markedly from assumptions
Fig-1-heat-transfer-resistance
Fig-1-heat-transfer-resistance
Fig-1-heat-transfer-resistance
Fig-1-heat-transfer-resistance
Fig-1-heat-transfer-resistance

Heat Exchanger: Forestall Fouling-Factor Foul-ups

Oct. 27, 2021
Accumulated errors can invalidate calculated results for heat exchangers
piping-designers
piping-designers
piping-designers
piping-designers
piping-designers

Don’t Simply Blame The Piping Designer

Sept. 22, 2021
Bizarre layouts often stem from poor communications
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2
Sloley2

Equipment Troubleshooting: Do More With Mass Balance

Aug. 25, 2021
Tracking a change in inventory can result in important insights
pitching-improvment-questions
pitching-improvment-questions
pitching-improvment-questions
pitching-improvment-questions
pitching-improvment-questions

Maintenance: Properly Pitch Improvement Ideas

July 25, 2021
Use three questions to determine if a potential enhancement makes sense
fig-1-technology-readiness-level
fig-1-technology-readiness-level
fig-1-technology-readiness-level
fig-1-technology-readiness-level
fig-1-technology-readiness-level

Don’t Skip Development Steps

June 29, 2021
Pushing technology too fast can cost a company dearly
figure-1-tube-layout
figure-1-tube-layout
figure-1-tube-layout
figure-1-tube-layout
figure-1-tube-layout

Free Up More Tubular Exchanger Area

May 25, 2021
Consider options besides changing bundle pitch when debottlenecking
pick-proper-corrosion-resistant-materials
pick-proper-corrosion-resistant-materials
pick-proper-corrosion-resistant-materials
pick-proper-corrosion-resistant-materials
pick-proper-corrosion-resistant-materials

Corrosion Prevention: Select The Optimum Materials

April 27, 2021
Consider a variety of factors beyond inherent corrosion resistance
prepare-for-next-deep-freeze
prepare-for-next-deep-freeze
prepare-for-next-deep-freeze
prepare-for-next-deep-freeze
prepare-for-next-deep-freeze

Maintenance: Get Ready For The Next Big Freeze

March 30, 2021
The rarity of frigid conditions provides cold comfort if you haven’t prepared