Pumps
High-energy pump balance line flow monitoring using ultrasonic flow measurements
The objective of this article is to demonstrate the value of utilizing portable or permanently mounted ultrasonic flow measurement technology to measure and monitor high-energy pump hydraulic balance line flow.
Preventing wire wooling journal bearing failure
This work details the operation of a 21,000-HP, five-stage barrel pump utilized for seawater injection service.
Upgrading the bottom of the barrel
In the past few decades, new technologies, including both carbon rejection methods and catalytic conversion methods, have emerged.
How the “LLF” condition monitoring technique can improve manufactured product profitability
Technological advances have allowed predictive maintenance (i.e., condition-based maintenance) to overtake preventive maintenance in plant operations. “Look, listen and feel (LLF)” is a condition monitoring technique that improves the reliability of equipment and machinery in manifolds.
Reliability: Include pump wear rings in your upgrade efforts
Most centrifugal pump designs include replaceable rotating wear rings on the impeller (impeller wear rings) and stationary wear rings inside the casing (case wear rings). Although pump wear rings are simple components, they can have profound impacts on pump reliability, efficiency and safety. These wear rings serve three purposes:
Consider pitot tube pumps for low-flow, high-head applications
Low-flow, high-head pumping requirements in refining and petrochemical plants make up less than 2% of the total pump population. This minor percentage is creating significant reliability concerns, which result in low mean-time between failures (MTBF), as well as high maintenance costs.
Advancing export terminal technology: An optimized process for the refrigeration of cryogenic hydrocarbons
Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.
Case histories of amine plant equipment corrosion problems–Part 2
Past corrosion incidents provide insight into the causes of corrosion and the preventive actions required to protect plant equipment and reduce costly plant downtime.
The design and construction of large crude oil storage tanks with double-deck floating roofs
As crude oil prices decline, consumption of petroleum fuels is increasing.
Reliability: Could a company be its own worst enemy?
In a recent conversation with a “pump veteran,” we explored his 33 yr of experience with pump original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) from 1984–1997 and with a widely known non-OEM (1997–2017).
- Digital Exclusive: Root cause analysis on hydrochloric acid corrosion in a diesel hydrotreater unit 12/16
- Digital Feature: Enabling growth through strategic cost optimization for petrochemical and refining companies 12/16
- Rohm awards NextChem feasibility study for PMMA-polymer chemical recycling plant project 12/16
- Westlake to rationalize certain North American chlorovinyl and styrene assets 12/16
- CMB.TECH invests in Chinese ammonia supply 12/16
- Kumho Mitsui Chemicals to increase capacity of MDI production facilities 12/15
