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The article discusses the use of new chemical treatments as a preventive maintenance strategy for cracked gas compressor (CGC) units in olefin production facilities. Topics covered include an overview of the function of CGCs in downstream units, and the common causes of compressor fouling and deterioration. It suggests that long-term prevention of compressor fouling can be achieved through chemical formulation treatments that have antioxidant and inhibitor properties.

The article focuses on how maintenance and reliability in gas analysis supports hydrocarbon processing installations. Topics discussed include the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the need for preparation into sharp focus for industrial plants; and maintaining equipment reliability and minimizing downtime have taken on new levels of importance, and it has become essential to ensure the right spare parts, consumables and other equipment are available when needed.

The article presents the author views on dividing wall columns (DWCS). He states about reflux splitter that considered as the major component of DWC system and its helps in the separation of liquid products from the column overhead into two liquid streams. He further mentions that DWC can reduce energy consumption and minimize capital investment.

The article presents the author views of spare parts inventory in hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) facilities. He states that hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) operates thousands of fluid machinery assets. He further discusses purpose of spares and concepts of shared capital spares and/or requiring the vendor to stock spare part.

The article reports on maintenance and repair of process pumps in hydrocarbon processing industry. It specifically discusses original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vs. non-OEM competent pump rebuild shop (CPRS) issue. It also describes the cost advantages of critically timed hydraulic efficiency upgrades and details tangible pump improvement practice.

The article reports on maintenance of pumps in hydrocarbon processing industry. It specifically discusses a methodology to deal with troublesome pumps. It is stated that a key strategy for improving plant mean time between repairs (MTBR) is based on identifying and improving the reliability of one's most troublesome pumps.

The article reports on maintenance of lubricant system in hydrocarbon processing units. It specifically discusses the use of oil-mist lubrication and argues that oil mist extends equipment life over other methods. It is reported that oil-mist has been used as lubrication for pumps and motors in the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) since the late 1960s.

The article focuses on the benefits of sound-based predictive maintenance approach. It states that the approach offers several advantages including energy savings, productivity improvements, and reductions in maintenance activities. According to the author, the approach can detect incipient failures successfully. The approach is used in industrial plants to supply vibration analysis for examining the condition of the equipment.

The article describes the case of a major leak in a pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) unit that led to supply problems and declined production in a Middle East refinery. Topics discussed include the build up of powder or adsorbent fines in the PSA unit since the leak began in 2012, and the refinery's establishment of a PSA valve maintenance program to troubleshoot the valve problem. The article also offers analytical evaluation and corrective recommendations for the leaking PSA event.

The article reports on maintenance of pumps in flue-gas applications in hydrocarbon processing industry. It specifically discusses the U.S. environmental rules which require increased reliability for these pumps. It is opined that hydrocarbon processing unit should improve seal designs for "dirty" services.

The article discusses the system approach in spare parts management. It defines the item approach and system approach of inventory practice. In item approach, inventories are focused on individual items. In system approach, inventory management is addressed in a more comprehensive and coherent way, focusing on the system.

Focuses on measures which can aid in analyzing various operating, equipment and maintenance strategies that help optimize system performance. History of reliability engineering; Definition of reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) and optimization; Important study used in a RAM study; Conclusion.

The article discusses the problems faced by manufacturing industries in planning for spare parts and non-original equipment manufacturer's equipments beforehand. The author mentions that several spare parts and equipments fail because of various reasons including operator error, design oversights and material defects. Also, often the investment in these equipments got wasted because of training problems of staff to use them. He discusses the administrative mistakes in policies for these parts.

The article focuses on the proper remotion and replacement of gaskets for trouble-free machinery performance and maintenance. It mentions that lubricant application during removal of gaskets is sometimes inadvisable for it may chemically attack the newly installed gaskets and reduce friction between the flange and the gasket. Flange should also be contaminant and residual free in installing replacement gasket. It adds that proper gasket installation is important for better machinery performance.

The article reports that the Hydrocarbon Processing Industry (HPI) equipment and materials spending is projected to exceed $104.1 billion globally in 2009. It notes that there is a $7 million increase in the 2008 forecasts, which is a budget allocated on capital, maintenance, and operations. However, maintenance have the largest budget shares to spend for upgrades, retrofits, plant turnarounds, as well as safety and environmental requirements.

A very competent reliability professional recently sent an interesting note on the topic of spare parts. He is not alone in explaining that his company continues to have issues with its spare parts philosophy and overall parts management. He had consulted Improving Machinery Reliability and got a measure of information from a table, but confessed that he had been hoping for more. His e-mail described a situation. Winners and losers. Each plant differs from the next one in certain respects. Although two refineries or fertilizer plants may represent identical designs, they are not likely to have identically trained or motivated staff One plant takes perhaps greater risks in areas where operating prudence should be practiced. Some plants allow adequate time for turbine warm-up, while others use the "Rail speed ahead on lukewarm" approach.

The article presents author's views on the role of heavy rotating equipments in enhancing upstream and midstream gas processing and downstream refining and petrochemical processing. Topics include production of ethylene from oil to ethylene from lower-cost methane and natural gas, use of compressors, pumps and fans and challenges faced by engineering firms.

The article offers information on the better equipment selection of the petrochemical industry to address the problem on maintenance and reliability of equipment. It says that a reliability manager should limit the bidders' list on the best-of-class performers, and prefer to have few good and consistent performers. Furthermore, corporate specification and upgraded options should be considered by reliability professionals and pump manufacturers to control maintenance budget.

The article evaluates several industrial refinery equipment including GreenLine 2000 from E Instruments Group LLC, MILLHOG Tube-Expander Kits from Esco Tool, and compressor air coolers from Cameron.

The article reports that a survey of manufacturing engineers and engineering management has indicated that they plan to continue to improve their control systems. This will be done through the addition of predictive maintenance and equipment diagnostic functions to help in the management of data related to the process or application.

Presents an update on newly available websites to access information on process industries. Easy access to information about physicochemical profiling through the informative website of Sirius Analytical Instruments; Website by Enco, Nevada to access search tools and quickly find, view and compare Enco products with real-time pricing and availability; Availability of a new modular pipe support system website from Halfen Anchoring Systems for the North American hydrocarbon process industry; Constitution of a new online shopping mall by PdM-Shop.com for previously owned, surplus and reconditioned predictive maintenance equipment.