Becht

The key to maintaining safe and reliable operations of a coker unit is healthy heater radiant tubes. Here’s a look at the technology and methods available.

Part 2 of this series reviews common pitfalls in the foundational data and information portions of the DIKW framework when using current industry ICHRs.

In this interview, we explore pivotal events, technological advancements, influential figures, current challenges, and future outlooks within the industry.

Part 1 of this series provides a suggested framework for consistently generating a complete inspection continuous history report.

Our conversation delved into his journey, expertise, and insights into asset integrity and reliability, as well as nuances related to their application in Asia-Pacific.

It is important to know what damage mechanisms to look for and where to look for them. We will review the link between damage mechanism assignments and RBI.

A look at common reliability issues to help give perspective on where issues may be waiting and how to handle them when they arise.

Leveraging and combining the correct inspection tools on complex problems can yield the best overall data and understanding of actual conditions.

This article describes HTHA predictive modeling advances that are designed to demonstrate a direct integration with inspection such that modeling and inspection can be leveraged together in a way never done before.

Complex problems require collaboration between process, operations, maintenance, inspection, and engineering. It is important to establish a sense of trust in your organization and work to avoid situations where "dynamic tension" is a way of life.

Quantifying corrosion for different crude fractions allows planners the ability to mix and match crude blends alternatively to achieve pre-set metal loss and reliability goals. This flexibility has significant implications for extensive cost savings.

In order to thrive, companies need to maintain top-tier optimization and run equipment safely, reliably, and aggressively. Leveraging highly accurate thermography is one piece of the puzzle to help with these shifts.

This is the first article in a new column. In each article, the author will explore how different parts of organizations can partner to discover new efficiencies, improved equipment integrity, and opportunities to capture additional margin.

IOWs are an important component of a world-class mechanical integrity program. In order to have a robust IOW program, the integration of IOWs into other areas of PSM is critical. This article provides four concrete examples of integration.

This article presents a model to better predict the corrosivity of hot crude oil streams, which is based on open literature going back for almost 60 years and incorporates published information from joint industry projects (JIPs).

Nelson curves, which are the foundation of the industry’s HTHA programs, can be tied to mechanistic models from several sources, allowing the recreation of Nelson curves for different operational histories and time durations.

When paired with the right software, the RBWS process can lead to significant reductions in turnaround work scopes. However, some software tools have distinct advantages over others.

A refinery or process facility FEMI program consists of eight Pillars that are fundamental to achieve FEMI excellence. This article describes these Pillars in detail and suggests what distinguishes good Pillars from those that are less than adequate.

Developing a comprehensive turnaround (TA) work scope for process equipment is a critical step for achieving a facility's business goals. Risk Based Work Selection is a proven process for prioritizing and optimizing planned work for an impending TA.

Risk Based Work Selection (RBWS) is an industry best practice used to help refiners better-manage the safety and reliability of operations for a facility. When properly conducted, RBWS can help refiners optimize major turnaround projects.

Most plants have pieces of equipment with chronic problems that impact profitability due to the frequency of outages, cost of repairs, and lost production. It is critical that specific actions are taken to identify and eliminate these “Bad...

Read a firsthand account of how organizing Process, People, Plant, and Performance can reveal breakdowns in your corrosion management practices and drive down corrosion related leaks.

This article provides background on HTHA, discusses some current developments in HTHA inspection and mitigation, and describes how one refiner is instituting an HTHA risk management plan for its refineries along with challenges they have encountered.

With the publication of API RP 579 For Fitness-For-Service and the planned publication of API RP 580 for Risk Based Inspection in 2001, these technologies will find increasing application in maintenance and inspection planning.

The release of API RP579 will bring about some changes to other existing API standards. The plan is to offer an integrated suite of API standards, where information is presented once and the other documents refer and are linked to that information.