Process Operations : Lessons Learned in a Nontechnical Language

Geared to young and seasoned professionals alike, Process Operations: Lessons Learned in a Nontechnical Language is designed to present a straightforward approach to mastering the principles and concepts all process engineers should be able to apply without the need of a computer. While simulations and models are useful for examining long-term operational issues, they cannot replace the dimension of human logic and reason required when tackling the array of complex—and sometimes life threatening—situations that occur in process plants. Using the author's experiences from over 58 years in the process industry, this book provides approaches to understanding core process concepts in ways that will equip the engineer to walk out of an office into a plant and directly resolve process deficiencies via small operational changes or simple retrofits.

Features and Benefits

• Process technology stories relating to things the author experienced
• Practical advice for optimizing interactions with key plant operations personnel
• Lessons learned from application in the field

Audience

• Field level personnel
• Management
• Energy lending and finance professionals
• Anyone who seeks to understand how, or relies upon, energy markets
• Students

List of Figures
List of Tables
Letter from the Author
Dedication
Introduction

Chapter 1 : Applying Technology at Home
Chapter 2 : Applying Technology at Work
Chapter 3 : Optimizing Fractionation Efficiency
Chapter 4 : Reflux in Distillation
Chapter 5 : Understanding How Distillation Trays Work
Chapter 6 : Distillation : Converting Wine to Brandy, plus Basic Calculations
Chapter 7 : Distillation Tray Efficiency
Chapter 8 : Steam Stripping Products
Chapter 9 : Draft in Fired Heaters
Chapter 10 : Hazards in Fired Heater Operations
Chapter 11 : Coking in Fired Heater Tubes : Safe Shutdown Due to Tube Failure
Chapter 12 : Centrifugal Pumps
Chapter 13 : Starting NPSH for Centrifugal Pumps
Chapter 14 : How Controls Work
Chapter 15 : Dangers for Automated Control
Chapter 16 : Heat Exchangers
Chapter 17 : Cooling Towers : Minimizing the Water Return Temperature
Chapter 18 : Cooling-Water Circuits : Maximizing Circulation Rates
Chapter 19 : Motive Steam : Use in Turbines and Engines
Chapter 20 : Reciprocating Compression and Refrigeration
Chapter 21 : Hydraulics
Chapter 22 : Pressure and Pressure Drop in Pipes
Chapter 23 : Vacuum System and Vacuum Surface Condenser Problems
Chapter 24 : Corrosion
Chapter 25 : Vessel Failure Due to Hydrogen Attack
Chapter 26 : Energy Release by Combustion
Chapter 27 : Case Histories : Avoiding Death and Disaster in Process Units
Chapter 28 : Basic Safety Considerations
Chapter 29 : Process Plant Operations and Global Warming

Conclusion : Nature of Process Engineering
Index
About Oil & Gas Journal
Other Books by the Author
The Norm Lieberman Video Library