Articles covered in this issue:
Delayed coking deheading valves
Les Antalffy, Anil Rajguru, Barry Millet – Fluor; Ruben Lah, Critical Flow Solutions
This article briefly explains the old method of delayed coking drum deheading using the deheading cart and explains the benefits of the new deheading valves. It discusses details and features of the two deheading valves currently on the market explaining their features, how they operate and how these large valves (weighing in excess of 35 tons) must be installed.
Selecting the appropriate specialty valve
Pankaj Israni, Aker Powergas
This article helps in understanding the importance of valves, which are integral to process industries like refining, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and oil & gas. It also gives information on the various types of specialty valves, their key features, and their selection.
LOPA – What it is and what can go wrong!
Shivendra Kapoor, Chola MS Risk Services
Every company wants to have its operating facility safe and free from any legal obligations that may possibly arise because of unsafe design or incomplete safety specifications amongst many other factors. Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) is one of the risk assessment techniques. This article highlights the experiences of the author while being involved in LOPA sessions.
Are unsafe fireproofing practices still being used in oil&gas and petrochemical processing plants?
Graham Boaler, Richard Holliday, Edward Walker, MMI Engineering
The pre-fire durability, explosion resistance, fire capability and reliability of the hollow encasement, box design fireproofing is found to be inherently flawed but remains a preferred method with some stakeholders in Asia, Middle East, Europe and the United States. This article discusses why the design is obsolete and reasons why the practice continues.
Protection of Industrial Assets: Cybersecurity in the Chemical World
Eric Knapp, Honeywell Process Solutions
By understanding what contributes to the risk of a cyber incident, plant facilities can work to minimize them and achieve a higher level of performance and predictability of process systems and networks. This includes preventing possible business outages and diminishing the threat of lost revenue due to serious safety, environmental and personnel catastrophes.