Does anyone have any sizing guidelines for an iron sponge tower? I know there are a lot of alternatives including aqueous iron processes, triazine, bio, etc. I've been asked to check on the required size of an iron sponge system. I need mass pickup of H2S in lb/lb and a space velocity...
Is anyone aware of a code and/or published guideline that requires an auto-blowdown of a natural gas facility when a gas detection event is triggered? We often do this at 20 ppmv or 40% LEL but is this a code requirement or just common practice. The plant is 24 hour attended and the owner is...
We've been asked to look into the possibility of a condensate stabilizer dropping into a vacuum condition during a shutdown in a very cold Canadian winter. My gut reaction is that this won't happen, but I'm struggling with how to perform this calculation. The volume of the tower and reboiler...
I have always believed that we shouldn't reduce the diameter of the PSV discharge line. We now have a client questioning my belief (can you imagine that!) - now I can't seem to find any reference that specifically forbids me from reducing my 2.5" line down to a 2" line. Sure, it's not good...
We've been asked to look at determining the life expectancy of gas processing equipment. Normally I would fall back on the standard of 20 years but most of the equipment in this plant is well over 20 years and is going strong. Any thoughts on how to do this? I thought I might try and contact...
Interesting question came up in a hazop. We have a number of recip compressors on site and each is equipped with an automated outlet unit block valve that closes on compressor shutdown. There is also a check valve between the compressor outlet and the block valve. A plant ESD is going to vent...
Does anyone have info relating the Souders Brown k factor to the particle size? For example, if we use the commonly accepted k of 0.35 - what size of particle does this relate to?
We often use higher K's in some services - does this mean we can accept larger particles or more particles being...
This might seem like a dumb question, but it's late and I'm stuck on this one. Does the pipe in a nozzle wall have to meet B31.3 wall thickness requirements or does it have to comply with ASME Sec 8 Div 1?
If it's constructed of A106B, do I use 20,000 Psi stress? Is there a way to disregard...
Here's a quirky one that's bothering me. We have a liquid propane receiver that is equipped with a normal level control valve on the liquid outlet line.
Due to the hazop - we're now installing an ESDV on the same line slightly downstream of the LCV. I've reviewed with my team and we believe...
Has anyone used flare system meters that really work? I've tried a couple of different kinds, but they just don't seem to be reliable. Ultrasonic, optical, - I need something with a massive turndown, amazing accuracy and it has to work in dirty sour service, big ambient swings, and usually...
We've been instructed to blow down the facility to the lesser of either 700 kPag or 1/2 the design stress of the equipment in 15 minutes or less.
Does anyone know if the starting point is system design pressure (i.e., MAWP) or normal operating pressure? API RP521 is somewhat vague in this...
This has come up a few times in the past but I think it's worth throwing it back out for consideration. Does anyone know of a criteria or spec for Emergency Shutdown Valve (ESDV) closing speed? I'm aware of the concerns with respect to hydraulic surge if the valve is located on a liquid line...
I know that the molar volume of a gas is 22.4 mol/m3 at reference conditions. I then calculated a shifted molar volume at my regulatory conditions of 15 Deg C and 101.325 kPa to be 23.645 mol/m3. So far, so good. Now my regulator is insisting that I account for supercompressibility in my...
Has anyone written a macro or a routine for drawing a rev cloud that I can drop into a datasheet? The base drawing symbol for cloud on MSExcel is poor quality and it would be great if a macro existed that would draw the cloud around the offending cells and drop in a numbered triangle.
I have a client spec that requires a particular valve to be 352LCC, however, the supplier has provided a 350LF2 forged valve (globe valve).
Can anyone enlighten me on the key or critical differences? The line is in dehydrated acid gas service and will be traced and insulated. Valve is...
Looking for some idea of minimum flow or velocity to maintain stable combustion from an open pipe flarestack? I'm looking at the HUSA model but given that I'm using propane, I'm struggling with the bouyancy factor values. Any info would be appreciated. Apparently BP used to have an RP that...
I am trying to set up a schedule where I can use progress payments from within the schedule. For example, suppose I buy a million dollar compressor with payments of 10% down, and 20% a month until its paid for. Each piece of equipment or activity may have a different payment schedule.
Is...
Can anyone advise on allowable "k" factors for vane pack separation? This is a Peerless PBX type unit operating at about 885 Psia on sweet (0.65 gravity) gas.
Does anybody remember the composition of Ucar TF-18? One of my old plants is using this and I can't remember if this is EG based or TEG based. I can't seem to find the data anywhere.
Can anyone provide reliability data for standard spring operated PSV's? The SIS or HIPPS system is meant to provide a near identical level of reliability to a PSV, however, published data on probability of failure on demand for PSV's seems to be scarce. Our client refuses to provide an...
