Some time ago, a client had a heat and material balance that they wanted recreated and scaled, but the only documentation the client had in regards to process chemistry was a set of PFDs with stream tables. Based on the flow rates and compositions on the page (what was appearing and disappearing), I had to…
Maintaining the integrity of the relief system design basis for a PSM covered facility is no easy task. Especially when a single facility, such as a refinery or chemical plant, can contain thousands of relief devices. However, as the old saying goes, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat”. Our clients have chosen…
A few years ago, I was having dinner with a colleague after completing a HAZOP for a client. As we discussed the PHA, the topic of safety culture came up. What are the hallmarks of a good safety culture, how have we been seeing it wax and wane among clients, and how have we experienced…
For the past many Springs, I have taught a Process Safety class at Rice University. I thoroughly enjoy imparting knowledge of my craft. I am also inspired every year by the promise of the students as they march towards the end of their undergraduate careers. One of the questions I get asked a lot by…
1. What Mechanical Integrity program improvements will deliver integrity and reliability performance? Visualization and Digital Twins:For me personally, visualization is critical to enhancing any program. Whether I am looking at a spreadsheet, an inspection report, an engineering specification sheet or U1A, visualization of a digital twin helps me visualize the equipment and its degradation locations.…
I recently finished the book Riding Rockets by Mike Mullane. The book is a memoir of the author’s time as an astronaut at NASA during the heyday of the Space Shuttle Program. With the recent 35th anniversary of the Challenger disaster, I could not help but reflect on some of the insights from the book.…
Alright; stop, grab a seat, and listen… It was COLD in Texas. REALLY cold. However, with simple planning for reliability, Texans could have possibly prevented multiple pipe-freezing failures that are continuing to plague many as we thaw out from Winter Storm Uri. Hopefully, my story and observations of our collective pipe-freezing situation will remind us…
2020 was a tough year. Whether you merely survived or managed to thrive, 2020 took more out of you than other years. Each of us has a story to tell coming out of 2020 and the endings to some have not been written yet. Most of us know someone by now who did not beat…
Encourage employees and clients to ask why and listen with respect. Challenge everything. It shows you care, forces others to listen to their own convictions, and you’ll probably learn something. The corollary to this is it only works if you listen. If you wouldn’t let your kids do it, you shouldn’t do it. Process safety…
1. What are the challenges operators are facing when trying to maintain their relief system program in a low-price oil environment? The industry faces several challenges in the current low-price climate specifically due to the uncertainty in the pandemic-driven supply and demand pressures that extend beyond normal market economics. In addition to the impact of…
