Understanding Process Equipment for Operators and Engineers

Understanding Process Equipment for Operators and Engineers explains how process equipment functions. As problems often arise in plants that must be solved by unit engineers, this book offers successful solutions and methods for their implementation. The concepts explained are based on Norm Lieberman’s personal, hands-on experience. Like you, Norm attended a university and was exposed to technical seminars which did not always provide the needed solutions. In this text, you will learn the functioning of a variety of equipment types, including Fired Heater Draft, Centrifugal Pump Head, Distillation Tray Efficiency, Vacuum Jets, Recip Compressors, Steam Turbines, Thermosyphon Circulation Reboilers and Air Cooler.

Includes methods and procedures on how to make field measurementsOutlines fire heater principles and operation and how they develop draftDescribes distillation column operation and methods to increase their efficiencyIncludes computer modeling and provides use case examples

1. Enthalpy vs. Entropy 2. Water Hammer in Piping Systems 3. Hydraulic Surge 4. Fired Heater Draft and Excess O2 5. Distillation Tray Efficiency 6. Distillation Tray Capacity 7. Pressure Drop in Pipes – Friction Losses 8. Thermosyphon Circulation in Reboilers 9. NPSH in Pumps – Starting and Running 10. Steam Turbines and Hand Valves 11. Heat Exchangers and Fouling 12. Centrifugal Compressors and Surge 13. Reciprocating Compressor Efficiency 14. Positive Feedback Loops 15. Control Valve Performance 16. Centrifugal Pump Seals 17. Making Field Measurements 18. How to Make a Technical Presentation