PROCESS PLANT EQUIPMENT: Operation, Control and ReliabilityMichael Holloway, Chikezie Nwaoha, and Oliver A. Onyewuenyi, (Editors). (October 2012).John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey, 736 pages, £100, ISBN 13: 9781118022641, ISBN 10: 1118022645http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118022645,descCd-description.htmlThe nature of human beings has been to control the immediate environment for safety and comfort. Building shelter, finding food and water, and staying warm and dry are the reasons for our success. None of this would or could be possible if we did not develop a means to communicate and retain information. Consider the fact that humans do not possess great physical strength or agility compared to other animals or the ability to withstand harsh environments without the use of an extension of our bodies (clothing and shelter). We truly rely on each other’sexperiences to help us accommodate to what the world throws at us. This book is an extension of just that—a means by which humans can share ideas and experiences in order to live our lives more comfortably. From petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and various chemicals and food products, to energy and power production, processing plants produce products essential to our survival. Without these plants we would not have the ability to get much older than our prehistoric ancestors. Developing the competence to run these plants efficiently, reliably, safely, and profitably is therefore a prime human objective.From energy to pharmaceuticals to food, the world depends on processing plants to manufacture the products that enable people to survive and flourish. With this book as their guide, readers have the information and practical guidelines needed to select, operate, maintain, control, and troubleshoot process plant equipment so that it is efficient, cost-effective, and reliable throughout its lifetime. Following the authors' careful explanations and instructions, readers will find that they are better able to reduce downtime and unscheduled shutdowns, streamline operations, and maximize the service life of processing equipment.The effort that proceeds over the next several hundred pages is nothing short of a miracle! Rarely can you get one or two people to commit to such a monumental project. This particular undertaking has herded over thirty (yes, thirty!) of the world’s top academic and engineers to embark on a project that is encyclopedic in nature. Talented folks from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South America and North America have each put forth the effort to take on a topical chapter in order to build this work, all intended to provide readers with the information that will lead them to understand and implement best practices in process plant equipment operations, reliability, and control.PROCESS PLANT EQUIPMENT: Operation, Control and Reliability is divided into three sections:Section One: Process Equipment Operations section covers chapters on key equipment as Valves (Prof. Shoukat Choudhury, Chikezie Nwaoha and Sharad Vishwasrao), Pumps (Craig Redmond, PE), Pipes (Shaohui J.I.A), Cooling Towers (Dr. Zaki Yamani Zakaria andChikezie Nwaoha), Filters and Membranes (Flora (F) Tong and Chikezie Nwaoha), Sealing Devices (Matt Tones, PE and Jim Drago, PE), Steam Traps (Engr. Jacob E. Uche and ChikezieNwaoha), Process Compressors (Prof. N. Sitaram and Chikezie Nwaoha), Conveyors (Okenna Obi-Njoku), Storage Tanks (Dr. Marcelo Ferrara and Chikezie Nwaoha), Mixers (Jayesh Ramesh Tekchandaney), and Boilers (Celestine C. G. Nwankwo).Section Two: Process Plant Reliability section sets forth a variety of tested and proven tools and methods to assess and ensure the reliability and mechanical integrity of process equipment. It comprised chapters on Engineering Economics for Chemical Processes (Alberto R. Betancourt-Torcat, Prof. Luis. Ricardez-Sandoval and Prof. Ali Elkamel), Process Component Function and Performance Criteria (Prof. Robert Free), Failure Analysis and Interpretation of Components (Michael Holloway), Mechanical Integrity of Process Vessels and Piping (Dr. Oliver A. Onyewuenyi, PE), Design of Pressure Vessels and Piping (Prof. Maher Younan), and Process Safety in Chemical Processes (Prof. Jelenka Stefanovic Savkovic).Section Three: Process Measurement, Control, and Modeling section examine chapters on flow meters (Greg Livelli, PE and Chikezie Nwaoha), Process Control (John A. Shaw, PE), and Process Modeling and Simulation (Dr. Mathew Chidiebere Aneke).Throughout the book, numerous photos and diagrams illustrate the operation and control of key process equipment. There are also case studies demonstrating how actual process plants have implemented the tools and techniques discussed in the book. At the end of each chapter, an extensive list of references enables readers to explore each individual topic in greater depth.The book incorporates the latest information, best practices, and trends. The sound foundations of engineering principles for a process facility provided in this book have solid roots from which the tree of productivity is constantly bearing fruit.In summary, this text offers students, process engineers, and plant managers the expertise and technical support needed to streamline and optimize the operation of process plant equipment, from its initial selection to operations to troubleshooting.
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