Integrated Saudi Petrochem Facility
Orders Plant Control Systems
Tokyo-based Yokogawa Electric Corp. will supply plant control systems for the Rabigh Project, which is constructing one of the world’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical complexes in Saudi Arabia. The project is under the management of the Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co. (PETRORabigh) , a joint venture between the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Aramco) and Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. (Sumitomo Chemical). Following the informal appointment of Yokogawa as the plant control system supplier for this project, the contract was formally concluded by Yokogawa Engineering Asia Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned Yokogawa subsidiary.

In the Rabigh Project, which is slated for completion in the second half of 2008, PETRORabigh is enhancing an existing oil refinery at Rabigh on the Red Sea coast and constructing a new petrochemical complex that will annually produce 1.3 million tons of ethylene and 2.4 million tons of petrochemical derivatives such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The new complex will be fully integrated with the existing refinery, which is currently undergoing an upgrade to a more sophisticated configuration

The order includes the upgrade of the control systems at the existing refinery as well as providing the control systems for the petrochemical plants being constructed. The systems include Yokogawa’s Centum CS3000 R3 integrated production control system, ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system, plant resource manager (PRM), DPharp EJA pressure/differential pressure transmitters, and OmegaLand integrated dynamic simulation environment. OmegaLand is manufactured by Yokogawa’s subsidiary, Omega Simulation Co., Ltd. Delivery is scheduled for September 2007.

Ovens Safety Seminar to Cover
Revised NPFA 86 Standard
A seminar focused on the complete revision of NFPA 86 standard for ovens and furnaces into a single comprehensive standard will be held in May. Organized by the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) has scheduled its annual safety standards and codes seminar on Monday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 1, at the Omni Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

The revised NFPA 86 standard incorporates both NFPA86C, the standard for industrial furnaces using a special processing atmosphere, and NFPA86D, the standard for industrial furnaces using vacuum as an atmosphere, into one comprehensive standard. The most significant change in this edition is to the requirements for the use of PLCs for burner management systems.

Other changes include that will be discussed during the seminar include:

• Confirmation of the removal of the IRED requirement.
• The change to safety shut-off valves (SSOVs) for mixing machines.
• Use of time delays of all types for safety devices.
• The new requirements for PLCs.
• Revised allowable voltage for safety devices.
• A clarification regarding heating chambers under purge requirements.
• The added requirements for the exception regarding SSOVs in multiple-burner systems for service proven above 1,400°F (760°C).
• The enumeration of many examples of applications governed by NFPA 86

The seminar includes a complete copy of revised NFPA 86. The registration fee is $700 for IHEA members and $750 for nonmembers.

Indirect Dryers Overview
Whether heated in tubes, drums, by paddles or cones, or on pans, indirect dryers extract moisture from the product through conduction rather than convection. What distinguishes one type from another?

Pros & Cons:
Cooling Alternatives for Plastic Extrusion
Understanding the tradeoffs between portable chillers and central systems can help extruders choose the right chiller -- or chiller combination -- for their plants.

Thermal Fluids: An Overview
No one fluid is ideal for all uses. A brief survey of three basic groups -- petroleum-based, synthetic aromatic and specialty fluids -- outlines the general characteristics of each type.

Managing Plastics Molding
Choosing the right melt and tool temperatures are vital for part quality when molding semi-crystalline engineering polymers. Only if the right temperatures are used can the molder produce good quality parts with the help of temperature control equipment.

An Alternative to PLC Based Analog Control
Applications controlled with a PLC that require accurate single- or multi-loop PID control and handling of discrete loops can add PID control modules supporting the PLC.

Combustible Gas Monitoring
Model IR5000 has high sensitivity for detecting gas leaks and operates as a hazardous situation monitor for higher gas concentrations. The open-path monitoring unit is designed for detection of hydrocarbon gases in the 0 to 5,000 ppm/m and 0 to 5 LEL/m ranges. It can be used to monitor a line of several potential leak sources such as a row of valves or pumps. Designed with outdoor installations in mind, its sensitivity allows it to detect even low gas concentrations dispersed by the combined effects of the unpredictable nature of clouds formed by gas leaks and air currents from even light winds in outdoor environments.

Biodegradable Inhibitor for Boiler Condensates
Nontoxic filming corrosion inhibitor for boiler condensate protects against corrosion caused by carbon dioxide and oxygen. Type S-10F provides corrosion inhibition in facilities where safety concerns limit the concentration of amines allowed in steam lines. It is resistant to oxidation and has high salt tolerance. Laboratory tests show film persistency and stability in a wide temperature range. According to the company, it is compatible most ingredients used in boiler and condensate line treatment programs.

Cortec Corp.
(800)426-7832

            
Condensate Drain Valve Assemblies
Used to remove water that develops in compressed air systems from changes in air temperature during the compression cycle, drain valves help protect pneumatic system receiver tanks, dryers, separators and pre-filters. Air-operated models incorporate a straight-through design with fewer components to provide good sealing and non-clog operation Solenoid-operated versions offer compact size and longer life in high-temperature, high-humidity applications.

Asco
(800) 972-2726

Condensate Measuring Sanitary Steam Trap
Model CoMBo uses the company’s ultra-sensitive bellows that maintain less than 6" of condensate backup for loads ranging from 1 to 27 lb/hr for vessels sized up to 40,000 liters. (Traditional traps use 18" of condensate backup.) It meets ASME BPE code and is offered in a 0.75" horizontal or vertical inlet with an optional thermowell for an RTD. Other features of the sanitary steam trap include outlet sizes ranging from 0.75 to 1.5" and ability to handle pressures to 40 psig.

Nicholson Steam Trap
(800) 210-1300

500°F Electric Walk-In Oven
Incoloy-sheathed tubular elements provide 104 kW of heat to the work space, which measures 108 x 144 x 84". No. 877 also uses a 17,500 cfm, 30-hp recirculating blower to provides combination airflow to the workload. Other features include aluminized steel interior and exterior; 4" insulated, heavy-duty walls; high-temperature, stainless steel spring-insert door gaskets; brushed stainless steel control panel face; and rear-mounted heat chamber. Oven controls include a digital programming temperature controller and a manual reset excess temperature controller with separate heating element control contactors.

Grieve Corp.
(847) 546-8225

Gas Detector for Flammable Environments
Series 3000 XPIS (explosionproof, intrinsically safe) utilizes existing two-wire systems to monitor for toxic and oxygen gas hazards in potentially flammable environments. The device’s intrinsic safety (IS) and explosionproof hazardous area approvals allow it to be wired beside other field wiring without IS certification. Its transmitter/sensor connection allows the hot swap of sensors without powering down the device. The magnetic user interface permits configuration and calibration without requiring the enclosure be opened or a hot work permit be obtained. Currently available gas sensors include oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, ammonia and sulfur dioxide. Planned future sensors include detectors for nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Honeywell Analytics
(800) 538-0363