Maintenance is an integral part of refining and petrochemical
plant operations. Without a reliable maintenance program, crucial equipment
cannot operate optimally or, in a worse case, could break down, leading to unit
downtime or even a safety issue.
Due to the essential nature of process equipment, maintenance
costs are a necessary expenditure. According to Hydrocarbon Processing’s HPI
Market Data 2023 report, global maintenance expenditures are forecast to
reach nearly $80 B this year. This cost helps to ensure that unit equipment is
working efficiently and that operations are obtaining the most out of each production
process.
Since maintenance and reliability are crucial topics within
the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI), this issue’s Special Focus is
devoted specifically to new techniques, technologies and advancements in
maintaining equipment and ensuring unit uptime. These include new digital
technologies to monitor equipment such as pumps and compressors, advancements in
predictive maintenance, using artificial intelligence for asset performance, and
other solutions and case studies that detail how HPI professionals are
advancing plant maintenance and equipment reliability.
As technologies evolve, HPI professionals are adapting to new solutions to optimize operations. This is true not only with new processing technologies, but also with software, solutions, services and other means to monitor, predict, diagnose and fix equipment. These solutions help refining and petrochemical plant personnel boost efficiency and optimize operations. HP