Head-flange O-rings on Barrel Type Centrifugal Compressor Units at RasGas: Issues & Resolutions

Case StudyRasGas is operating many centrifugal compressors from different major OEM’s. Of an OEM product-line, twenty-four (24) centrifugal compressors with a total rated power of roughly ~ 900 Mega-watt are in operation, out of which 16 are barrel type (BCL). Driven by an end-cover or Head-Flange (HF) O-ring failure during early months of operation, indicated via gas leak in to atmosphere, a series of actions were taken due to serious uncertainties of the HF O-rings reliability, for both the units already in operations and the ones under Pre-Mechanical Completion. Actions included materials properties, tests data, selection (e.g. spliced versus single piece) and manufacturing processes and O-ring makers and supplier’s traceability. A comprehensive Risk Assessment led by Project Team and supported by EM experts was carried-out to determine whether HF O-rings already installed in similar unit shall be replaced right away prior to putting it in to full operation. Test schedule to accept or reject assembled HF at site was defined. Small modifications for continues monitoring of the HF O-rings during operation was also established. This Case Study is intended to share some lessons of technical aspects reviewed including selection processes. Site challenges to replace the HF O-rings for such barrel type centrifugal compressors and the site test schedule are also covered

Review on distribution network optimization under uncertainty

With the increase of renewable energy in electricity generation and increased engagement from demand sides, distribution network planning and operation face great challenges in the provision of stable, secure and dedicated service under a high level of uncertainty in network behaviors. Distribution network planning and operation, at the same time, also benefit from the changes of current and future distribution networks in terms of the availability of increased resources, diversity, smartness, controllability and flexibility of the distribution networks. This paper reviews the critical optimization problems faced by distribution planning and operation, including how to cope with these changes, how to integrate an optimization process in a problem-solving framework to efficiently search for optimal strategy and how to optimize sources and flexibilities properly in order to achieve cost-effective operation and provide quality of services as required, among other factors. This paper also discusses the approaches to reduce the heavy computation load when solving large-scale network optimization problems, for instance by integrating the prior knowledge of network configuration in optimization search space. A number of optimization techniques have been reviewed and discussed in the paper. This paper also discusses the changes, challenges and opportunities in future distribution networks, analyzes the possible problems that will be faced by future network planning and operations and discusses the potential strategies to solve these optimization problems

METS2 Discussion Group 8

Discussion Grou

Gas Turbine Operation and Maintenance

Discussion Grou

Head-flange O-rings on Barrel Type Centrifugal Compressor Units at RasGas: Issues & Resolutions

Case StudyRasGas is operating many centrifugal compressors from different major OEM’s. Of an OEM product-line, twenty-four (24) centrifugal compressors with a total rated power of roughly ~ 900 Mega-watt are in operation, out of which 16 are barrel type (BCL). Driven by an end-cover or Head-Flange (HF) O-ring failure during early months of operation, indicated via gas leak in to atmosphere, a series of actions were taken due to serious uncertainties of the HF O-rings reliability, for both the units already in operations and the ones under Pre-Mechanical Completion. Actions included materials properties, tests data, selection (e.g. spliced versus single piece) and manufacturing processes and O-ring makers and supplier’s traceability. A comprehensive Risk Assessment led by Project Team and supported by EM experts was carried-out to determine whether HF O-rings already installed in similar unit shall be replaced right away prior to putting it in to full operation. Test schedule to accept or reject assembled HF at site was defined. Small modifications for continues monitoring of the HF O-rings during operation was also established. This Case Study is intended to share some lessons of technical aspects reviewed including selection processes. Site challenges to replace the HF O-rings for such barrel type centrifugal compressors and the site test schedule are also covered

METS2 Discussion Group 8

Discussion Grou

Does the Identification of a Minimum Number of Cases Correlate With Better Adherence to International Guidelines Regarding the Treatment of Penile Cancer? Survey Results of the European PROspective Penile Cancer Study (E-PROPS)

Background: Penile cancer represents a rare malignant disease, whereby a small caseload is associated with the risk of inadequate treatment expertise. Thus, we hypothesized that strict guideline adherence might be considered a potential surrogate for treatment quality. This study investigated the influence of the annual hospital caseload on guideline adherence regarding treatment recommendations for penile cancer. Methods: In a 2018 survey study, 681 urologists from 45 hospitals in four European countries were queried about six hypothetical case scenarios (CS): local treatment of the primary tumor pTis (CS1) and pT1b (CS2); lymph node surgery inguinal (CS3) and pelvic (CS4); and chemotherapy neoadjuvant (CS5) and adjuvant (CS6). Only the responses from 206 head and senior physicians, as decision makers, were evaluated. The answers were assessed based on the applicable European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines regarding their correctness. The real hospital caseload was analyzed based on multivariate logistic regression models regarding its effect on guideline adherence. Results: The median annual hospital caseload was 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 3–9). Recommendations for CS1–6 were correct in 79%, 66%, 39%, 27%, 28%, and 28%, respectively. The probability of a guideline-adherent recommendation increased with each patient treated per year in a clinic for CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS6 by 16%, 7.8%, 7.2%, and 9.5%, respectively (each p < 0.05); CS4 and CS5 were not influenced by caseload. A caseload threshold with a higher guideline adherence for all endpoints could not be perceived. The type of hospital care (academic vs. non-academic) did not affect guideline adherence in any scenario. Conclusions: Guideline adherence for most treatment recommendations increases with growing annual penile cancer caseload. Thus, the results of our study call for a stronger centralization of diagnosis and treatment strategies regarding penile cancer

Harmonics In Power Systems: Their Causes, Effects And Mitigation

Harmonics have existed in power systems for many years. However, the issue has recently received added significance by the simultaneous setting of two trends: the electric utility&apos;s increased use of capacitor banks attempting an improved power factor, and the industry&apos;s widespread application of power-electronic converters seeking higher system reliability and efficiency. This paper provides a discussion of the issue of harmonics in electric power systems. Their origins, effects and methods of reduction are reviewed providing a quantitative analysis when possible. Pertinent equations are developed. I. INTRODUCTION E LECTRIC utilities are always concerned about having a high power factor which has several advantages. This is, however, accompanied by the industry&apos;s increasing use of variable speed drives and electronic equipment which, as sources of undesirable phenomena, can interact with power factor correction capacitor banks to result in voltage and current amplification. The stee..