Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable

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Eastern Gas
Compression Roundtable

EGCR News

Technical Tuesday: Cracked Up

Technical Tuesday

While this may look like a psychedelic machine shop, it is actually a tried and true method to evaluate a part for cracks. Every use for a black light is pretty cool. Want to know more about non-destructive test methods for oil and gas equipment? Visit us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 7-9, 2024 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Tracing a crack using a black light

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Technical Tuesday: Valve Failure

Technical Tuesday

What does “about to have a come apart” actually mean? This failure is unique in that there were 2 contributing factors — in the highlighted circles, notice the visible thread width difference in red. Also, pay attention to the broken bolts in yellow. This failure was caused by overtightening of the bolt in red during installation. On the night of the failure, temperatures dropped to “once in a decade” kind of lows. The additional strain from overtightening and thermal contraction overwhelmed the smaller bolts in yellow. The result looks like Popeye’s spinach can. Want to learn about more failures and how to prevent them? Visit us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 7-9, 2024 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

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Technical Tuesday: Fire Detection

Technical Tuesday

“It’s getting hot in here…” There are many ways to detect a fire in a compressor building, but the ones that can be found on the mountain tops of West Virginia win awards for ingenuity. This application uses a sprinkler head; but instead of water, it is hooked to an air-line that is pressure monitored by the panel. If a fire ignites and trips the sprinkler device, the panel senses the loss of air pressure and commences the emergency shutdown process. Want to meet the vendors and experts of fire detection? Visit us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 7-9, 2024 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Fire suppression

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Technical Tuesday: No Shortcuts

Technical Tuesday

Close enough for government work? Not in our industry. How do you definitively know the position of a compressor device? Does your panel use automation to detect an issue, or does it use instrumentation like in the photo? There are many ways to get the job done — let us tell you about a few of them. Visit us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Prox sensor for pocket indication

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Technical Tuesday: Reducing Unplanned Outages

Technical Tuesday

Duct tape, baler wire, and hose clamps? How often have you seen a temporary “just to get running” measure become the permanent installation? Do you see anything wrong with this picture? Installations like this can lead to reliability issues, inaccurate data sampling, and deviation from hazardous environment classifications. Want to learn more about our industry’s tendency to set traps for itself in the name of reducing unplanned outages? Visit us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Sensor mounting

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2023 Keynote Speaker

Bill Watson, General Manager
Keynote Address, May 2

Bill Watson, General Manager of Shell Polymers

Shell Polymers, Monaca
The EGCR is proud to announce the 2023 Keynote Speaker, Bill Watson, General Manager, Shell Polymers, Monaca. Join Bill as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of building the first world-scale Polymers plant in the Northeast.

Bill is the General Manager of the Shell Polymers Monaca site. He joined Shell in 1991 after finishing a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla. Bill grew up in the Midwest of the United States (Kansas City, Missouri) and started his career with Shell at Westhollow as a process development engineer in Shell’s Epoxy Resins business. Since that time, he has worked at several Manufacturing locations in Texas (Deer Park and Port Arthur), Louisiana (Norco), England (Stanlow), Illinois (Argo) and now Pennsylvania. He has also worked in regional and global Downstream roles in Process Safety, where he led the roll out of the Process Safety Fundamentals. His experience includes technical roles, operations and startup management, HSSE and production and technology leadership positions. 
 
Bill brings a collaborative, intent based leadership style along with a demonstrated track record of developing people and driving sustainable results improvement. Bill brings his strong experience and demonstrated care for people to support Shell Polymers journey in becoming the unrivaled producer of polyethylene.

Bill is married to his spouse of 29 years and they have two sons, both of whom live in Texas. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with family, exercising and spending time outdoors.

Shell Polymers, Monaca, PA

Technical Tuesday: Liquid Smoke

Technical Tuesday

“The smoke got out of it…” We have all worked with an electrician that used that phrase to describe a failed part. Keep a bottle of this handy to present to him during such times of need. The electrician will not be amused, but others will! Want to learn more humorous stories from the past, as well as tips that are actually helpful? Visit us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

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Technical Tuesday: Oil Filter Change

Technical Tuesday

“It’s just an oil filter change; I have been doing that my whole life…” This is one of those moments that experience may not translate. Oil cleanliness is extremely important to our equipment. The techniques, methods, and steps technicians use to change filters may be different even from unit to unit at the same station. Great care should be used to protect the integrity of the clean side of the filter pot to prevent carnage like is shown these photos. Want to know more about oil, filters, filter housings, oil flushes, and more? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Technical Tuesday: Oil Filter Change
Technical Tuesday: Oil Filter Change

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Technical Tuesday: Tight, but not too tight.

Technical Tuesday

When the job calls for a torque wrench, but the 1” impact is handy… This photo shows failed threads on a bolt caused by over-tightening which can — and usually does — lead to a failure with varying degrees of damage based on what the fastener was fastening. Want to learn more about proper torquing techniques, bolt stretch, material capabilities, tooling, etc.? Come see us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Failed threads on a bolt

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Technical Tuesday: Electric Gremlins

Technical Tuesday

Do you have an electric gremlin residing in one of your units? The problems are often traced back to grounding. These photos show arcing between the crankshaft and bearing. Want to know what to look for and where to find it? Join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh to learn more. 

Have a tip? Do you have a technical tip to share? Submit your tip, along with an associated image and we may include it in our Technical Tuesday social media posts, blog posts and emails.