Articles and Technical Papers

Strategies for Infrastructure Reliability

Hydrocarbon Engineering, September 2008

Being proactive in the understanding of your refineries infrastructure needs may not make you money, but it sure can improve safety and save you money.

The Construction Specifier, September 2008

Used in large power generation plants, hyperbolic natural draft cooling towers are extremely susceptible to corrosion-induced deterioration. Due to the unique water cooling process, practically all surfaces in the basin are subject to “immersion” conditions. The columns and lintels are in a “splash zone” environment subject to intermittent wet and dry conditions. Construction of new hyperbolic natural draft cooling towers, however, represents a large capital investment so maintaining existing towers is crucial.

Compressor Tech Two, August 2008

Compressor foundations, some more than 50 years old, are often neglected. However, they need vital maintenance if they are to perform satisfactorily.

Corrosion - Hidden in Plain Sight

Hydrocarbon Engineering, March 2008

Besides the catastrophic consequences associated with manmade (i.e., fire and explosions) as well natural (i.e., tornadoes and hurricanes) disasters, long-term degradation of the infrastructure should be anticipated and scheduled maintenance planned well in advance to keep costs low and infrastructure dependability high.

Power Engineering Magazine, November 2007

As the supply source for operations in power generating plants, water intake structures serve an important function. Because of the constant exposure to water - whether fresh, brackish or marine - these intake structures are extremely susceptible to corrosion-induced deterioration. However, with an understanding of the root cause for corrosion-induced concrete deterioration and the technologies available to address it, plant and maintenance professionals can adopt the proper mechanisms and rehabilitation strategies.

Maintenance Crucial for Brick Liners

Masonry Construction, April 2007

Many structures built in the 1970s through the mid-1980s were equipped with free-standing, acid-resistant brick linings. Although some of these independent brick-lined chimneys operate dry and encounter minimal problems, many work downstream of old-generation wet FGD systems still using bypassed flue gas for reheat.

Bottoms Up

Pumps & Systems, March 2007

Precast polymer concrete pump foundation systems provide numerous advantages over conventional means, including savings in installation costs, improved reliability and superior corrosion resistance for pumps in corrosive service.

Structural Healing

Hydrocarbon Engineering, February 2007

Industrial environments differ markedly from the commercial, public, transportation and residential markets by the sheer aggressive nature of their service. A commitment to continuous improvement often results in the need for new facilities or modifications to the existing facility.

Adhesives & Sealants Industry, August 2006

It isn’t enough for maintenance professionals today to simply keep up their facilities. In addition to meeting the demands new loads and change of use places on a facility, industrial building owners and educational institutions are pressured to utilize environmentally-friendly solutions that still offer extreme durability.

Why Construction Safety is Important

Facilities Manager, July/August 2006

Today’s owners face a variety of risks when they undertake a construction project. Not only must owners be concerned with potential risks to their employees, tenants, or property, but they must also be concerned about the risks that the contractor bears.

Blast Mitigation of Concrete Structures

The Construction Specifier, March 2006

Although recent concerns about terrorism have generated a wider knowledge of the consequences of bombing, the majority of public, federal, and corporate buildings still has minimal blast-resistance capacities and may not be able to survive the destructive effects of such attacks.

Corrosion Control (PDF)

Concrete Repair Bulletin, Sept/Oct 2005

According to a recently completed study sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), NACE International, and mandated by Congress in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), corrosion of metals costs the United States in excess of $276 billion per year.

Solid Cures for Concrete Floor Problems

Plant Services, May 2005

Floor slabs must withstand tough conditions such as impact and abrasion from heavy, moving traffic and static loads, and ideally, the floor must be flat, in proper alignment and in good shape. Unfortunately, because of initial construction techniques, or uses and loads that differ from the original design, slab-on-grade floors can develop problems that often result in costly delays or downtime.

The Construction Specifier, April 2005

Chimneys begin to deteriorate exponentially from the moment they are built, even before being put into service. While signs are often hidden during the structure's early years, decline accelerates rapidly and often catches building owners and facility managers off-guard.

Plant Engineering, March 1, 2005

A basic understanding of what concrete is, the lessons learned throughout its centuries of use, and how to strengthen and repair a concrete building is critical for maintaining safety and durability. This fundamental knowledge will provide the foundation for recognizing when your facility is in need of repair.

InMFG, February 2005

For more than 40 years, various forms of polymer based flooring systems have been successfully applied to concrete surfaces. These systems have become mainstream forms of protection against aggressive chemicals, abrasion and impact while also offering an appealing aesthetic appearance.

Concrete International, January 2005

Natural-draft hyperbolic cooling towers are extremely susceptible to corrosion-induced deterioration. Exposure conditions, and the resulting deterioration, vary depending on a host of factors.

Concrete Products, September, 2004

A proprietary innovation in blast-resistance is based on a familiar technology. Steel-belted radial tires incorporate the same wire metallurgy as Hardwire, a family of high-tensile-steel reinforcement products said by the manufacturer to have been successfully implemented as blast-resistance and blast-mitigation retrofit solutions on a variety of structures and infrastructure components.

Power Magazine, July/August 2004

Generally, natural-draft (that is, hyperbolic) cooling towers are less expensive to operate and maintain than their mechanical-draft cousins. However, hyperbolics- which are made of concrete- are vulnerable to corrosion-induced physical damage that can be very costly to repair.

Structural Engineer, June 2004

Although radial bricks are no longer used to construct industrial chimneys, regular maintenance and repair are necessary for continued operations.

Fire Hazard

Hydrocarbon Engineering, January 2004

In petrochemical facilities, fires when they occur, develop quickly into "pool fires", rapidly reaching 2,000oF (1,100oC) in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, unprotected structural steel members lose about ½ their strength at 1,000oF (538oC) and rapidly loses more strength as the temperature rises.

Concrete International, January 2004

In recent years, durability problems, poor performance, and, most of all, repair failures have tarnished the public's image of concrete. Repair failures and endless "repair of repairs" make a substantial contribution to the current perception of concrete.

Power Engineering Magazine, October 2003

Like many power plants constructed in the early 1970s, Louisville Gas & Electric's (LG&E) 2,000 MW Mill Creek coal-fired power plant was required to add a wet scrubbing systems to comply with EPA pollution control guidelines. As part of the wet scrubber installation a re-heater system was also installed.

Solutions! Magazine, August 2003

Installing and maintaining pump foundations and base plates have always posed challenges to plant maintenance and construction personnel in the demanding pulp and paper mill environment.

Hydrocarbon Asia, July/August 2003

Managers of coking units face serious challenges both in controlling day-to-day processes and maintaining the structural integrity of their coking units. Deterioration and damage to concrete support structures can have a severe and costly impact on coking operations.

Keeping Chimneys Standing Tall

BIC Alliance, June/July 2003

Chimney maintenance can be one of the most challenging of plant MRO activities. Their height, form, and functions make them quite unique from other structures.

World Refining, April 2003

In addition to the challenges of controlling day-to-day process operations, managers of coking units also face the equally critical issue of maintaining the structural integrity of the concrete support structures. It should come as no surprise that deterioration and damage to concrete support structures can have a severe and costly impact on coking operations, often leading to unforeseen and costly shutdowns.

PublicWorks Magazine, January 2003

The first-ever on-site application of FRP strengthening technology to water pipelines enabled the Providence Water Supply Board to repair rather than replace 50-year-old pipes in its aqueduct system.

Thermal Effects on Concrete Behavior

BIC Alliance, November, 2002

Peter Emmons examines the volume changes in concrete due to temperature change.

Plant Services, October 09, 2002

Across the nation, chimneys and stacks rise from industrial facilities like monuments to American industry. But unlike monuments, they are designed to last the life of the plants they serve, usually 25 to 30 years.

World Refining, May 2002

A misconception held throughout the industrial manufacturer sector is that "concrete is forever," therefore making it maintenance-free. For all of its seeming permanence, concrete comes under attack from both natural and man-made forces almost from the time it is first placed and finished.

Challenging Environment to Concrete

BIC Newsmagazine, May 2002

Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU) operations can be the most challenging environment to refinery concrete infrastructure. One of the most aggressive exposure environments for concrete can be found in SRUs.

Hydrocarbon Processing, August 2001

Corrosion-resistant polymer concrete technology provides better alternatives to conventional pump support systems in refining, petrochemical, and pulp and paper facilities.

World Refining, April 2001

Part 1 of a two-part series: Defined in the simplest possible terms, successful concrete repair integrates new materials with existing materials to form a composite structure that can withstand environmental conditions and operational processes, while at the same time providing extended service life.

World Refining, April 2001

Part 2 of a two-part series: For industrial plants, concrete repair activities pose challenges that are quite different from those encountered in new concrete construction.