Cover image for Problem solving for process operators and specialists
Title:
Problem solving for process operators and specialists
Personal Author:
Publication Information:
New Jersey : AIChE ; Hoboken, NJ : Wiley, 2011
Physical Description:
xiii, 327 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
ISBN:
9780470627747

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30000010252172 TP168 B66 2011 Open Access Book Book
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Summary

Summary

This book provides methods to train process operators to solve challenging problems. The book is split into two parts. The first part consists of two parts; first developing a daily monitoring system and second providing a structured 5 step problem solving approach that combines cause and effect problem solving thinking with the formulation of theoretically correct hypotheses. The 5 step approach emphasizes the classical problem solving approach (defining the sequence of events) with the addition of the steps of formulating a theoretically correct working hypothesis, providing a means to test the hypothesis, and providing a foolproof means to eliminate the problem. The initial part of the book focuses on defining the problem that must be solved and obtaining the location, time and quantity based specifications of the problem. This part of the book also presents techniques to find and define problems at an early point before they progress to the critical level.

The second part of the book deals with the utilization of fundamental chemical engineering skills to develop a technically correct working hypothesis that is the key to successful problem solving. The primary emphasis is on simple pragmatic calculation techniques that are theoretically correct. It is believed that any operator can perform these calculations if he is provided the correct prototype. Throughout the book, the theory behind each pragmatic calculation technique is explained in understandable terms prior to presenting the author's approach. These techniques have been developed by the author in 50+ years of industrial experience. The book includes many sample problems and examples of real world problem solving. Using these techniques, theoretically correct working hypotheses can be developed in an expedient fashion.


Author Notes

Joseph M. Bonem has had a highly productive five-decade career that includes over three decades in polymer manufacturing and process development with Exxon Chemical as well as fourteen years in consulting. He has taught numerous short courses in plant problem solving and has extensive experience working abroad.


Table of Contents

Prefacep. ix
1 Initial Considerationsp. 1
2 Limitations to Plant Problem Solvingp. 9
3 Successful Plant Problem Solvingp. 15
4 Examples of Plant Problem Solvingp. 39
5 Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering for Process Operatorsp. 59
6 Development of Working Hypothesesp. 83
7 Application to Prime Moversp. 93
8 Application to Plate Processesp. 147
9 Application to Kinetically Limited Processesp. 167
10 Application to Unsteady Statep. 197
11 Verification of Process Instrumentation Datap. 219
12 Successful Plant Testsp. 241
13 Utilization of Manual Computation Techniquesp. 261
14 Putting It All Togetherp. 261
15 A Final Notep. 315
Appendix: Conversion Factorsp. 317
Referencesp. 319
Indexp. 321