Maximizing An Ethylene Plant's Turbomachinery Reliability.

LecturePg. 85-90The ethylene plant in DuPont's major petrochemical complex in Orange, Texas was designed and built in the late 1960s, using the latest proven technology of that period. From plant startup in 1967 to 1981, there were eighteen ethylene plant shutdowns caused by problems associated with the large compressors and turbines. After two very long outages which occurred in 1980 and 1981, an extensive turbomachinery upgrading program was undertaken to improve utility. This presentation sets forth reasons for the reliability problems experienced through 1981 and illustrates the program undertaken to increase equipment utility. This program has allowed the ethylene plant to run from 1981 to 1989 with only one turbomachinery related shutdown