(62a) Now, Later, Never?

CPI (Chemical Processing Industry) trends continue to shift more capital work into traditional maintenance turnarounds. These projects include environmental, profit improvement, reliability, and safety projects.

Occasions can arise that make it impossible for complete project installation during a normal turnaround window. In many cases, even an extended turnaround duration would fail to get a project installed.

The best path forward for some projects uses ‘after turnaround’ installation and startup of some equipment. This creates engineering and operating complexity. Three types of questions arise from this approach;

Now

What can be installed at the turnaround?

What must be installed at the turnaround and how to do it?

Later

What must be installed later and how?

Never

What can be postponed and at what cost?

What needs to be done to make the unit operate to the next turnaround if some or all of the later items are not installed?

Subjects covered include;

Types of equipment that normally require a shutdown to install.

Early ordering to expedite equipment

Situations that require a shutdown to install.

Reasons equipment might need to be installed later.

Safety and installation requirements for later equipment installation.

Engineering approaches for staged projects

Hazop

Design analysis and optimization

Economic analysis

Operations and procedures for staged projects

Elements from three projects illustrate key points.