Browsing by Subject "Petrochemical"
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Item Extension of activity analysis methodology to maintenance, shutdown, and turnarounds in petrochemical facilities(2016-08) Shounak, Goodidar Hemmanoor Arjun; Caldas, Carlos H.; Borcherding, John DStudies show that construction productivity has been stagnant for decades. Interestingly, other industries like manufacturing, automobile and agriculture have witnessed a steep increase in productivity, nearly twice, over the same period of time. It has been the norm for many continuous improvement methods, employed by these industries, to claim credit for this trend. While inadequacies in a range of parameters like management practices, organizational behavior, contractual differences, and other planning functions affect poor productivity, the first step towards any improvement program is to measure the existing condition. The importance of measuring and improving productivity has become increasingly critical and significant with raging project capital costs and complexity, especially in the petroleum industry. This research focusses on providing a productivity language for petrochemical owners and contractors. The developed methodology helps them to communicate improvement strategies with each other and within their organization beyond construction leading into maintenance and shutdown turnarounds. Activity Analysis is a productivity assessment and improvement method developed by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) in 2010. This thesis describes the adaptation of activity analysis methodology that was developed to measure productivity indicators at petrochemical facilities on construction, maintenance and shutdown turnaround activities between 2015 and 2016. It also provides an overview on the activity analysis software developed for data collection, which is a byproduct of this research. This study also provides a summary of expected trends and challenges in petrochemical industries, and strategies that could be implemented to enhance the direct work rate in both construction and maintenance environment.Item Impact of natural gas and natural gas liquids on chemical manufacturing in the United States(2016-05) DeRosa, Sean Edward; Allen, David T.; Edgar, Thomas F; Baldea, Michael; Webber, Michael E; Olmstead, Sheila MNatural gas and natural gas liquids production in the United States has increased dramatically since 2005, due primarily to recent advancements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. As raw materials for chemical production, the increased availability, at low cost, of these materials has the potential to change the structure of the United States chemical manufacturing industry. Industry-wide modeling, coupled with region-specific analysis, was used to map potential changes in chemical manufacturing as natural gas liquids continue to expand their influence in the chemical manufacturing industry. A network model was used to analyze technology development and to evaluate trends in the industry based on material flows throughout supply chains. Agent-based modeling and simulation was used for analysis of individual chemical markets and to determine the viability of emerging markets. The network model was used to quantify how downstream chemical supply chains respond to changes in natural gas and natural gas liquid prices. The model was also used to identify new reaction pathways that may become viable as the industry evolves and how those new pathways will impact costs and utility consumption in the system of chemical manufacturing technologies. Using the Four Corners region as a case study, an analytic process was developed and implemented to evaluate greenfield manufacturing based on regional feedstock availability and global chemical markets. Conceptual development of a comprehensive model of the natural gas liquids industry was also completed to map the challenges in developing chemical manufacturing system models that will include the impacts of exports, midstream infrastructure, supply, and new chemical demand.Item Training trends in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries(2014-05) Mathis, Susanne Taylor; Resta, Paul E.This purpose of this report is to gain insight into the current training trends for training new operations personnel within the oil and gas and petrochemical industries in the United States. Companies in these industries face an increasing number of training challenges presented by an array of factors including: regulatory compliance mandates, an aging workforce, training costs and the need to maintain or improve production rates while decreasing safety and environmental incidents. In response to these challenges Learning and Development (L&D) leaders and practitioners in these industries must provide sound instructional strategies that meet the learning needs of their employees while meeting the requirements of their employers and regulatory requirements. This report focuses on the design and delivery tools and methods, the training management tools, and the challenges faced by training professionals in this industry, including the gaps and areas of greatest training concern. The study also investigates the future plans to accommodate training methods and tools used to address younger employees.