Pressure Systems Engineering Inc.2605 Eastburn CenterNewark, DE 19711 PSE PIPELINE

Summer 2007 Page 1

Agitator Section

Relief Valve/Rupture Disk

PSE CELEBRATES 15TH YEARWith this issue of the PSE newsletter,

PSE enters our 15th year as an engineeringfirm.

PSE expertise is well established forconsulting on process-mechanical design,analysis and specification of processequipment and piping systems.

In addition to our equipment design expertise, PSEhas completed the overall engineering and managementof several multi-discipline projects, each ranging from$300K to $8.5M (TIC). Such projects are accomplishedby a matrix team approach through our alliance withother specialty engineering firms to provide multi-discipline detailed design engineering.

PSE continues to emphasize attention to detail,technical correctness, and proper documentation.

We appreciate the opportunities given by our clientsfor PSE to prove our engineering capabilities.

William E. Short II, Ph.D., P.E.Fellow ASMEPresident/Principal Engineer

PROCESS REACTOR MODIFICATIONSLEAD TO IMPROVED PRODUCTION

At the heart of everychemical process, there is a keyequipment item, the chemicalprocess reactor. These reactorsare vertical or horizontalpressure vessels. Typically, thereactors have an external jacketand are fitted with an agitator.Most often, such existingprocess reactors were designed

as ASME Section VIII Div. 1 vessels for static pressure-temperature conditions, but the reactors actuallyexperience cyclic thermal-pressure operation.

PSE has evaluated many existing process reactors todetermine the replacement vs. refurbish economics.Most of these reactors have been in service for 20 yearsor more. In all cases, whether replaced or refurbished,PSE recommended design improvements that were

(continued on page 2)

PRESSURE-RELIEF DEVICE SIZINGVERIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION

By statute, pressure containingequipment and piping systems must beprotected from excessive overpressure.For low pressure tanks and equipment,pressure-vacuum conservation vents areused; and for vessels and piping above15 psig, pressure-relief valves and/orrupture disks are used.

In his studies, Mr. Short shows that a significantnumber of pressure-relief devices presently installed inmany existing production facilities likely are undersized.This presents serious potential danger to the facility andpersonnel, the environment, and public safety.From his published data, Mr. Short concludes that thefire exposure case governs 50% or less of the time, andhe recommends seven relief contingencies that alwaysshould be considered when sizing relief devices. A copyof Mr. Short's February 2006 paper on this topicpublished in the ASME Journal of Pressure VesselTechnology can be requested on the PSE website.Copies of his related papers cited in the Journal paperalso can be requested.

SHORT ELECTED TO BOARD ONASME CODES AND STANDARDS

The ASME Board on Pressure Technology Codesand Standards (BPTCS) oversees all activities related toASME codes, standards, guidelines and accreditationprograms for non-nuclear pressure containingequipment.

In June 2006, Dr. William Short II, P.E. was electedto a 5-year term on the BPTCS. He was nominated bythe ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Division(PVPD). Bill began his term in October 2006.

The members of the BPTCS have the opportunity tocomment on all changes proposed by the committees ofthe ASME codes and standards (e.g., BPV Code, B31Piping Codes, Post-Construction Code, API-579 FFSStandard, etc.). The BPTCS considers and votes on allchanges proposed from the various codes and standardscommittees. For more information, visit the ASMEwebsite at www. asme.org.

Bill Short

Summer 2007 The PSE Pipeline Page 2

'SHORT' NOTESBy statute in most states, an individual engaged in

the practice of engineering must be a licensedProfessional Engineer, or "P.E.". Engineering firmsmust have a P.E. on staff. In some states, includingDelaware and New Jersey, an engineering firm also musthave a Certificate of Authorization (C/A) for the firm topractice engineering in that state. Some states exemptoperating companies from the licensed P.E. and C/Arequirements

Consider that an attorney has a law degree, butcannot practice law unless admitted to the bar; teachershave degrees in education, but must be state-certified toteach; and a degreed nurse must be licensed to practicenursing. It follows then that an individual who practicesand/or is in responsible charge of engineering shouldhave an engineering degree and also be a licensed P.E.After all, which of these professions has the most directinfluence on public safety?

PROCESS REACTOR MODIFICATIONSLEAD TO IMPROVED PRODUCTION(continued from page 1)incorporated. This has provideddividends to PSE clients by reduceddowntime and, in some cases,improved production capacity.

For new or refurbished reactors andagitators, PSE prepares the engineering specification,obtains competitive quotations, handles or assists inprocurement, and performs the in-process inspections.

For one case, a thermal-mechanical stress analysis ofa 30 year old vertical chemical reactor determined thatthe reactor could remain in service at modified operatingconditions. The remaining life was estimated by finiteelement analysis (FEA) per ASME Section VIII Div. 2fatigue criteria. This fitness-for-service assessmentextended the reactor life and avoided the major expenseof immediate replacement.

In another case, the jacket cooling/heating fluid flowpattern and rates were modified, and the reactor andagitator lengths were extended. This reactor retrofitprovided a cost-effective increased capacity for thechemical production plant without the need for a newreactor and agitator.

To engineer and specify such reactor designimprovements, a skilled engineer is needed withexperience in pressure vessel design, agitators, machinedesign, stress analysis, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.Experience with qualified vessel fabrication shops alsois needed.

For assistance on new or existing chemical reactordesigns, or information about other PSE experience thatcould be of benefit to your company, contact Bill Shortat PSE.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTIS MORE THAN A SECRETARY

While perhaps no longer "PC", afirm's administrative assistant once wasreferred to as a "Girl Friday". This meantthat the position handled many differenttasks and responsibilities, requiring awide range of skills. This holds true forPSE's Administrative Assistant, Kimberly S. Keller.

Ms. Keller is a certified secretary, and she alsosupervises the administrative and clerical functions onlarge projects. Kim is highly skilled with MS Word,Excel, Access and Power Point and other businesssoftware.

On all PSE consulting work and projects, Ms. Kellermaintains the procurement logs, performs telephoneexpediting, and maintains all the electronic and manualfile systems. Yes, Kim is an efficient multi-tasker.

At the risk of political correctness, it is easy to seethat Kim Keller is PSE's "Girl Friday". Kim has beenwith PSE nearly 12 years. She can be reached atkkeller@PSEIncDE.com

PSE SUPPORTS OVARIAN CANCER EVENTPSE is a proud sponsor of the annual Run/Walk for

the Whisper, organized and directed by the DelawareChapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition(NOCC-DE).

Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in women age 35-74. It can affect womenand girls of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. To date,there is no reliable diagnostic screening; and, contrary topopular belief, a Pap Test CAN NOT detect ovariancancer.

The 4th Annual NOCC-DE Run/Walk was held inMay at the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. The2007 event had record participation, attendance andrevenues. Nearly $22,000 was raised for awareness,education and research. Dorianne Short is theNOCC-DE President and an ovarian cancer survivor.

We take this opportunity to express our appreciationto all PSE clients, business associates and friends whocontributed to this year's event.

For more information on ovarian cancer, or ourNOCC-DE events, visit the NOCC website atwww.ovarian.org (DE Chapter).

For more information, contact:Pressure Systems Engineering Inc.

2605 Eastburn CenterNewark, Delaware 19711

Tel: (302) 283-0180Fax: (302) 283-0184

E-mail: Info@PSEIncDE.comVisit the PSE Website: www.PSEIncDE.com

FEA Stress Contour

Kim Keller