In this section of the site contributing authors submit interesting articles relating
to the various services, industries and research & development efforts of Becht.
With the current market volatility and economic uncertainty, many oil & gas companies are looking to tighten their budgets and cut costs. Unfortunately, training programs are often among the first on the chopping block. On the surface, the training budget seems like an easy expense to reduce. In reality, cutting these programs is a short-sighted […]
Introduction Problem: You’ve modernized tools, optimized workflows, and embraced digital transformation to reduce risk and remain competitive—except in one critical area: corporate standards. Despite their importance, corporate standards remain buried in bloated documents and outdated systems, restricting efficiency and progress for your organization. Opportunity: Corporate standards management is outdated. Standards are stored as static Word […]
Process scale-up is the effort to take a chemical process that works at a smaller scale and design a version that will work similarly well at a larger scale. Oftentimes, the smaller process is in a laboratory and exhibits excellent product yields in a reactor measuring less than one inch in diameter; meanwhile, the larger […]
This is the third and final part of the blog trilogy relating to life management of pressure swing absorber (PSA) vessels. In this article, we will explain how to develop a life management plan and an inspection strategy based on fatigue analysis. In Part 1, we explored the significance of measuring longitudinal weld peaking in […]
In this article I write about process technologies for preparation of slurries, AKA “solids in suspension,” and the considerations that must be made in equipment design. Mainly this includes powder wettability, but I will also briefly outline reactions, rheology, and several other considerations. For slurry preparation, our initial state is one in which the dry […]
In oil and gas production, every hour a unit is offline incurs significant costs. There is a substantial financial impact associated not only with the lost revenue from halted production, but also with the manpower expenses associated with restarting the unit. Minimizing delays is crucial to reducing these costs. Plant managers can employ meticulous planning, […]
In the fast-moving world of petroleum refining, Linear Programming (LP) models are the backbone of decision-making. These models guide production planning, crude selection, and optimization strategies to maximize profitability. However, an LP model is only as good as its accuracy and alignment with real-world operations. Over time, market conditions, operational constraints, and process efficiencies evolve—leading […]
By Grant Jacobson and Jan Zander This is the second article in a series about PEAK (Practical Energy Assessment Kit), Becht’s new energy efficiency assessment toolkit designed to help refineries unlock their full potential. In Part 1 of this blog series, we explored how energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about improving reliability, […]
In engineering assessments, accurate and reliable data is the foundation for sound decision-making. Yet, uncertainty in data—whether due to limitations in measurement techniques, variable loading conditions, or incomplete records—is an ever-present challenge. This article explores common sources of data uncertainty, guidance from API-579 and API-580 on managing it, and how to leverage risk matrices and […]
The oil and gas industry (O&G) is no stranger to challenges, given its volatile and high-stakes environment. One persistent and costly issue it faces is employee turnover. In recent years, this sector has witnessed a revolving door of employees leaving in less than five years, perpetuating a continuous cycle of hiring, rehiring, training, and retraining. […]
