COURSE OVERVIEW PE114
Process Plant Troubleshooting & Engineering Problem Solving
 

Course Title
Process Plant Troubleshooting & Engineering Problem Solving 

Course Date/ Venue
May 03 -07, 2009/Safari Meeting Room, Samaya Hotel, Dubai, UAE

Course Reference
PE114

Course Duration/Credits
Five days/3.0 CEUs

Course Description
Modern industrial processes are large, complex and have a high degree of interaction between both dependent and independent variables. This makes problem solving difficult and leads to the “disappearing problem” syndrome. Problems often disappear without being solved only to reappear again. This course deals with a unique approach of combining cause and effect problem solving thinking with formulation of theoretically correct working hypotheses to provide rapid and effective problem solving techniques for the process industry.

Problem Solving in the process industry is often characterized by either inference based on cause and effect relationships or highly involved theoretical approaches. Neither of these approaches is satisfactory in a modern manufacturing environment. The cause/effect inference approach while being expedient often results in solutions that do not eliminate the problem, but in fact make the problem worse. The more sophisticated highly theoretical approach is rarely expedient enough to satisfy time constraints in a production facility. Thus one of the most frequent industry requests to the academic world is “give us people that can solve problems”.

This course presents an approach that emphasizes the classical problem solving approach (defining the sequence of events) with the addition of the steps of formulating a theoretically correct working hypothesis, providing a means to test the hypothesis, and providing a foolproof means to eliminate the problem. The initial part of the course focuses on defining the problem that must be solved and obtaining the location, time and quantity based specifications of the problem. The initial part of the course is suitable for all engineering disciplines as well as non-engineers. 

The second part of the course deals with the utilization of chemical engineering fundamentals to develop a technically correct working hypothesis that is the key to successful problem solving. The primary emphasis is on pragmatic calculation techniques that are theoretically correct. These techniques have been developed by the Course Instructor in 40+ years of industrial experience. Using these techniques, theoretically correct working hypotheses can be developed in an expedient fashion. 

The course includes both sample problems as well as problem working sessions to allow the participants to develop confidence with the approach.

The attendees are encouraged to bring real problems that they are working to use in discussions on the last day of the course. These problems should be of a non-confidential nature that can be discussed without violation of any confidentiality restrictions.

Course Objectives
Upon the successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:-

• Enrich knowledge on process plant troubleshooting and engineering problems solving through various practical exercises carry out during the course

• Familiarize the components of plant problem solving as well as the various troubleshooting techniques on engineering problem solving by familiarizing the potential sources

• Specify the limitations to plant problem solving through sources of historical data and become aware of the daily monitoring system guidelines by setting trigger points

• Apply the methods of risk analysis particularly HAZOP and MSDC in process plant troubleshooting and practice the process of engineering problem solving through sample problems in troubleshooting

• Know the scope of applied economics including other valuation forms & methods, and review the guidelines for problem solving temperature, pressure, and level

• Learn the application of the simplified approach in solving compressor problems and know distillation, plates, and tray stability Explain clearly the elements of measurements and verifications, and carry-out sample exercise on kinetics, flow, mechanical, and designs

• Recognize the attributes of equivalent piping lengths, commercial correlations, and fluids by means of practical exercises

• Know the importance of two phase flow including its attributes and applications and be able to analyze the characteristics of controllers, feedback, feedforward and cascade controls used in process control

• Improve knowledge on process control and optimization, process analyzers, distillation multiple control, volume control, condenser control, and control project drawback

• Enhance understanding on heat transfer and various troubleshooting techniques and applications in used process plant

• Implement several strategies on distillation column packing

• Evaluate the different forms of hazards and be able to equip participants with the QRA procedures and demonstration

• Become aware of the methods of MSDS and know if the needed information is good enough or incomplete

• Identify various accidents in the process plant and know what a flixborough accident is

Training Methodology
This interactive training course includes the following training methodologies as a percentage of total tuition hours:-

50% Lectures
30% Workshops, Group Work & Practical Exercises
20% Videos & Software

Who Should Attend
Process Engineers, Plant managers, Team Leaders, Section Heads, Plant Supervisors and technical staff.

Course Certificate
Haward Technology certificate will be issued to all attendees completing minimum of 75% of the total tuition hours of the course.

Course Accreditation
Haward Technology’s courses/workshops/seminars meet the professional certification and continuing education requirements for participants seeking Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in accordance with the rules & regulations of the International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET). IACET is an international authority that evaluates programs according to strict, research-based criteria and guidelines. The CEU is an internationally accepted uniform unit of measurement in qualified courses of continuing education. 

Haward Technology has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102, USA. In obtaining this approval, Haward Technology has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET 1-2007 Standard which are widely recognized as standards of good practice internationally. As a result of our Authorized Provider membership status, Haward Technology is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET 1-2007 Standard.

Haward Technology Middle East will award 3.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for participants who completed the total tuition hours of this program. One CEU is equivalent to ten Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or ten contact hours of the participation in and completion of Haward Technology programs. A permanent record of a participant’s involvement and awarding of CEU will be maintained by Haward Technology. Haward Technology will provide a copy of the participant’s CEU Transcript of Records upon request.

Course Fee
US $ 3,750 per Delegate. This rate includes Participant’s Pack (Folder, Manual, Hand-outs, etc.), buffet lunch, coffee/tea on arrival, morning & afternoon of each day. 

Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in the course fees. However, any accommodation required can be arranged by Haward Technology at the time of booking.

Course Instructor
Dr. Alan McIver (USA), PhD, MSc, Ch.Eng... More

Course Coordinator
Lily Hijazi, Tel: +971-2-44 88 301, Fax: +971-2-44 88 302, Email: lily@haward.org