Industry Standard Specifications

As previously discussed in this chapter and in Chapter 10, reciprocating compressors are generally classified as either low-speed (integral) compressors or high-speed (separable) compressors, API has provided a standard and specification for each type of compressor to help the user and the facility engineer provide reliable compressor installations. 

API Specification IIP Specification for Packaged Reciprocating Compressors for Oil and Gas Production Services covers packaged high-speed separable compressors with speeds from 600 to 1,200 rpm. The majority of reciprocating compressors sold in today s market fall into this category. 

The user and facilitiy engineer must determine the critical nature of each installation and determine the type of construction desired. He or she must consider such things as intended service, compressor location, the consequences of downtime, and frequency of up-set or abnormal conditions. 

When specifying compressor packages to API 1 IP, it may be necessary to specify certain sections of API 618 to ensure satisfactory installations. An example of this would be the supply of multiple compressors to be located in pipeline booster stations. In this case, an analog or digital pulsation and vibration study per API 618 Section 3.9 would be advisable to improve reliability and to minimize system problems and potential damage caused by gas pulsations and interaction between the individual compressor packages. 

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National Standards Association, Inc. 5161 River Road Bethesda, Md. 20816 Maintains a standards and specifications database for online searching of government and industry standards, specifications, and related documents (see Databases). 

Fats and oils are treated as commodities in the open market and are purchased in bulk. As commodities, their prices fluctuate with supply and demand. Furthermore, fats and oils come in different grades that reflect different levels of processing and have industry-standardized specifications such as the American Fats and Oil Association. In the manufacture of soap in the United States, the source of animal fats is domestic whereas the vegetable oils are frequently obtained from Southeast Asia, primarily Malaysia and the Philippines. 

Indonesian Standar For Industry, Standard Specification for Examination Gloves, (1989) to be published. 

Fluid Specifications. The performance characteristics of all antifreeze solutions are governed by fluid specifications, that have been developed over the years by industry standards committees, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Additionally, most engine and/or cooling system manufacturers have thek own compositional specifications to which the fluids must conform. 

Some standard industrial quality specifications for n- and isobutyraldehyde are given in Table 3. Many times, however, specification limits are tailored to individual customer requirements. 

The flare system furnished as standardized or proprietary equipment shall in general follow the intent of this specification, but may differ in some details by following Supplier s standards for design conditions. However, any difference in detail shall be in accordance with established Oil and Gas Industry Standard Practice. 

ASTM El 137-97. Standard Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers. American Society for Testing and Materials, 1997. 

Electric motors are the most common drivers for the m ority of pumps, compressors, agitators, and similar equipment in the process industries. Process engineers should obtain the assistance of a qualified electrical engineer before completing motor specifications ior the wide variety of equipment applications and respective power sources. The use of standard specifications for the various types and classes of motors is helpful and reduces repetitious details. Be certain that the type of motor is properly matched to the service, atmosphere, load characteristics, and available type and power factor of the electrical energy to drive the motor. Some basic guides are summarized, but they cannot be used as all-inclusive rules to fit all plant or equipment condi-... 

Absolute-fault limits are typically based on industrial standards for specific classifications of machinery. Generally, these standards are based on a filtered broadband limit and are not adjusted for variables such as speed, load or mounting configuration. However, vibration amplitude and its severity depend on speed and load. Therefore, alert/alarm limits must be adjusted for variations in both of these critical factors. 

In this Table, BSS refers to British Standard Specification 2468 1978. and ASME refers to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Industrial Boiler Sub-Committee of the Research Committee on water in Thermal power stations. 1986 ND. not delectable NS. not specified. 

Identity specific functions Dimensions, structural loads, govl/industry standards, service environments, etc. 

From a practical aspect, when the expression quality control is use, we tend to think in terms of a good or excellent product. In industry, it is one that fulfills customer s expectations. These expectations or standards of performance are based on the intended use and selling price of the product. Control is the process of regulating or directing an activity to verify its conformance to a standard/specification and to take corrective action if required. Therefore QC is the regulatory testing process for those activities that measure a product s performance, compare that performance with established standards/specifications, and pursue corrective action regardless of where those activities occur. 

Therefore, the second objective, equally important, was to share the results of this program not only with other DOD organizations but also with the private industrial sector. Since industry is concerned with larger production orders, the DOD procurement posture would be improved substantially through the shared knowledge and established standardization specifications. This, in fact, is the goal of all MMT programs... 

A designer of relief systems must be familiar with governmental codes, industrial standards, and insurance requirements. This is particularly important because local government standards may vary. Codes of particular interest are published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Petroleum Institute, and the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Specific references have already been cited. It is recommended that relief designers carefully consider all codes and, where feasible, select the one that is most suited to the particular installation. 

The following is a listing of specific U.S. industry standards for fire performance testing for specific fire exposures that may be applied in the petroleum industry. 

Likewise, the Haul and Dtimbgen method of measuring specific surface areas through nitrogen adsorption has developed into an industrial standard [8]. 

An industrial standard method has been developed to test the lightfastness of polymers in accelerated test equipment [103]. The apparatus consists of a quartz-xenon tube with a special optical filter between the light source and the specimen to produce light that resembles window glass-filtered daylight [104], Samples are mounted at a specific distance from the arc and are supported on a frame which revolves around the arc 1 to 5 times per minute for uniform exposure. A blower unit in the base provides a flow of air which makes it possible to maintain a black panel temperature of 45°C, measured by a black panel thermometer which is positioned at level with the samples. A black panel unit consists of a bimetallic thermometer mounted on a steel frame. Both faces of the frame plate and also the stem of the thermometer are coated with a heat-resistant glossy black enamel. The relative humidity level in the exposure cabinet is closely controlled. 

QA requires the efficient analysis of many samples to support routine production release and stability programs. Methods are typically established in the analytical development group. Efficiency and convenience issues, including the speed of media preparation and the relative convenience of data handling and documentation, are important here. While compliance is important in all aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, QA functions must approach compliance perfection. Depending upon the facility, the automated apparatus may be tailored to specific methods with fixed configurations. Dissolution methods may be routine enough that a custom system, optimized for productivity, may be justified. Compliance of USP and use of industry standard apparatus is important to maintain compatibility with other company laboratories or in the case contract laboratory services are required. 

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