Knowledge Base

Focused technical guides on troubleshooting, sizing methodology, materials selection, and comparative technology assessments — the kind of notes you’d want on hand before a review meeting.

Amine Solvent SelectionMEA, DEA, MDEA, and piperazine blends for gas treating — selection trade-offs.
Arc Flash PPE Category SelectionPractical PPE category selection guide for arc flash hazards per NFPA 70E.
ATEX vs NEC Hazardous Area ClassificationSide-by-side mapping of ATEX/IECEx and NEC Div/Zone frameworks for global projects.
BESS DC-Coupled vs AC-CoupledSolar+storage architecture decision: round-trip efficiency, complexity, and use cases.
BESS Sizing HeuristicsBattery energy storage sizing rules of thumb for industrial applications.
Biodiesel vs Renewable DieselFAME vs HVO — chemistry, blendwall, cold-flow, and credit-stack comparison.
Centrifugal Pump Minimum FlowMinimum continuous stable flow thresholds, recirc valve sizing, and field indicators.
CO₂ Capture Solvent SelectionMEA, MDEA, piperazine, and emerging solvent selection trade-offs for post-combustion capture.
Compressor Anti-Surge Control StrategySurge-line offset, recycle-valve sizing, and tuning for centrifugal compressor protection.
Control Valve Cavitation vs FlashingField diagnosis of cavitation and flashing damage with mitigation options.
Crude Desalter TroubleshootingEmulsion, salt-carryover, and grid-trip diagnosis for two-stage desalters.
Distillation Column TroubleshootingFlooding, weeping, and product-quality drift in trayed and packed columns.
eFuel Reactor Technology SelectionFT, MTG, and direct CO₂ hydrogenation pathways for synthetic fuels.
Electrical Area Classification GuideNEC 500/505 and API RP 500/505 decision framework for hazardous area classification.
Electrofuels Economics DriversCapEx, electricity cost, and capacity factor impact on $/gal of synthetic fuels.
Electrolyzer LCOH GuideLevelized cost of hydrogen fundamentals for PEM and alkaline electrolyzers.
FCC Troubleshooting GuideCommon FCC unit upsets and operational troubleshooting checklists.
Flare KO Drum Sizing GuideDroplet-settling methodology and practical sizing rules for flare knockout drums.
Fluid Hammer & Surge PreventionJoukowsky pressure rise and field mitigations — surge tanks, slow-close valves, accumulators.
Gas Flow Choking Design GuideChoked-flow regime, critical pressure ratio, and design implications for vents and PSVs.
Green Hydrogen Storage OptionsCompressed, liquid, LOHC, and underground storage trade-offs for green H₂.
Grounding & Bonding Design PrinciplesGrounding system design fundamentals per IEEE 80, NEC 250, and API RP 2003.
HF vs Sulfuric AlkylationSelection and risk trade-offs between HF and sulfuric acid alkylation units.
Hydrocracker vs HydrotreaterSelection framework for hydroprocessing unit type based on feed, products, and severity.
Hydrogen Compression SelectionReciprocating, diaphragm, and ionic-liquid compressors for high-pressure H₂.
Hydrogen Embrittlement & MaterialsMaterials selection considerations for high-pressure and wet hydrogen service.
Kettle vs Thermosiphon ReboilersSelection criteria and tradeoffs between kettle and thermosiphon reboiler configurations.
Methanol, Ammonia, SAF — ComparisonComparative overview of methanol, ammonia, and SAF as emerging fuels pathways.
Motor Insulation Class SelectionClass B vs F vs H insulation: temperature rise, thermal margin, and service-factor implications.
Motor Starting MethodsAcross-the-line, soft-start, VFD, and reactor-start — selection decision guide.
P&ID Review — 30 Minute GuideA structured checklist for running an effective 30-minute P&ID review.
Pipe Stress Analysis Screening10-minute stress screening guide to decide which lines need full Caesar II analysis.
Piping Vibration Screening30-minute field method for screening piping vibration risk per Energy Institute guidelines.
PSV Sizing Report Review GuideWhat to look for when reviewing a third-party PSV sizing report.
Pump Cavitation Field DiagnosisField decision tree for diagnosing and responding to pump cavitation.
SAF Pathway SelectionHEFA, ATJ, FT, and PtL sustainable aviation fuel pathway decision framework.
Solar + BESS Round-Trip EfficiencyWhere the kWh go — inverter, transformer, battery, and aux-load loss accounting.
Sulfur Recovery Unit TroubleshootingCommon Claus SRU upsets, tail-gas issues, and operational recovery actions.
Two-Phase Flow Regime GuideBaker/Mandhane regime maps and design guidance for two-phase piping and risers.

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Disclaimer. This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Calculations, reference data, and methodologies are based on published standards and accepted engineering practice but are not a substitute for engineering judgment, site-specific analysis, or review by a licensed Professional Engineer. Inflection Point Engineering, LLC makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose of any content presented here, and shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from its use. Users assume all risk associated with applying this content to real-world design, operations, or decisions.