Petro-sim and Process Safety
Rules of Thumb and Quick Calcs
Secret Category
100

This is the correct response to low temperature MPT alarm? (SOL)

What is depressuring below MPT pressure?

100

This is the saturation temperature of 100 psig steam.

What is 338 F?

100

This is where Bob hails from.

What is basically St. Louis, Missouri?

200

This is the actual/operating specific gravity of Stream 2

What is 0.709?

200

This is the head pressure exerted by 20 feet of 0.7 S.G. liquid.

What is 6 psig?

200

This is Bob's middle name.

(I don't actually know)
300

This is the dynamic viscosity of the liquid in Stream 1 (in cP).

What is 0.2325 cP?

300

Double Jeopardy: You multiple High Heating Value (HHV) by this to approximate the Low Heating Value (LHV).

For extra points, what are the other names for HHV and LHV, and what is the difference between the two?

What is 0.9?


Gross and net, vaporization of water removed from net.

300

Double-Jeopardy: These are the names of Bob's wife and child.

Who are Kate and Amelia?

400

This is the correct response to high level in fuel gas KO drum, per the generic LOPA. (SRA)

Trip the furnace!

400

This is the normal distance between fixed ladder rungs in the refinery.

What is one foot?

400

This is one of Bob's hobbies.

What is photography? Or travelling? Or working out 💪

500

This is the TVP of the liquid in stream 2 as it would enter a tank.

What is 18.32 psia?

500

This is the typical change (in %) on hydrocarbon specific gravity per 100 F of temperature change, per Lieberman.

What is 5%?

500

This is Bob's deepest, darkest fear.

Well it's obviously not leaving us.