Challenges to managing aging process equipment and infrastructure

ABSTRACT

Aging equipment has long been a reality in the chemical process industries. Plants built in the 1950s and 1960s, during an age of prosperity and growth, have since surpassed their life expectancy and many are still operating. Aging equipment is often more prone to failure than equipment built to current standards. Aging is recognized as a significant contributor to industrial accidents particularly in North America. CCPS published a concept book in 2018 highlighting best practices for dealing with aging equipment. In the current economic downturn coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic there are some additional challenges in applying these best practices. This article discusses some of these challenges. © 2021 American Institute of Chemical Engineers