Analysis of Multiphase Flow and Heat and Mass Transfer for Ammonium Chloride Crystallization of the High-Pressure Heat Exchanger in Hydrogenation Unit

The corrosion failure of the high-pressure heat exchanger in a petrochemical enterprise was simulated. A multiphase flow and heat and mass transfer simulation shows that the vortex core with a higher gas phase content and lower temperature is the region of easy crystallization, located on both sides of the center of the tube. The crystallization process occurs in the gas phase. As the reaction progresses, the crystallization range spreads from the tube wall to the center of the tube bundle, and the inner diameter of the tube bundle decreases continuously. In Fluent, a user-defined function, based on the ammonium chloride crystallization reaction, is loaded. The results show that crystallization first occurs in the tube bundles on both sides of the center of the tube and that the corrosion is aggravated by the erosion wall surface of crystal particles at the elbow, which is consistent with the actual corrosion failure location.

An empirical investigation of trust in AI in a Chinese petrochemical enterprise based on institutional theory

Despite its considerable potential in the manufacturing industry, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry still faces the challenge of insufficient trust. Since AI is a black box with operations that ordinary users have difficulty understanding, users in organizations rely on institutional cues to make decisions about their trust in AI. Therefore, this study investigates trust in AI in the manufacturing industry from an institutional perspective. We identify three institutional dimensions from institutional theory and conceptualize them as management commitment (regulative dimension at the organizational level), authoritarian leadership (normative dimension at the group level), and trust in the AI promoter (cognitive dimension at the individual level). We hypothesize that all three institutional dimensions have positive effects on trust in AI. In addition, we propose hypotheses regarding the moderating effects of AI self-efficacy on these three institutional dimensions. A survey was conducted in a large petrochemical enterprise in eastern China just after the company had launched an AI-based diagnostics system for fault detection and isolation in process equipment service. The results indicate that management commitment, authoritarian leadership, and trust in the AI promoter are all positively related to trust in AI. Moreover, the effect of management commitment and trust in the AI promoter are strengthened when users have high AI self-efficacy. The findings of this study provide suggestions for academics and managers with respect to promoting users’ trust in AI in the manufacturing industry.

Methodology for Assessing the Efficiency of Digitalization of Production Processes of a Petrochemical Enterprise

The fourth industrial revolution promotes a radical transition of chemical-technological systems to a new fifth technological paradigm. The radical transformation of value added chains through the digitalization of processes and products of chemical technological systems raises the urgent issue of staffing in a dynamically changing environment. In the course of studying the processes of digitalization of petrochemical industries, a low level of assessment of the efficiency of production processes digitalization was revealed. The paper considers approaches to assessing the organization of production, some indicators of assessing the efficiency of digitalization at industrial enterprises, a methodology for diagnosing the technological development of discrete production of continuous type. The study offers a method for assessing the efficiency of digitalization of production processes of continuous type, in particular, at petrochemical enterprises, and introduces the system of indicators of organizing digital main and auxiliary industries, the indicators being grouped into an integral indicator. The proposed methodology underlies the information system for monitoring the level of digitalization of production processes of a petrochemical enterprise and is an important tool in the implementation of the digital transformation strategy of enterprises

Psychological Prevention of Industrial Injuries

The psychological analysis for the problem of the human factor of industrial injuries is presented in the article. The urgency of considering the problem of industrial injuries from a psychological point of view is substantiated. The characteristics of the factors influencing the efficiency of production activities are given. The results are presented concerning the empirical study conducted at the petrochemical enterprise with the employees in the production of monomers using an assessment of the ergonomic working conditions and causes of injuries, psychodiagnostic techniques. The reliability of the study results was achieved by using the methods of mathematical statistics (correlation analysis by Brave-Pearson and Vard methods). The specificity of the manifestation of psychophysiological characteristics of the employee in the morning, day and night shifts is specified. The possibility is provided to predict the risks of human errors in non-standard situations at the level of psychological diagnostics. The possibilities of using psychological measures in the prevention of injuries at the stage of occupational selection are described. The results of study demonstrate the possibility of reducing injury rate by differentiating employees based on the psychophysiological indicators and determining the optimal working time. Conclusions are formulated regarding the influence of psychological factors on the efficiency and safety of the work activity. It is advisable to consider the psychophysiological characteristics of the employees in professional selection, determination of the shift work schedule and admission to occupational activity. The need is defined related to studying the causes and factors of injury rate from the standpoint of analyzing critical periods of time that require special attention and control from the medical and psychological services of the enterprises and departments of occupational and industrial safety.