Reduce revamp costs by optimizing design and operations.

The article discusses ethylene plant service life and plant revamps. The issue of replacing the ethylene and/or propylene refrigerant compressors and their steam turbine drives, which is a major cost component in the revamp of olefin plants, is discussed. A capacity expansion goal may require new, larger compressor casings and/or new compressor foundations. In some cases, these modifications can be avoided by including thorough evaluations during the revamp study.