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WR Training

September 24 course update:

We have added a new section on steam boilers

June 24 course update:

We have added quizzes to help you test your knowledge and emphasize the key learning points. The quiz includes:

  • True/False questions

  • Multi-choice questions

  • Images, cross-sectionnal views

  • Solved problems

  • and much more...

Read more

September 24 course update:

We have added a new section on steam boilers

June 24 course update:

We have added quizzes to help you test your knowledge and emphasize the key learning points. The quiz includes:

  • True/False questions

  • Multi-choice questions

  • Images, cross-sectionnal views

  • Solved problems

  • and much more...

When you think you’ve got a good grasp on a topic within the course, you can test your knowledge by taking the quiz. If you pass, wonderful . If not, you can review the videos and notes again or ask us for help in the Q&A section.

The general knowledge as to how process equipment really functions is disappearing from the process industries. This is not only our opinion but the general view of senior technical managers in many large corporations.

Chemical process equipment is basically the same now as it was in the 1930s.

The distilling columns, KO drums, compressors, pumps, heat exchangers, valves, steam systems have not changed, and probably will not change.

The fundamental nature of process equipment operation has been well established for a very long time.

The chemical engineer has traditionally been the guardian of process knowledge. So, one would suppose that if fundamental process knowledge is vanishing, the origin of the problem may lie in our universities.

But in this online course, we have gone back to the very simplest basis for understanding process equipment. In every section and video lecture we have said: “Here is how the equipment behaves in the field, and this is why.”

The guiding idea of our course is that it is better to have a working knowledge of a few simple ideas than a superficial knowledge of many complex theoretical subjects.

In this course, you will find valuable insights into the working principles and construction details of the following process equipment:

  • Piping systems

  • Valves

  • Control valves

  • Actuators

  • Safety and pressure relief valves

  • Steam traps

  • Strainers

  • Heat exchangers

  • Fired heaters

  • Steam boilers

  • Centrifugal pumps

  • Positive displacement pumps (rotary and reciprocating)

  • Dynamic compressors (axial and centrifugal)

  • Positive displacement compressors (rotary and reciprocating)

  • Distilling columns

  • Tanks and vessels

  • Flare systems

The course includes:

  • extensive graphics

  • cross-sectional views

  • 3D animations

This will give you a virtual practical exposure on process equipment.

In addition, we have included at the end of the course a technical quiz (200+ questions) to help you test your knowledge and emphasize the key learning points.

The quiz includes:

  • True/False questions

  • Multi-choice questions

  • Images, cross-sectional views

  • Solved problems

  • and much more...

So when you think you’ve got a good grasp on a topic within the course, you can test your knowledge by taking the quiz. If you pass, wonderful . If not, you can review the videos and notes again or ask us for help in the Q&A section.

Lastly, we hope and believe that this valuable course will help you do a better job and will help you contribute to the safety of your facility, your fellow workers and yourself.

We promise you that even though this is a technical training, you can watch it easily, without pain, but with comprehension, and that after completing it, you won't be an experienced operator or process engineer but you will be prepared to become one if that is what you like and persist to be.

Thank you again for your interest in our online courses. It is a privilege to serve you and make sure that you're learning valuable information with us.

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What's inside

Syllabus

WR Training
Welcome to WR Training
About the course
Before you start
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational understanding of process equipment, which is essential for those starting their careers in the process industries
Covers fundamental principles of process equipment that have remained largely unchanged since the 1930s, offering a stable base of knowledge
Includes extensive graphics, cross-sectional views, and 3D animations to provide a virtual practical exposure to process equipment
Features quizzes with true/false, multiple-choice, images, and solved problems to test knowledge and emphasize key learning points
Focuses on the practical behavior of equipment in the field, which complements theoretical knowledge gained in university settings
Includes a technical quiz with over 200 questions to help learners test their knowledge and reinforce key concepts

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Reviews summary

Practical process equipment essentials

According to learners, this course provides a strong and practical foundation in essential process equipment. Students particularly praise the clear explanations and excellent visual aids, including animations and cross-sectional views, which make complex topics easy to understand. Many found the focus on real-world field behavior highly applicable to their careers, especially for those new to the industry. While some felt the depth was introductory in certain areas, overall sentiment is highly positive. The recently added quizzes are seen as a helpful addition for reinforcing learning.
Recently added quizzes help reinforce learning.
"The quizzes were a great addition and helped reinforce the concepts."
"The recently added quizzes are useful for self-testing."
Emphasizes real-world equipment behavior.
"It focuses on the 'how and why' in the field, which is super valuable."
"focus on fundamental working principles rather than complex theory is perfect for plant engineers or operators."
"explanations are very practical and focus on field behavior."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work"
Provides essential knowledge for career start.
"This course is exactly what I needed! ... I feel much more confident discussing these topics at work."
"Excellent overview of key equipment. Great foundation laid out."
"As someone new to the industry, this gave me a strong understanding of the equipment I see daily."
"Exactly what the title says - essential knowledge for a career start."
Explanations are clear, visuals are excellent.
"It covers the essential process equipment in a clear and practical way."
"The animations and cross-sections are fantastic for understanding how things work internally."
"The videos are concise and easy to follow."
"The visual content is superior to just reading textbooks."
Offers broad coverage but depth is introductory.
"Some sections felt a little basic, but overall, it serves well as a strong introduction."
"It's quite introductory... sometimes felt a bit too simple."
"The coverage is broad, but the depth varies. Probably best for absolute beginners..."
"Doesn't go into complex design calculations, which aligns with the 'essentials' focus."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Process equipment essentials for a successful career start with these activities:
Review Fluid Mechanics Principles
Reinforce your understanding of fluid mechanics, a fundamental concept for understanding the behavior of process equipment.
Browse courses on Fluid Mechanics
Show steps
  • Review textbook chapters on fluid properties and behavior.
  • Work through example problems related to pressure and flow.
  • Watch online videos explaining key concepts.
Skim 'Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers'
Familiarize yourself with common rules of thumb used in the chemical engineering industry.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers'.
  • Skim through the book, focusing on sections related to process equipment.
  • Note down any rules of thumb that seem particularly useful or relevant.
Read 'Process Equipment Design' by Brownell and Young
Gain a deeper understanding of process equipment design principles and best practices.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Process Equipment Design'.
  • Read chapters relevant to the equipment covered in the course.
  • Take notes on key design considerations and calculations.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow Online Tutorials on Valve Actuator Maintenance
Enhance your practical knowledge of valve actuators through hands-on tutorials.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on valve actuator maintenance.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial to disassemble and reassemble an actuator.
  • Document your observations and any challenges encountered.
Create a Presentation on Heat Exchanger Types
Solidify your understanding of heat exchangers by creating a presentation that explains the different types and their applications.
Show steps
  • Research different types of heat exchangers.
  • Prepare slides with clear explanations and visuals.
  • Practice your presentation to ensure a smooth delivery.
Design a Piping System for a Specific Process
Apply your knowledge of piping systems to a practical design project.
Show steps
  • Define the process requirements and operating conditions.
  • Select appropriate pipe materials and sizes.
  • Create a detailed piping layout and isometric drawings.
  • Calculate pressure drops and flow rates.
  • Specify valves, fittings, and other components.
Solve Pressure Relief Valve Sizing Problems
Improve your ability to size pressure relief valves by working through practice problems.
Show steps
  • Find practice problems on pressure relief valve sizing.
  • Solve each problem step-by-step, showing your work.
  • Check your answers against the solutions.

Career center

Learners who complete Process equipment essentials for a successful career start will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Plant Operator
A plant operator is responsible for overseeing and controlling equipment to maintain stable and efficient plant operations. This course's focus on process equipment operation, including distilling columns, compressors, and pumps, directly relates to the daily tasks of a plant operator. The course emphasizes a working knowledge of simple ideas rather than superficial knowledge of complex theories, making it ideal for aspiring plant operators. The virtual practical exposure on process equipment provided through extensive graphics, cross-sectional views, and 3D animations allows for a better understanding of the equipment.
Process Technician
As a process technician, you'll monitor and control equipment to ensure efficient and safe operations. This course provides a strong introduction to process equipment, covering piping systems, valves, heat exchangers, and more. Understanding how this equipment behaves in the field and why is crucial for a process technician. In this course, you'll gain insights into the working principles and construction details of various types of process equipment. A process technician who takes this course will be better prepared to contribute to the safety of the facility and fellow workers.
Process Engineer
Process engineers design, develop, and optimize chemical, physical, and biological processes. This course helps build a foundation in process equipment. The course emphasizes the practical understanding of equipment behavior, covering distilling columns, knockout drums, and heat exchangers. Process engineers can use this knowledge to design more efficient and safer processes. This course's focus on the fundamentals of process equipment will be extremely useful for engineers early in their career.
Maintenance Technician
Maintenance technicians are responsible for the upkeep and repair of process equipment. The 'Process Equipment Essentials' course will be helpful for maintenance technicians who want to deepen their understanding of equipment functionality. With coverage of valves, actuators, steam traps, and heat exchangers this course provides insights into the construction details of process equipment. Understanding the material in this course may allow the maintenance technician to better diagnose and repair process equipment. In this course, maintenance technicians can gain the knowledge needed to ensure the reliability and longevity of plant assets.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. The knowledge base of a chemical engineer includes expertise in process equipment. This course covers process equipment, explaining how the equipment behaves in the field and why. The course is valuable to chemical engineers because it provides a helpful overview of process equipment.
Instrumentation Technician
An instrumentation technician installs, maintains, and repairs instruments and control systems in a plant. This course focuses on control valves and actuators. It also provides a foundational understanding of how process equipment functions. The material on control valves and actuators covers manual handwheels, electric motor actuators, and pneumatic actuators. An instrumentation technician will benefit from the overview of process equipment in addition to the material directly related to instrumentation and control.
Reliability Engineer
Reliability engineers work to improve the reliability and maintainability of equipment. This course provides a solid foundation in the working principles of process equipment, which directly supports the work of a reliability engineer. The knowledge gained helps in identifying potential failure points and optimizing maintenance schedules. In this course, reliability engineers may find insights into piping systems, valves, heat exchangers, and other critical components that are essential for ensuring stable operations.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and improving manufacturing processes. This course introduces the essentials of process equipment, which is vital for optimizing manufacturing operations. The course covers piping systems, valves, and heat exchangers, all critical components in a manufacturing plant. A manufacturing engineer who understands the working principles and construction details of this equipment can significantly improve process efficiency and safety. This course focuses on practical knowledge, which applies directly to the role.
Project Engineer
A project engineer manages and coordinates engineering projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This course helps build a foundation in process equipment, providing essential knowledge for overseeing projects involving chemical or process plants. The course covers various types of equipment, from piping to distilling columns, giving project engineers a broad understanding of the components they will encounter. In this course, project engineers can gain insights that will help them to better communicate with technical teams and make informed decisions.
Operations Manager
Operations managers oversee the daily operations of an organization, ensuring processes run smoothly and efficiently. This course is a valuable starting point for operations managers. With content on piping, valves, heat exchanges, and more this course gives a comprehensive virtual practical exposure on process equipment. This course is designed to help operations managers get a better grasp of how various equipment behaves and why.
Process Safety Engineer
Process safety engineers identify and assess potential hazards in chemical plants and other processing facilities, developing safety procedures and equipment to mitigate risks. This course may be useful for process safety engineers to understand the practical aspects of process equipment. The course covers safety and pressure relief valves. It also covers steam boilers. The course is designed to give a virtual practical exposure on process equipment.
Quality Control Engineer
Quality control engineers are responsible for ensuring that products and processes meet specific quality standards. This course may be useful for quality control engineers. A quality control engineer can apply their knowledge of process equipment to better check the quality of manufacturing processes. The quizzes in this course will help the quality control engineer to test their knowledge and emphasize key learning points.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution control and waste management. This course may be useful for environmental engineers, especially those working in industries that involve chemical processes. The course can provide a foundation in process equipment operation. It can also provide details on flare systems. Environmental engineers can gain insight that will help them to better address the environmental impact of industrial processes.
Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers work to improve efficiency and productivity in organizations. This course may be useful when seeking to improve processes in manufacturing plants with machinery, piping and control features. This course covers manufacturing methods, sizing of pipes, and wall thickness. The material in this course is designed to help the learner better understand the principles of process equipment operation.
Technical Sales Engineer
Technical sales engineers sell complex technical products or services to businesses, providing expert knowledge and support to clients. This course introduces the learner to process equipment, including steam traps, strainers, heat exchangers, and fired heaters. This course may be useful for a technical sales engineer to better understand the equipment they sell and to better communicate with clients.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Process equipment essentials for a successful career start.
Provides practical rules of thumb for chemical engineers. It covers a wide range of topics, including process equipment, design, and operation. It useful reference for quickly estimating equipment sizes and performance. This book adds breadth to the course by providing quick and easy solutions to common problems.

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