Power management company Eaton has added a simulated petrochemical refinery and five other interactive applications to its Experience Center in Houston. The facility provides hands-on training on safety, products and monitoring for the oil and gas and utility markets in an industrial environment.

A full-scale petrochemical refinery provides interactive training for oil and gas workers. Image credit: Eaton At 14,000 square feet, the downstream petrochemical plant features power distribution, motor protection, process instrumentation and life-safety options. It offers live demonstrations of hard-to-reach oil and gas applications both on- and offshore.

Other additions to the Experience Center include:

· A data center that allows attendees to interact with hot isle containment, electrical distribution and emergency backup schemes while learning about solutions for maintaining uptime

· A power-quality lab featuring real-time surge events, harmonics and voltage sags to help train on power distribution, surge protection, motor control systems and energy correction capabilities

· An upstream drilling and production rig to demonstrate weight savings solutions, power distribution technologies and process management through international installation practices

· Land-based drilling unit equipped with variable frequency drives and automated control systems to demonstrate advances in energy savings and sustainable procurement of natural resources

· Utility and power distribution area to train visitors on energy regulations and smart grid technology

The Experience Center offers more than 8,000 products and is divided into process and containment areas that provide attendees a range of oil and gas training opportunities in hazardous and non-hazardous applications.