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| Biofuel feedstock: is there enough? |
Rene Gonzalez, PTQ
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2008 / Biofuels |
A wider variety of feedstocks needs to be considered for biodiesel production. Processing costs and undesirable byproduct formation are the reasons for considering entirely new technical routes.
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| Agri-energy: the new technology frontier |
Michael Schwartz, Triple Point Technology
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2008 / Biofuels |
Supply chain complexities and technology for managing risk in biofuels production and trading. Systems deployed to manage risk in agri-energy should aggregate risk factors across multiple commodities from the agriculture and energy side of the equation.
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| Catalytic conversion of cellulosic biomass |
Paul O'Connor and Rob van der Meij, BIOeCON BV
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2008 / Biofuels |
Future process routes based on heterogeneous catalysis will enable effective and economical conversion of solid biomass into sustainable fuels, chemicals and energy. This conversion is based on the effective opening or unlocking of solid biomass.
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| Quality control of biofuels |
A Steinbach, U Loyall, B Zumbragel, C Haider, G Spinnler, R Schlink and A Wille, Metrohm AG
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2008 / Biofuels |
For quality control of biofuels, determination of oxidation stability, iodine and acid number as well as water, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal content are important. Titrimetric and ion chromatographic analyses are also addressed.
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| New standards of efficiency for biogas installations |
Alexandre Bouriant, Siemens AG
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2008 / Biofuels |
Case studies show that benefits from automation and control of biogas installations are being realised at facilities of various capacities. For these facilities, plant operation was made substantially easier, and availability and reliability were conserably improved.
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| Biodiesel concentration measurements |
David Wooton and David Armstrong, Wooton Consulting and Perkin Elmer.
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2008 / Biofuels |
Methods providing greater accuracy over the AFNOR method for determining biodiesel concentration in fuel blends are discussed. Principal component regression is explored as a means of alleviating errors when FAME is produced from varying feedstocks.
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| LCO upgrading at moderate to severe conditions |
Rene G Gonzalez, Editor, PTQ
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2008 / Q1 |
Several routes are available for processing LCO to diesel and gasoline, depending on economics and process objectives. For LCO upgrading, recent developments promote a two-stage process for separate hydrodesulphurisation and dearomatisation of thiophenic compounds.
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| Performance-minded, character-driven safety |
David G Lynn, Fluor
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2008 / Q1 |
Zero-incident techniques for excelling in health and safety performance involve commitment, involvement, analysis, prevention and training. The challenge is to translate these fundamental principles into action.
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| Minimising FCC slurry exchanger fouling |
David Hunt, Bill Minyard and Jeff Koebel, Grace Davison
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2008 / Q1 |
A case study shows when to expect reductions in slurry/FCC preheat exchanger duty from a variety of factors, including organic and inorganic-based fouling, asphaltene precipitation and atypical feedstock characteristics.
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| Designing FCCU internals |
Robert Giuricich and Anthony Schmitz, Emtrol LLC
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2008 / Q1 |
The proper evaluation for new FCCU cyclone equipment or the risk assessment can substantially impact profitability. The combination of assumed pressure, corrosion rates, mechanical loading and fluctuating temperature must be taken into account.
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| Canadian crude processing challenges |
Scott Golden, Process Consulting Services LLC
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2008 / Q1 |
Vacuum unit design influences liquid volume yields, run length, product yield and product quality when processing bitumen crude oils These crudes require special design considerations to maintain a reasonable run length without significant economic loss.
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| FCC regenerator design: part I |
Warren Letzsch and Chris R Santner, Shaw Stone & Webster
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2008 / Q1 |
To minimise catalyst deactivation, a regeneration system should be operated in counter-current flow with a superficial regenerator velocity that is well into the turbulent flow regime. Part II will explore factors in regenerator design that relate to emissions.
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| Coker naphtha hydrotreating |
Rasmus Breivik and Rasmus Egebjerg, Haldor Topsoe A/S
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2008 / Q1 |
Highly exothermic olefins saturation and silica contamination can occur when hydrotreating coker naphtha. Recent studies show how optimum process and catalyst technology can help find the best unit layout and operation conditions.
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| Chemical cleaning and degassing refinery equipment |
Berthold Otzisk, Kurita Europe GmbH
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2008 / Q1 |
The safe removal of volatile hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide gas and pyrophoric iron sulphide from refinery equipment before inspection is indispensable. A chemical cleaning programme reduces downtime and the need for mechanical cleaning.
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| Advanced propane dehydrogenation |
Max Heinritz-Adrian and Sascha Wenzel, Uhde GmbH Fekry Youssef, Egyptian Propylene & Polypropylene Company
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2008 / Q1 |
Oxdehydrogenation-based on-purpose propane dehydrogenation can close the propylene supply-demand gap. Reactor design and the effect of thermodynamic equilibrium on conversion, volume and require compression are discussed.
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| Ethylen furnace heat flux correlations |
Joseph Colannino, John Zink Company LLC
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2008 / Q1 |
Equations are presented that correlate and predict heat flux as a function of operating, burner and furnace parameters for all major ethylene-cracking furnace configurations. Similarity relations correlate heat flux with elevation or temperature in test and field units.
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| Optimising petrochemical operations |
John Philpot and Alan J McCartney, KBC Process Technology Ltd
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2008 / Q1 |
Substantial increases in profit can be achieved in refinery/aromatics operations using methodology and modelling tools that incorporate multiple degrees of freedom regarding operating conditions, feedstock quality, recylces and co-product dispositions.
More
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| Evaluating process profitability |
Joseph McMullen, Invensys Process Systems
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2008 / Q1 |
Case studies from the energy industry explain strategies for extending the benefits of simulation and modelling across the value chain. Benefits include the ability to make the decision-making process more efficient using an intuitive bidirectional interface.
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| Evaluating FCC flue gas emission-control technologies |
Martin Evans, Intercat Inc
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2008 / Q1 |
Comparing technologies for reducing FCCU flue gas emissions. Special emphasis is placed on selecting cost-effective solutions, particularly in the area of minimising SOx, NOx, CO and particulate emissions from operations in either full-burn or partial-burn mode.
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| Optimising refinery CO2 emissions |
Mike Stockle, Daniel Carter and Lucy Jones, Foster Wheeler Energy Limited
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2008 / Q1 |
Assessing the impact of changing emissions costs. Case studies of typical European refinery configurations show how the inclusion of CO2 LP-based modelling costs can change operations in the short term and impact configurations in the longer term.
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| Reducing ether and biodiesel productions costs |
Amarjit Bakshi, Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
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2008 / Q1 |
Advantages of ethers produced through wet ethanol and biodiesel through vegetable oils as esters of hydrogenated vegetable oil provide major advantages in blending and fuel properties and meet the renewable fuels requirements.
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| Fast-tracking catalyst development |
Derek Atkinson, Oxford Catalysts
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2008 / Catalysis |
High throughput experimentation is helping to reduce the time required to commercialise new catalysts. The need to test the impact of a range of variables on catalyst performance makes it vital to consider all pathways that can minimise development time.
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| Increasing catalytic reforming yields |
Mark P Lapinski, Joe Zmich and Steve Metro, UOP Nungruetai Chaiyasit and Kosol Worasinsiri, PPTAR
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2008 / Catalysis |
Case study where a CCR Platforming process unit increased profitability by changing to a high-density catalyst. Higher aromatic yields and the ability to load new catalyst without a unit shutdown helped to justify the costs.
More
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| Increasing refinery biofuels production |
Kerry L Rock and Maurice Korpelshoek, CDTech
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2008 / Catalysis |
The benefits of producing bio-ethers with catalytic distillation compared to blending bio-ethanol are addressed. Options such as the conversion of MTBE units to ETBE production, combined with skeletal isomerisation, can provide higher volumes of high-octane gasoline.
More
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| Combining ULSD objectives with FCC pretreatment |
Lars Skyum, Haldor Topsoe A/S
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2008 / Catalysis |
Catalysts for ULSD and FCC pretreatment combine higher activity, better stability and lower hydrogenation consumption. This combination of catalyst functionalities becomes important when considering either direct desulphurisation or hydrogenation.
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| Cracked feed protection for HDS catalysts |
Randy Alexander and Nilanjan Brahma, Eurecat US Pierre Dufresne, Eurecat SA
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2008 / Catalysis |
It is now possible to process cracked feeds through a hydrotreater immediately after start-up without the risk of premature coke and gum formation, and excess temperature limits and hydrogen consumption.
More
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| Maximising ULSD with cracked feedstocks |
Charles Olsen and Brian Watkins, Grace Davison Woodrow K Shiflett, Advanced Refining Technologies
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2008 / Catalysis |
Balancing hydrogen consumption can give flexibility when processing cracked feedstocks. Case studies show the performance of a catalyst system combining CoMo- and NiMo-based formulations based on available hydrogen pressures and amount of LCO/LCGO feedstocks.
More
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| Tar sands oil upgrading technology |
Donald B Ackelson, UOP LLC
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2008 / Catalysis |
Technology for processing heavy crudes and bitumen-derived materials such as synthetic crude oil are examined, along with the challenges they present to primary and secondary refinery conversion units.
More
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| Reducing FCC unit NOx emissions |
Charles Radcliffe, Intercat Inc
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2008 / Catalysis |
Mechanisms of FCC unit Nox formation and logical steps to minimise these emissions are discussed. Performance examples at each state of operation using additives are provided.
More
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| More steam cracker integration options |
Vasant Bhirud, Ethylene Consultants
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2008 / Catalysis |
Recently developed catalytic-based technologies can improve steam cracker operations and economics. The integration of steam cracker operations with refinery and propane dehydrogenation operations is considered.
More
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| Gasification: a historical perspective |
Rene G Gonzalez, Editor, PTQ
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2008 / Gas |
Technical advances in IGCC technology, regulatory requirmenets, market dynamics and other factors affecting the integration of gasification technology into the energy value chain.
More
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| LPG recovery from low-pressure gas |
Robert A Mortko and Kevin L Currence, Black & Veatch
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2008 / Gas |
Low-pressure feed streams that were previously vented to flare or only used as fuel gas can now be economically processed, while also reducing plant carbon dioxide emissions and improving the quality of the plant fuel stream.
More
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| Curtailing refinery CO2 through H2 plant |
Sanjib Ratan and Roland van Uffelen, Technip
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2008 / Gas |
In addressing refinery CO2 management, some of the proven advanced solutions applied in the on-purpose hydrogen plants allow substantial CO2 curtailment through minimised 'involuntary'steam, internal heat recycle and captive integration.
More
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| Gasification/IGCC to improve refinery operations |
Brett P Goldhammer, Adrienne M Blume and Thomas W Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company
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2008 / Gas |
Gasification and IGCC in refineries is discussed in light of increased attention to CO2 emissions and environmental performance. Technological progress and commercial experience inside and outside refining will continue to advance gasification technology.
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| Availability assessment for a gas plant |
G Racioppi, G Monaci & C Michelassi, GE Oil & Gas
D Saccardi, ACM-e S.r.l O Borgia & F De Carlo, Florence University
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2008 / Gas |
An approach to availability assessment of a raw gas re-injection plant that includes a reliability block diagram technique in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulations. This approach allows for simultaneous evaluation of a plant systems' many different elements.
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| Acid gas enrichment I: Maximising selectivity |
Ralph H Weiland, Optimized Gas Treating Inc
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2008 / Gas |
Understanding AGE operation by examining effects of sour gas composition and solvent strength, including amine partial acidification, operating temperatures, type and total quantity of internals on residual H2S leak and Claus feed or reinjection gas quality.
More
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| Thermowells: performance under pressure |
Andrew Dunbabin, ABB Ltd
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2008 / Gas |
Thermowells must be properly designed and specified to withstand the pressure and stresses in a gas processing environment. Users should be aware of all the relevant standards, in order to guard against potentially disastrous failures.
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| Predicting densities of glycol solutions |
Alireza Bahadori, National Iranian South Oil Company Yasin Hajizadeh, Young Researchers Club Saeid Mokhatab, Tehran Raymand Consulting Engineers
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2008 / Gas |
Two new approaches for accurately predicting densities of glycols are discussed, including a correlation developed as a function of temperature and glycol's weight percent in water, and an approach based on artificial neural network algorithms.
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| Revamping a mild hydrocracker to an ULSD hydrotreater |
Hafedh Al-Qassab, Gregory M Lilburne, Savas Soydaner and Sayed Hamza Alawi, The Bahrain Petroleum Company BSC (c)
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2008 / Q2 |
Revamping a mild hydrocracker to a world-scale ULSD hydrotreater presented some unique design challenges and highlighted several factors that are key to success, including an experienced client team and strong licensor and contractor teams.
More
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| Unlocking current refinery constraints |
Rashid Iqbal, Asif Khan, Odette Eng and Raymond Floyd, KBR
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2008 / Q2 |
When processing heavy feeds, technology based on residuum supercritical solvent extraction provides higher volumes of gas oil and DAO for conversion units. Potential constraints through existing vacuum and coker units can also be resolved.
More
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| FCC regenerator design: part II |
Chris R Santner and Warren Letzsch, The Shaw Group
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2008 / Q2 |
Options for minimising catalyst deactivation and reducing emissions are discussed. In the previously published part I, catalyst deactivation in the regenerator was addressed. Here, regenerator design as it relates to regenerator emissions is considered.
More
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| Alarm management - the human factors challenge |
Rob Turner, ABB Global Consulting
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2008 / Q2 |
Refinery alarm systems are supposed to support the operation, yet in several notable accidents they have proved to be ineffective. Part of the problem is that these systems are not being designed or managed with human needs in mind.
More
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| Reducing FCC SOx in partial-burn regenerators |
Martin Evans, Intercat Inc
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2008 / Q2 |
Latest developments in SOx - reduction additives are discussed along with their relative merits and appropriate applications. Examples show how refineries have chosen to meet SOx emissions limits, and the rationale behind the choices made is explained.
More
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| Acid gas enrichment part II: maximising selectivity |
Ralph H Weiland, Optimized Gas Treating Inc
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2008 / Q2 |
By recycling about 70% of enriched gas back to the front end of an acid gas enrichment unit, an almost two-fold improvement in SRU feed quality can be enjoyed simply for the minimal cost of providing a recycle line and no increase in operating costs.
More
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| Managing integrity risks of aged assets |
Laza Krstin, Ron Hewson and David Stanier, ABB Global Consulting
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2008 / Q2 |
A practical approach to asset integrity management is provided along with an insight into a suitable methodology of how this can best be achieved. This includes all essential aspects of operations.
More
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| Minimising refinery costs using spiral heat exchangers |
Eva Andersson, Alfa Laval
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2008 / Q2 |
Case studies explore how fouling has been minimised or eliminated from high-fouling applications in oil refineries, such as the FCC and visbreaking bottoms cooling dutes. Performance of spiral heat exchangers is compared with shell and tube heat exchangers.
More
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| Conversion of syngas to diesel |
Stephane Fedou, Eric Caprani, Damien Douziech and Sebastien Boucher, Axens
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2008 / Q2 |
An overview of Fischer-Tropsch technologies for the production of diesel from syngas using a variety of feedstocks. Process technology, reactor design and catalyst requirements to achieve industral-scale diesel and petrochemical production are discussed.
More
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| Securing fuel supply and reducing GHG emissions |
A M Blume, T B Garrett, B P Goldhammer, E J Mace, M W Wunder and T W Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company
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2008 / Q2 |
Six strategic options are available to refiners to satisfy future energy and environmental requirements in the light of surging oil prices and public concerns over global warming, including refinery upgrades and revamps and the production of green fuels.
More
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| Turbomachinery assett management: part I |
Valter Quercioli, GE Oil & Gas
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2008 / Q2 |
As financial resources drive most business practices today, a clean understanding of the asset management levels for optimising the return on capital employed (ROCE) is mandatory for an operator to be successful with the owner and board of directors.
More
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| Improving crude unit heat integration |
Carmen Martinez Valino, Inigo Crespo Irizar, Ana Alcalde Bascones, Andrea Heins and Silvia Toccaceli, Repsol YPF
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2008 / Q2 |
An energy-saving programme conducted at Repsol YPF refineries helped to improve crude distillation unit heat integration. Various areas of in-house expertise were employed, including pinch analysis, heat integration and other strategies.
More
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| Online cleaning of production units |
Marcello Ferrara, ITW Srl
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2008 / Q2 |
Faster online cleaning avoids the production losses that occur when shutting down a unit for conventional cleaning. Other benefits, such as improved safety and longer run lengths, are also realised.
More
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| Applying relief load calculation methods |
Allan Arbo, Irving Oil Ltd Deon Van Der Merwe, Michelle Danielson and Mohamed Abouelhassan, Fluor Canada
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2008 / Q2 |
Case study compares dynamic simulation vs conventional unbalanced heat method for relief load calculations in a naphtha hydrotreater, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of each method and providing clarity where dynamic simulation should be pursued.
More
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| Improving refinery distillation operations |
Bernard Hagger, Foster Wheeler Energy Limited
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2008 / Q2 |
The outline of a route map or staged approach to unit process improvements, for better distillation, follows similar steps to those taken when installing advanced controls on a unit, and depends on individual needs and the benefits that can be delivered.
More
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| Impact of bitumen feeds on the FCCU: part I |
Keith A Couch, James P Glavin and Aaron O Johnson, UOP LLC
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2008 / Q3 |
The impact of processing bitumen-derived feeds on FCC operations and product yields is assessed, and the capital investments required to process varying quantities of bitumn feeds are discussed.
More
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| CO2 and refining trends and challenges |
John H Jenkins, Jacobs Consultantcy Inc
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2008 / Q3 |
A look at the refining industry as a carbon emitter from a process and chemistry standpoint. Data regarding the carbon/hydrogen content of various crudes and products are presented. CO2 controlling projects and their implementation are also discussed.
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| Effect of hydrocarbon partial pressure on FCC propylene |
Ruizhong Hu, Gordon Weatherbee, Hongbo Ma, Terry Roberie and Wu-Cheng Cheng, Grace Davison Refining Technologies.
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2008 / Q3 |
The results of a series of cracking experiments are discussed, where the hydrocarbon partial pressure was varied by altering the total reactor pressure, feed rate and amount of lift gas. Light olefin yields and gasoline sulphur are also considered.
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| Making the right investment choice |
Joseph R Jacobs Jr, Robert A Ohmes and Scott Sayles, KBC Advanced Technologies Inc.
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2008 / Q3 |
Gasoline or diesel? US market forces skew the product slate towards diesel, but each refiner's target market and required configuration are unique. A rigorous analysis methodology can help examine alternate configuration options.
More
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| Reducing benzene in gasoline |
Maarten J Almering, Kerry L Rock and Arvids Judzis, CDTECH
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2008 / Q3 |
The simultaneous processing of light reformate and light straight run is a cost-effective solution for more complete benzene reduction and the isomerisation of hydrogenated C5/C6, particularly with regard to MSAT II requirements.
More
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| Analysing economic viability of opportunity crudes |
Adrienne M Blume and Thomas Y Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company
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2008 / Q3 |
Challenges to refinery heavy oil upgrades are discussed. Demand for heavy and high-TAN crudes continues to rise as light sweet crude reserves decline. These upgrades will remain lucrative for refiners, provided they develop strategies for mitigating higher carbon emsissions.
More
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| Processing heavy ends: part I |
Phillip K Niccum and Aldrich H Northup, KBR
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2008 / Q3 |
The synergy of solvent deasphalting and FCC can provide economic access to heavy ends. Pilot plant data on bottom-of-the-barrel processing options are examined, which can be used as presented or combined with other options such as coking.
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| Biofuel economics, CO2 balance and energy efficiency |
Stephen McGovern and C K Lee, PetroTech Consultants
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2008 / Q3 |
When comparing biofuel processes, it is important to perform accurate and consistent material and energy balances, as these balances reveal the limitations of biofuels. Currently, petroleum requires the lowest capital investment.
More
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| Scenarios for Russian refinery modernisation |
Mikhail Levinbuk, Gubkin Russian State Oil and Gas University A Lebedev, Moscow Oil Refinery V L Kalachev, Scientific Manufacturing Corporation
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2008 / Q3 |
Effective strategies for placing high-value oil and petrochemical products from Russia into international markets can benefit from partnerships with Russian design, R&D institutes and leading Western engineering companies, together with proper funding.
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| Optimising a reactor's catalyst distribution |
S Reza Seif Mohaddecy, Islamic Azad University Sepehr Sadighi, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry
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2008 / Q3 |
Catalyst distribution in the semi-regenerative catalytic reforming reactors at the Tehran refinery, Iran, was studied, and optimised distribution for high RON was determined.
More
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| Improving crude vacuum unit performance |
Darius Remesat, Koch-Glitsch Canada LP
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2008 / Q3 |
When simulating or designing an unconventional heavy oil/bitumen vacuum crude unit, the sharing of operating data on cracked gas make, stripping section performance and indirect entrainment can help ensure designers make the right design choices.
More
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| Improving hydrotreater reactor performance |
Garry E Jacobs, Fluor Enterprises Inc
Gerianne D'Angelo, Advanced Refining Technologies
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2008 / Q3 |
Case study of a kerosene hydrotreater shows that combining new and old technologies - a unique inlet diffuser with Raschig rings - can significantly improve liquid distribution and catalyst utilisation when producing ultra-low-sulphur products in a trayless reactor.
More
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| Improving crude oil selection |
Pat Swafford and Rachel McCarthy, Spiral Software Ltd
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2008 / Q3 |
Advanced statistical techniques and models for predicting a crude oil's qualities can help refiners to better understand the changing quality of crude and speedily generate comprehensive, updated assays even from the current limited data available.
More
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| Implementing simulation-based training |
Ronald Smith, Chevron Products Company Dennis Nash, Control Station Inc
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2008 / Q3 |
Evolving best practices for the field operator of the future are being realised through process control simulation-based training. These initiatives help meet or exceed the challenges of existing corporate SOPs, while improving production performance.
More
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| Turbomachinery asset management: part II |
Valter Quercioli, GE Oil & Gas
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2008 / Q3 |
Classification of asset management services and descriptions of some of the most advanced services are discussed, including service categories and relationships with asset management effectiveness indices.
More
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| Revamps 2008: exceeding expectations |
Rene G Gonzalez
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2008 / Revamps |
Overall post-revamp performance is expected to be exceptional against a background of unexpected costs, larger infrastructure requirements and market pressures.
More
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| Leading mega projects and revamps |
Paul Hayes and Christne A de Vlaming, Fluor
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2008 / Revamps |
How to effectively lead a mega project, turnaround or revamp in a highly constrianed resource environment. The leadership approach for successfully delivering a project with an entire team in stretch roles is discussed.
More
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| Starting up a world scale ULSD hydrotreater |
Hafedh Al-Qassab, Gregory M Lilburne, Savas Soydaner, Sayed Hamza Alawi and Mark Jones, The Bahrain Petroleum Company BSC (c)
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2008 / Revamps |
During a successful ULSD hydrotreater revamp, valuable experience was gained in overcoming commissioning and post-start-up problems. Issues that emerged and lessons learned can be used to avoid pitfalls and enhance start-ups on similar projects.
More
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| Phased investment for H2S removal |
Jim Abbott and Vince A Row, Johnson Matthey Catalysts
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2008 / Revamps |
Awareness of H2S removal process steps and how they can be combined to reduce costs compared to the use of a single sweetening unit operation. Modular process design and a phased investment to project implementation can reduce capital spending.
More
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| Regenerator head replacement project |
John Payne, Foster Wheeler Energy Rob Tarbard and Peter Johnson, Esso Petroleum Company
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2008 / Revamps |
How one of the world's largest FCC regenerator heads with cyclones was removed and replaced during a 30-day turnaround. Meticulous attention to pre-planning aided by 3D modelling helped overcome tight space limitations and clearances during construction.
More
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| Identifying very small equipment leaks |
Dave Ferguson, Tracerco Troy Witherill
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2008 / Revamps |
Very small leaks in feed/effluent exchangers can be identified using chemical tracing. This online technique can detect leaks as low as 5.0 ppm, avoiding off-specification effluent and reducing the length of costly shutdowns.
More
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| Process design benefits of laser scanning |
Julie Martin, Foster Wheeler South Africa (Pty)
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2008 / Revamps |
The effectiveness of laser scanning and 3D modelling is considered from lessons learned in the field, providing better ways to capture process data. 3D modelling can enhance the process and piping partnership that is so critical to revamp project success.
More
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| Automated crude oil tank cleaning |
Carlos Legoretta, Oreco
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2008 / Revamps |
The benefits of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis to automated tank cleaning are discussed. Examples of tank cleaning in practice are provided by independent tank cleaning service providers who use automated non-man entry tank cleaning methods.
More
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| Online cleaning of process equipment |
Marcello Ferrara, ITW |
2008 / Revamps |
In the interest of time and cost savings, online cleaning prior to shutdown can reduce the duration and complexity of refinery turnarounds, as demonstrated in the following case studies.
More
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| LCO upgrading for increased distillate demand |
Rene Gonzales, Petroleum Technology Quarterly
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2008 / Q4 |
A shortage of straight-run diesel and other more desirable paraffinic feedstocks sees refiners turning to higher volumes of FCC light cycle oil to meet the growing demand for diesel, but not without challenges.
More
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| CO2 infrastructure development: CCS options |
Tim Bullen and Michael Stockle, Foster Wheeler
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2008 / Q4 |
How CCS options can be combined with linear programming to ensure optimum levels of CO2 reduction across the region. Capture schemes can be optimised against such targets as carbon price, injection gas requirements and total emissions.
More
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| Refinery water management |
Gert-Jan Fien, KBC Energy Services
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2008 / Q4 |
A holistic approach to refinery water management requires many aspects of the process and utility systems to work together. Waste minimisation and loss prevention for improving effluent water quality and rendering more water suitable for reuse are discussed.
More
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| Reducing FCC emissions without affecting reliability |
Rene G Gonzales, Petroleum Technolgoy Quarterly
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2008 / Q4 |
Both increasing demand for refined product and environmental regulations are affecting FCC operatons and require changes in equipment design. Operational concerns such as afternburn and hardware deterioration are but a few of the challenges.
More
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| FCC reactor design: part I |
Warren Letzsch, Chris Santner and Steve Tragesser, The Shaw Group
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2008 / Q4 |
An overview of the kinetics, important reaction mechanism consequences, fluidisation and hydrodynamics considered in the design of a FCC reactor, which is used to explain the reuslts seen in actual operations.
More
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| Impact of bitumen feeds on the FCCU: part II |
Keith A Couch, James P Glavin and Aaron O Johnson, UOP
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2008 / Q4 |
Refinery configuration optimisation through LP modelling identifies attractive investments for processing Western Canadian Select. These investments involve FCC, VGO hydrotreating or VGO hydrocracking.
More
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| Processing heavy ends: part II |
Phillip K Niccum and Aldrich H Northup, KBR
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2008 / Q4 |
Improvements in the SDA technology incorporated into ROSE units, together with expanding options for asphaltene product utilisation, have led to an increased rate of capacity for producing high-quality FCC feedstocks from asphaltenes.
More
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| Alkylation with solid acid catalyst |
Emiel H van Broekhoven and Edwin van Rooijen, Albemarle Catalysts Company
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2008 / Q4 |
Results of an environmentally friendly alkylation process using a variety of olefinic feedstocks to produce clean gasoline are discussed. Operating conditions, energy concumption, product purity and uutilisation of existing assets are considered.
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| Strategies for infrastructure reliability |
Thomas Kline and George Fischer, Structural Preservation Systems.
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2008 / Q4 |
Case studies assess the effects of civil infrastructure deterioration on a plant-wide basis or on a critical specific structural level, including the importance of employing an engineered approach to crumbling infrastructure challenges.
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| LP modelling for profit maximisation |
Reza Seif Mohaddecy, Islamic Azad University Sepehr Sadighi, M Bahmani and S Zahedi, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry
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2008 / Q4 |
Optimisation of a feed blender, CDU, VDU, visbreaker and product blender under changing feed specificiations. Central composite experimental design and response surface methodology are used to obtain a second-degree polynomial model for maximising profitability.
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| Offshore LNG industry developments |
Saeid Mokhatab, Tehran Raymand Consulting Engineers Adrian Finn, Costain Oil, Gas & Process Kamal Shah, Aker Solutions
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2008 / Q4 |
Recent developments in the LNG industry have improved the economic viability of offshore liquefaction processing, making it competitive with onshore processing plants. Three LNG experts focus on future developments in the offshore LNG industry.
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| Effective use of integrity management |
Keith R Lewis, Maarten M Festen, Andrew Saunders-Tack, Andre Blaauw, Simon Marsh and John T Reynolds, Shell Global Solutions.
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2008 / Q4 |
An overview of the many linked and interdependent corrosion and integrity management work processes, methodologies and tools for ensuring refining and petrochemical plant integrity and availability.
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| Improving process control with TDL technology |
Sam Miller, SpectraSensors, Inc
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2008 / Q4 |
Ultra-fast and highly accurate TDL-based analysers are replacing conventional sensors at refineries and gas processors, saving on maintenance while providing enhanced control over process integrity.
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| Staged FCCU main fractionator revamp |
Darius Remesat, Koch-Glitsch Canada Michael Popowick, CCRL
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2008 / Q4 |
A refinery column is debottlenecked in steps to address operational concerns and strategic goals. Understanding the site specific operational nuances and developming a representative revamp plan to accommodate the maintenance plan improves the project's success.
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| Refining high acid crudes |
Brian D Chambers, Honeywell Process Solutions Russell D Kane, iCorrosion
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2008 / Q4 |
Assessing crude oil corrosivity based on sulphidic and naphthenic acid corrosion. A revised procedure includes analysis, testing and a corrosion model that takes into account critical parameters for the evaluation of operational risk, unit upgrading and maintenance planning.
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