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| FCC reactor design: part II |
Warren Letzsch, Chris Santner and Steve Tragesser, Shaw Energy & Chemicals Group
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2009 / Q1 |
In part I, reaction kinetics, cracking chemistry, pressure balance, catalyst andvapour residence times, and fluidisation were considered. In part II, feed injection technology and riser termination devices to minimise dilute-phase cracking are reviewed.
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| Stabilisation of asphaltenes |
Berthold Otzisk and Hermann Kempen, Kurita Europe
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2009 / Q1 |
Asphaltenes can plug refinery equiment and can decrease or stop production. Stabilisation of asphaltene particles is an efficient and cost-effective way to avoid undesired asphaltene agglomeration or precipitation.
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| Maximising diesel recovery from crude |
Scott W Golden, Process Consulting Services Inc
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2009 / Q1 |
The CDU/VDU process flow scheme is reviewed, including equipment design and operating fundamentals used to maximise straight-run diesel recovery. Factors important to increasing diesel yield are discussed in detail.
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| Online cleaning improves operational excellence |
Marcello Ferrara, ITW
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2009 / Q1 |
Online cleaning, followed by degassing and decontamination, can result in a significant reduction in downtime, increased run length, operation under cleaner conditions and potential avoidance of a turnaround, leading to an increase in production.
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| Increasing FCC yields with oxygen enrichment |
Jack Olesen, Praxair
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2009 / Q1 |
With the demand for diesel increasing faster than that for gasoline and other refined products, an increase in FCC distillate yield can provide a low-cost route to capturing margins opportunities. Oxygen enrichment can help to achieve these goals.
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| New roles for FCCU: carbon capture unit and coke gasifier |
Erich J Mace, Adrienne M Blume and Thomas W Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company
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2009 / Q1 |
Environmental and energy security concerns may evoke new roles for the FCCU in addition to the production of liquid fuels and light olefins. Gasification and carbon capture are two such possiblities.
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| Oil sands industry status |
Tony Pavone, SRI Consulting
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2009 / Q1 |
The steady progress made in the oil sands industry up to Q3 2008 will eventually resume. For now, an examination of the favourable market conditions and upgrading scenarios that are required for future profitability are presented.
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| Beyond turnaround planning |
Brian Cormier, Resource Development Company Charles F Gillard, C F Gillard and Asscoociates
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2009 / Q1 |
Utilising process and unit-specific knowledge transfer to improvide turnaround execution. A better approach is needed to ensure the transfer of critical event information to an experience and discipline-diverse workforce.
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| Improving VGO hydrotreater operation |
Darius Remesat, Koch-Glitsch Canada
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2009 / Q1 |
A practical, industrial data-derived tool can give refinerys confidence in simulating the actual benefits of additional hydrogen for improved VGO hydrotreater performance. A lumped parameter dynamic simulation modelling approach is employed.
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| Clean diesel hydrotreating |
Ed Palmer, Stan Polcar and Anne Wong, Mustang Engineering
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2009 / Q1 |
Design considerations for clean diesel hydrotreating. Critical issues are discussed when designing a hydrotreating facility to produce diesel fuel with very low levels of total sulphur.
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| Pygas upgrading for European steam crackers |
Joseph C Gentry and Meijuan Zeng, GTC Technology
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2009 / Q1 |
Upgrading secondary by-products from naphtha-based steam crackers is an economic imperative that should take into consideration available process options such as extractive distillation to recover styrene from pygas.
More
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| Control of primary fractionator fouling |
Bob Presenti, Dan Frye and Sandra Linares-Samaniego, Nalco Company
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2009 / Q1 |
Optimal operation and chemical treatment of primary fractionators requires an in-depth knowledge of many parameters. A combination of analytical tools and benchmarking information can help predict fouling severity.
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| Reducing FCC regenerator emissions |
Chris Kuehler, Pieter van de Gender and Subramani Ramachandran, Albemarle Corporation
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2009 / Q1 |
There are several ways of meeting emission limits, but SOx and NOx reduction additives are very attractive as they require little or no capital investment and have reasonable operating costs, resulting in an overall lower cost than a WGS or SCR.
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| SO2 scrubbing in refinery applications |
Rich W Birnbaum, Cansolv Technologies
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2009 / Q1 |
Emissions control and by-product capture can add value from flue gas streams generated by FCCU, process heaters, sulphur plants and spent acid regeneration units. Process flow sheet information and utility consumption guidelines are presented for an SO2 scrubbing system.
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| Hycrocracking and hydrotreating developments |
Rene Gonzalez
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2009 / Catalysis |
Current emphasis on middle distillate production requires the expansion of hydroprocessing capabilities affecting reactor and catalyst design. Increased diesel yields depend on the ability to effectively upgrade cracked feedstocks and LCO, while eliminating fuel oil production.
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| Increasing olefins yield |
Jose Maria Aguilar and J M Leon Gil, CEPSA Gibraltar-San Roque refinery Fernando Sanchez Arandilla, Grace Davison
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2009 / Catalysis |
Plant data show how an FCCU's propylene yield is maximised while minimising its dry gas and slurry yield at a CEPSA refinery. An integrated catalyst system was used to process high nickel-containing feedstock to avoid fuel gas system limits.
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| Reducing NOx emission from FCC regenerators |
Ye-Mon Chen and David Brosten, Shell Global Solutions (US)
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2009 / Catalysis |
Cast study demonstrates the performance of new technology for reducing NOx emissions in regenerator flue gas. The new developments reduce NOx emissions whether the FCCU is operating in full- or partical-burn mode
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| Impact of low-sulphur bunkers on refineries |
Mike Stockle and Tina Knight, Foster Wheeler Energy Limited
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2009 / Catalysis |
Proposed IMO global sulphur specifications on bunker fuels market and options available to reduce fuel oil sulphur are reviewed. The impact of these options on refinery operations are examined with case studies of a typical European refinery.
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| Continued gains in FCC pretreating: part I |
Desiree J De Haan, Andy Shivaram and Kevin D Carlson, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies
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2009 / Catalysis |
Cast studies show where users are achieving significant gains in system capability, flexibility and economics. Also discussed are catalyst system loadings that reduce the need for low-activity demetallisation catalysts traditionally required to process heavier feeds.
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| Mercury removal in hydrocarbon streams |
Steve Catchpole, Johnson Matthey Catalysts
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2009 / Catalysis |
The presence of mercury in refinery hydrocarbon streams results in detrimental effects, including catalyst poisoning, corrosion and safety issues. Absorbent technology for effective mercury removal is described with case studies and actual operating experience.
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| Producing propylene glycol from biomass |
Tony Pavone, SRI Consulting
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2009 / Catalysis |
Process and catalytic considerations for producing propylene glycol from glycerin-derived biomass sources are compared to current conventional sources, while economic factors and potential markets are discussed.
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| Increasing ULSD production with current assets |
Bob Leliveld, Albemarle Catalyst Company BV Steven Mayo, Albemarle Corporation
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2009 / Catalysis |
An understanding of the detailed kinetics in ultra-low sulphur diesel hydrotreaters yields an optimal catalyst system for higher throughput, increased cycle length and lower reactor temperature.
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| Strategies for gas treatment with adsorbents |
Scott Northrop, ExxonmMobil Upstream Research Company Narasimhan Sundaram, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering
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2009 / Gas |
Advances in regenerable, solid-bed adsorption processes for natural gas dehydration and treating can improve selectivity and cut input energy costs.
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| Selecting gas treating technologies |
W G "Trey" Brown, Newpoint Gas
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2009 / Gas |
Advances in gas treatment technologies over the past ten to 20 years have widened the range of economically recoverable gas sources.
More
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| Treating high CO2 gases with MDEA |
Jenny Seagraves, Ineos Oxide Ralph H Wiland, Optimized Gas Treating
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2009 / Gas |
Using MDEA as a solvent for high levels of CO2 removal requires careful process modelling using accurate simulation.
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| Modelling to optimise natural gas dehydration |
Henry Rastelli and Julie Stiltner Shadden, UOP, A Honeywell Company
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2009 / Gas |
Computer modelling can help processors to understand the severity of conditions in molecular sieves used for the dehydration of natural gas.
More
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| Conversion of natural gas to liquid fuels |
Chris Cunningham
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2009 / Gas |
Companies aiming to bring gas to liquids projects to the commercial stage have encountered variable success.
More
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| Catalytic oxygen removal from coal mine methane |
Gary Trotter, Oil & Gas Equity Management Zane Rhodes, Newpoint Gas
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2009 / Gas |
A catalytic combustion process for oxygen removal enables maximum production of sales gas from an unconventional source of methane.
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| Clean coal technology for fuel gas |
Andrew Williams, Advantica
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2009 / Gas |
The high prices of oil and natural gas, coupled with ease of carbon capture, favour coal gasification for fuel gas supplies.
More
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| FCC fundamentals: turnaround best practices |
Ziad S Jawad, Shaw Energy & Chemicals Group
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2009 / Q2 |
Basic procedures and activities are presented for the unit engineer and other support personnel, designed to ensure a successful and safe FCC turnaround.
More
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| Improving energy efficiency |
Brendan P Sheehan, Honeywell Process Solutions Xin (Frank) Zhu, UOP, A Honeywell Company
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2009 / Q2 |
Major opportunities for energy efficiency and reduction of GHG emissions with a refinery/petrochemical complex are identified. Work process methodology for capturing these opportunities is proposed.
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| Design challenges for future CO2 pipelines |
Paul Andrews and Sub Parkash, Fluor UK John Barrie and Peter Hatcher, Fluor Canada
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2009 / Q2 |
Overview of some design issues that need to be considered when planning, engineering and constructing pipelines to transport CO2 in its supercritical state from process facilities to remote storage.
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| FCC catalysts for resid processing |
Simon Reitmaier, Daniel McQueen and Colin Baillie, Grace Davison Refining Technologies.
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2009 / Q2 |
The diversifying feedstock scenario for FCCU operations has resulted in significant growth in the resid feed sector. Case studies describe how FCC catalyst developments are being utilised to process increasingly heavier feedstocks.
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| Hydrocracker parametric sensitivity study |
Mjid Bahmani, Tarbiat Moalem University
Reza Seif Mohaddecy, Sepehr Sadighi and Maryam Mashayekhi, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry.
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2009 / Q2 |
Product yields and hydrogen consumption were predicted using a discreet lumping model. The model was used to study unit responses to changes in operating conditions, to show that small changes in catalyst loading and recyle ratio can significantly improve yields.
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| Optimising crude unit design |
Soun Ho Lee and Ian Buttridge, GTC Technology Jay J Ha, GS Caltex Corporation
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2009 / Q2 |
Real retrofit examples demonstrate how crude units can be successfully optimised with the crude slates currently being processed. Process design strategies are discussed in detail and highlight how retrofit targets are achieved.
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| Visbreaker optimisation: a step change |
Marc Rijkaart, Mario Vanacore and Christopher Russell, Nalco Europe.
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2009 / Q2 |
Optimising visbreakers is not just a matter of monitoring and adding chemicals. Opportunity crudes demand a more integrated approach. Linking field results with research simulation adds another critical dimension that can boost visbreaking economics.
More
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| Hydrogen-induced cracking and blistering |
Berthold Otzisk and Agnoula Gourzoulidou, Kurita Europe Frank Dean, Ion Science Klaus Bernemann, Evonik Oxeno
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2009 / Q2 |
Hydrogen damage to steel is a well-known consequence of corrosion in sour service. A corrosion inhibitor program can reduce hydrogen entry into the metal. This decreases or eliminates hydrogen damage, resulting in higher profitability and plant availability.
More
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| Continued gains in FCC pretreating: part II |
Desiree J deHaan, Andy Shivaram and Kevin D Carlson, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies.
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2009 / Q2 |
Case studies show the application of MHC systems in FCC pretreaters to increase middle distillate yields, while achieving reasonable conversion and cycle length. These systems offer stable operations at high temperatures and moderate pressures using low-quality feed.
More
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| Ambient conditions impact CO and NOx emissions: part I |
Wesley R Bussman and Charles E Baukal, Jr, John Zink
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2009 / Q2 |
Changing ambient conditions can impact CO and NOx emissions without proper process adjustments. A wide range of operating conditions show how these emissions can be affected by ambient condition changes for fuel gas-fired natural draft process heaters.
More
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| Cost-effective and reliable revamps |
Scott W Golden, Tony Barletta and Steve White, Process Consulting Services
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2009 / Q2 |
Test run hydraulic measurements and analysis, in conjunction with fundamental principles and equipment know-how, can help refiners to identify profitable, low-cost revamp opportunities.
More
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| Reliability vs recovery for delayed coking fractionators |
Darius Remesat, Koch-Glitsch Canada
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2009 / Q2 |
When selecting tower internals, numerous choices are available for coker main fractionator configurations, each offering benefits and trade-offs. Some of these choices are discussed along with insight into the internals features that can be provided in any coker fractionator.
More
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| Post-combustion capture of CO2 |
Abhilash Menon, Markus Duss and Christian Bachmann, Sulzer Chemtech.
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2009 / Q2 |
Case study of a generic amine-based absorption process. A lifecycle cost analysis for a power plant over a 40-year span clearly shows the advantages of structured packing over random packing.
More
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| Competitive driving force for integration |
Sanjeev Kapur and Shankar Vaidyanathan, Fluor Corporation
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2009 / Q3 |
Case study for refinery-petrochemical integration. Product portfolio diversification in integrated complexes will increase the production of higher value products.
More
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| Troubleshooting complex FCCU issues |
Jack R Wilcox, Albemarle Corporation
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2009 / Q3 |
Identifying the leading causes of FCCU feed outages and unscheduled shutdowns, including unexplained or increasing catalyst losses and erratic catalyst circulation.
More
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| Ambient conditions impact CO and NOx emissions: part II |
Wesley R Bussman and Charles Baukal Jr, John Zink Co LLC
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2009 / Q3 |
Effects of air temperature and humidity on burner NOx emissions are discussed, including considerations for factoring in these effects.
More
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| Multiple corrosion mechanisms in crude distillation overhead system |
George Duggan and Randy Rechtien, Baker Hughes Lionel Roberts, Irving Oil
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2009 / Q3 |
Extensive troubleshooting efforts determine distinct corrosion mechanisms simultaneously attacking multiple areas of an atmospheric tower overhead system.
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| Residue value upgrade opportunities |
Bill Howe and Jason Miles, Quadrise Fuels International
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2009 / Q3 |
Overview of a process for upgrading residue to an emulsion-based fuel and the results of refinery manufacture, handling and combustion in a supercritical boiler.
More
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| Passivation of ethylene cracker transfer line heat exchangers |
Abbass A Ezzat, Egyptian Petrochemicals Company
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2009 / Q3 |
Case study based on four years of applying DEHA-based passivation treatment technology to the TLEs of Egyptian Petrochemicals' ethylene crackers.
More
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| Coal liquids as refinery feedstock |
Katerina Deem and Scott Sayles, KBC Advanced Technologies Inc
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2009 / Q3 |
Is the refining industry ready for coal liquids processing? Case study shows potential benefits of processing upgraded coal liquids in a high complexity refinery.
More
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| Hydrocracking catalyst and processing developments |
Robert Wade, Jim Vislocky, Theo Maesen and Dan Torchia, Chevron Lummus Global
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2009 / Q3 |
Improvements to hydrocracking catalyst activity and selectivity at various operational and feedstocks conditions are discussed.
More
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| Additives for real-time FCC catalyst optimisation |
Ray Fletcher and Martin Evans, Intercat
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2009 / Q3 |
The ability to optimise the circulating inventory composition remains an elusive independent variable. A solution to this often overlooked variable is discussed.
More
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| Surviving the global economic and legislative tsunamis |
Patrick J Christensen, Thomas B Garrett, Brett P Goldhammer, Erich J Mace and Thomas W Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company.
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2009 / Q3 |
Changes and challenges are sweeping the refining industry into a new era. Primary processing units will remain essential, but their roles will change drastically.
More
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| Future road map for shale gas |
Chirag Shah and Priyanka Kumar, Evaluserve.
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2009 / Q3 |
As the process industry contemplates future availability of hydrocarbon feedstocks, shale gas could provide an added option to its mix of sources.
More
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| Predicting CO combustor performance |
Tek Sutikno, Fluor Corporation
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2009 / Q3 |
Detailed description of a CO to CO2 reaction kinetic model for estimating performance of an RFCCU CO combustor.
More
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| Improving turbocompressor availability |
Filippo Cinelli, Riccardo Valorosi, Gianni Mochi, Antonio Pumo and Dante Sabella, GE Oil & Gas
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2009 / Q3 |
Modular replacement maintenance can reduce major overhaul downtime by nearly 50% and time between combustion and major overhauls can also be extended.
More
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| Improving asset performance and process safety |
Roy E Whitt, Meridium
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2009 / Q3 |
How to achieve effective risk management and excellence in plant reliability and safety through asset performance management.
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| FCC flue gas scrubber alternatives: part I |
John Sawyer, Hanif Lakhani, Kurt Schuttenberg and Lindsay Mcrae, Pall Corporation Ray Fletcher and Martin Evans, Intercat
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2009 / Q3 |
The merits of combining additives and barrier filters as a cost-effective and highly efficient way of meeting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions targets.
More
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| Romanian refiner adopts electronic learning to raise efficiency |
Cristinela Budin, Rompetrol Refinery Brian Cormier, Resource Development Company Arun Palit, Solomon Associates
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2009 / Q4 |
Following Romania's accession to the EU, a local refiner reassessed its approach to training to ensure a supply of skilled operators.
More
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| Flexible solutions for increased diesel production |
Robert Karlin and Aris Macris, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc Raul Adarme and Kathy Wu, Criterion Catalyst & Technologies LP
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2009 / Q4 |
Distillation changes and optimised hydroprocessing units represent a broad range of technical and economic options for increasing production of diesel.
More
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| Has the time for partial upgrading of heavy oil and bitumen arrived? |
Jim Colyar, Colyar Consultants
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2009 / Q4 |
Partial or field upgrading of heavy oil produces transportable synthetic crude oil and eliminates the need for diluents for transportation to refiners.
More
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| Upgrading residues for high levels of distillate production |
Dan Gillis, Mark Vanwees and Paul Zimmerman, UOP
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2009 / Q4 |
A slurry hydrocracking reactor technology demonstrates a high level of conversion of vacuum residues to distillate and gasoline.
More
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| Strategies for increasing production of light cycle oil |
David Hunt, Ruizhong Hu, Hongbo Ma, Larry Langan and Wu-Cheng Cheng, Grace Davison
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2009 / Q4 |
Refineries should consider several strategies, including recycle and enhanced catalyst activity, to increase LCO output from the FCCU while minimising bottoms production
More
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| Wireless technology in the refinery |
Jeff Becker and Jerry Stanek, Honeywell Process Solutions
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2009 / Q4 |
Wireless data gathering can mean lower capital costs and gains in efficiency, provided the limitations of available bandwidth are taken into consideration.
More
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| Catalytic cracking process enhances production of olefins |
Dalip Soni and M Rama Rao, Lummus Technology G Saidulu, D Bhattacharyya and V K Satheesh, Indian Oil Corporation
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2009 / Q4 |
A FCC technology and catalyst formulation selectively crack a wide range of feeds, including residue, to yield high quantities of light olefins.
More
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| FCC gasoline and C4 streams for BTX production |
Joseph Gentry and Weihua Jin, GTC Technology
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2009 / Q4 |
An extractive distillation process provides direct recovery of aromatics from FCC gasoline to rebalance refinery production towards higher levels of petrochemicals.
More
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| Developing standards in refinery energy management |
Herve Closon and Ulrika Wishing, Belsim Jean-Claude Noisier, Societe Ivoirienne de Raffinage
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2009 / Q4 |
Precise validation and reconciliation of site data is required for an effective energy management system in a refinery.
More
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| Real-time refinery energy manangement |
Diego Ruiz, Carlos Ruiz and Fernan Serralunga, Soteica
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2009 / Q4 |
An online model installed at Repsol Cartagena refinery enables optimal balance between internal energy production and demand.
More
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| FCC flue gas scrubber alternatives: part II |
John Sawyer, Hanif Lakhani, Kurt Schuttenberg and Lindsay McRae, Pall Corporation Ray Fletcher and Martin Evans, Intercat
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2009 / Q4 |
The merits of combining additives and barrier filters as a cost-effective alternative to meeting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions targets.
More
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| Opportunities for increasing on-demand light cycle oil |
Ray Fletcher, Intercat
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2009 / Q4 |
Swift response to demand for higher LCO yields from the FCCU may involve optimising variable parameters and employing a bottoms cracking additive.
More
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| Salt deposition in FCC gas concentration units |
Michel Melin, Colin Baillie and Gordon McElhiney, Grace Davison Refining Technologies Europe
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2009 / Q4 |
Various operational problems can arise when ammonium chloride deposition occurs in FCC gas concentration units, and there is a range of likely causes.
More
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| Enchancing heat transfer in Texas Towers |
Peter Ellerby and Peter Droegmueller, Cal Gavin ltd Edgar Vazquex-Ramirez and Graham Polley, University of Guanajuato Sebastian Erlenkaemper, BP
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2009 / Revamps |
Retrofit technology enhances heat recovery in feed-effluent exchangers, increases throughput, reduces furnace load and provides cost benefits
More
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| Stepwise simulation of vacuum transfer line hydraulics |
Harry Ha, Fluor Canada Matthew Reisdorf, Fluor Enterprises Abdulla Harji, Fluor Canada
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2009 / Revamps |
A stepwise hydrauliic calculation determines the pressure profile of a vacuum transfer line by linking the hydraulic model to process simulation results.
More
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| Revamping hydrogen and sulphur plants to meet future challenges |
Adrienne Blume, Patrick Christensen, Brett Goldhammer and Thomas Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company
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2009 / Revamps |
Revamp opportunities for hydrogen and sulphur plant operations in the era of clean fuels production offer significant benefits for refiners.
More
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| A novel process to reduce aromatics and benzene in reformates |
Mikhail Levinbuk, A Meling, V Zuber and A Lebedev, Moscow Oil Refinery V Khavkin, All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Petroleum Processing
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2009 / Revamps |
A catalytic scheme for reducing the aromatics and benzene content in reformates without octane barrel loss uses existing reforming units at Moscow Oil Refinery.
More
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| Hydroprocessing upgrades to meet changing fuels requirements |
Jay Parekh and Harjeet Virdi, Chevron Lummus Global
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2009 / Revamps |
Adapting installed hydroprocessing units through a variety of schemes enables refiners to shift their fuels slates to meet changing demand and specifications.
More
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| CFD Study of a VDU feed inlet device and wash bed |
Debangsu Ray, Indian Oil Corporation Ajay Arora and Anne Phanikumar, Sulzer Chemtech
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2009 / Revamps |
Analysis of vapour velocity profiles at the entry to the wash zone of a VDU column enables a higher feed rate and improved output quality
More
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| Application of CFD and NOx reduction |
Shahebaz Mulla and G Raman, Technip USA
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2009 / Revamps |
A study of parameters affecting Nox formation in an ageing boiler unit confirmed the measures needed to meet emissions targets.
More
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