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Refinery design in China |
Sun Lili, Sinopec Engineering Incorporation |
2013 / Q1 |
Poor-quality crude oils and strict environmental regulations promote the use of technologies that favour energy savings and environmental protection. More
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Maximising ethane in liquids crackers |
Muhammad Imran, Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology |
2013 / Q1 |
Economics for energy and feedstock supply favour ethane feed cracking, but plant constraints must be examined rigorously before maximum ethane feeds are pursued. More
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Tracking performance degradation in a debutaniser column |
Ali Abdulal, Vinod Ramaseshan and Stanley Gustas III, Saudi Aramco
Horia Orenstein, Mohammad Kurdi and Andrey Gaskov, SAS Middle East |
2013 / Q1 |
A project applying statistical and data mining techniques to historical operating data identified the root causes of a debutaniser's poor performance. More
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Operator training simulator for a multi-product fuels pipeline |
Santosh Alladwar, Cordell Chapman, Billy Mayo, Surajit Dasgupta and Javier Vazquez-Esparragoza, KBR
Daniel Vogt, Krohne Oil & Gas
Keone Jackman, Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd
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2013 / Q1 |
An operator training simulator for a fuel products pipeline system was developed and delivered before the pipeline was completed to train personnel in operations More
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Refinery Operations gain from advances in digital automation |
Tim Olsen, Emerson Process Management |
2013 / Q1 |
Advances in digital automation can better enable the next generation of refinery workers to operate more efficiently, reliably and safely More
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Controlling film temperature in fired heaters |
Jinyu Jiao, Yuriy Morayko, Morten Theilgaard and Michael Ho, Worley-Parsons Canada |
2013 / Q1 |
Film temperature control is critical to the successful design of fired heaters, especially for heaters employed in upgrading heavy feedstocks More
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High-capacity tray for debottlenecking a crude distillation unit |
Kaushik Majumder, Shell Projects & Technology
Giuseppe Mosca, Sulzer Chemtech
Kent Mahon, Refining NZ
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2013 / Q1 |
Use of ultra-high-capacity trays in the most constrained section of a CDU enabled over a 50% increase in throughput at less cost than other debottlenecking options More
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Steam reformers for hydrogen and synthesis gas |
Norm Pelletier and Goutam Shahani, Selas Fluid Processing Corporation, a division of Linde Engineering |
2013 / Q1 |
Modern steam methane reformer design is a complex process that needs to be carefully optimised in terms of capital and operating costs More
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VDU vacuum system revamp |
Ahmet Bebek, Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation |
2013 / Q1 |
Revamping a VDU's vacuum system delivered operational improvements in a refinery, but also led to safer and more efficient handling of non-condensed gases More
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Reducing carbon emissions with antifoulants |
India Nagi-Hanspal, Mahesh Subramaniyam, Parag Shah and James Noland, Dorf Ketal Chemicals |
2013 / Q1 |
Carbon emission regulations make refinery operation more costly, but appropriate antifoulant treatment and monitoring can reduce these costs substantially More
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Towards a zero (net) carbon refinery |
Michael Stockle, Foster Wheeler |
2013 / Q1 |
Review of options for refiners to reduce the carbon emissions from their refineries. The technologies already exist to develop a refinery that has zero net emissions More
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Modular design of smaller-scale GTL plants |
Kenneth Roberts, Velocys |
2013 / Q1 |
Modularisation is opening up opportunities for GTL plants to monetise small-scale natural gas deposits both on- and offshore More
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Starting up hydrotreating units with cracked feeds |
Randy Alexander, Reinder Van Bruggen and Pierre Dufresne, Eurecat US |
2013 / Q1 |
A catalyst sulphiding process enables the introduction of cracked or heavy feeds to HDS units without the recommended three-day delay following changeover More
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Optimising a process scheme for platforming heaters |
Adil Rehman, Suman Pachal, Shyam K Choudhary, Ugrasen Yadav and M K E Prasad, Technip KT India |
2013 / Q1 |
Thermal imbalance resulting from an existing process scheme for CCR platforming furnaces is addressed by process schemes for distributing heat load more uniformly More
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Improved hydrogen yield in catalytic reforming |
Roberto Amadei, Chemical & Energy Development |
2013 / Q1 |
A process step that sends higher-boiling C6 hydrocarbons to light tops isomerisation delivers an increase in hydrogen production from naphtha catalytic reforming More
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Advances in FCC pretreament catalysis |
Bill Gillespie, Alexei Gabrielov, Thomas Weber and Larry Kraus, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies |
2013 / Catalysis |
Performance data for a new FCC pretreat catalyst show a substantial advance in HDS and HDN activity More
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New catalyst increases FCC distillate yield |
Carl Keeley, Jeremy Mayol, Stefano Riva and Vasileios Komvokis, BASF Corporation, Refining Catalysts
Stephen Challis, Chalcat Consulting |
2013 / Catalysis |
A FCC trial with a new residue maximum distillate catalyst provided an improved yield structure at a similar fresh catalyst addition rate and rare earth level More
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Best practices for SOx emissions control |
Ray Fletcher, Intercat |
2013 / Catalysis |
Applying the key elements of experience gained since the introduction of SOx reducing additives for FCC operations More
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Catalysts for hydrogen management |
Ross Brunson, Uwe Flessner and Paige Morse, Clariant |
2013 / Catalysis |
Use and optimisation of high-performance catalysts are an important tool to increase hydrogen supply in a refinery More
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Extending the lifecycle of hydroprocessing catalyst |
Roland Hoffman and Bob Leliveld |
2013 / Catalysis |
The economic downturn has put pressure on refiners to look for opportunities to reduce expenses and maintain margins, particularly with their catalysts More
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Predicting FCC unit performance with laboratory testing |
Kenneth Bryden, Grace Catalysts Technologies |
2013 / Catalysis |
Proper simulation of e-cat and reaction conditions is critical for modelling future FCC unit operations More
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Refining refiners' spent catalysts |
B J Stephan, Gulf Chemical and Metallurgical Corporation |
2013 / Catalysis |
Spent catalyst is the raw material for a recycling opreation that delivers fresh catalyst and specialist metals More
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Tackling the gasoline/middle distillate imbalance |
Marielle Gagniere, Annick Pucci and Emilie Rousseau, Axens |
2013 / Q2 |
An oligomerisation technology can produce a significant increase in middle distillate production More
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Strategies to control sediment and coke in a hydrocracker |
Marco Respini, Silvia Ekres and Bruce Wright, Baker Hughes
Robert Zajdlik, Slovnaft |
2013 / Q2 |
Fouling control techniques enabled an ebullated-bed resid hydrocracker to operate at high severity while the rate of fouling of critical areas was controlled More
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Simulation of bitumen upgrading processes |
Anton Alvarez-Majmutov and Jinwen Chen, CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada
Mugurel Munteanu, WorleyParsons |
2013 / Q2 |
Two bitumen upgrading processes currently used in the Canadian oil sands industry were investigated using modelling and simulation techniques More
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Insulating tank terminals |
Peter Boon, Pentair Thermal Management |
2013 / Q2 |
Energy-efficient tank insulation systems result in lower energy costs, less maintenance, and a prolonged lifespan of contents and equipment More
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Understanding thermal oxidisers |
Peter Pickard and Kevin McQuigg, Zeeco |
2013 / Q2 |
Dealing with common misconceptions on the design of vapour and liquid waste thermal oxidiser systems More
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Diagnostic tools and control parameters for refinery heaters |
Yahya Aktas, Hakan Oguz, Guray Aksu, Dogus Uzun and Muammer Sever, Tupras Izmir Refinery |
2013 / Q2 |
To optimise or manage furnace operation more effectively and safely, engineers and operators need to understand and control the entire process. More
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Minimising the cost of hydrogen production |
Lorena Mosca, Palma Contaldo, Menica Antonelli and Paola Volpi, Tecnimont KT |
2013 / Q2 |
Feed and fuel costs or the demand for export steam drive the choice of plant architecture and operating parameters in SMR hydrogen production More
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Options for biojet fuel |
Jitendra Kumar Satyarthi, Chiranjeevi Thota, Gokak Dattatraya Tammanna Shastry and Poyyamani Swaminatha Viswanathan, Bharat Petroleum Corporation |
2013 / Q2 |
A refiner reviews the available technologies for introducing drop-in jet fuel production More
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HCN emissions in fluid catalytic cracking |
Xunhua Mo, Bart De Graaf and Paul Diddams, Johnson Matthey |
2013 / Q2 |
Increased attention to refinery emissions of hydrogen cyanide requires detailed understanding of its formation and conversion in the FCC regenerator More
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Oil/water separation technologies |
Berthold Otzisk, Kurita Europe |
2013 / Q2 |
Where stable emulsions cannot be removed mechanically, the application of demulsifiers, coagulants and flocculants accelerates the separation process More
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Customised tower design |
Darius Remesat and Michael Krela, Koch-Glitsch Canada |
2013 / Q2 |
To save project costs, the distillation towers for a new refinery were designed to meet process design objectives using best available technology More
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Sour water strippers: design and operation |
Norman Lieberman, Process Improvement Engineering |
2013 / Q2 |
Simpler, more cost-effective sour water stripper designs can outperform more generally accepted designs in the refining industry More
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Online cleaning: a mindshift for improving operational excellence |
Marcello Ferrara and Justin Weatherford, ITW |
2013 / Q2 |
A patented method of chemical cleaning can reduce downtime arising from severe fouling in process units More
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Lessons learned from MPC revamp of two naphtha crackers |
Vanessa Conz, Suzana Fuchs and Priscila Macedo Moura, Braskem
Mark Darby, CMiD Solutions
Doug Nicholson, IPCOS (UK) |
2013 / Q2 |
A project overview includes changes made at the regulatory and advanced control level, and results obtained. Techniques and tools used in the project are highlighted More
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Energy-efficient vacuum systems |
C Chandra, Sekhara Reddy and S V Naidu, Andhra University
G P Rangaiah, National University of Singapore |
2013 / Q2 |
Case analysis of the techniques available to reduce energy consumption in vacuum systems reveals the potential for cost savings More
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Mercury removal processes |
Neil Eckersley and David Radtke, UOP, a Honeywell Company
Leon Rogers and Shawn Brennan, Enterprise Products |
2013 / Gas |
A careful evaluation of the options for removing mercury from natural gas plant feed and product streams is a prudent exercise More
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Solubility of hydrocarbons and light ends in amines |
Nathan Hatcher, Clayton Jones and Ralph Weiland, Optimized Gas Treating Inc |
2013 / Gas |
Modelling procedures predict with considerable certainty what the expected hydrocarbon content of an amine solution in a gas processing plant ought to be More
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Industrial gases support the natural gas production chain |
Stephen Harrison and Ernst Miklos, Linde Gases |
2013 / Gas |
The contribution of industrial gases across the petrochemical processing spectrum is crucial to performance and safety More
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Formulated solvent reduces shale gas processing costs |
Robert L Dotson, Dow Oil, Gas & Mining |
2013 / Gas |
A gas treating facility is upgraded to a formulated solvent to achieve reduced operating costs compared with operations using a commodity amine blend More
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Qatar's LNG industry |
Meghna Bahl and Sandeep Kumar, Fluor |
2013 / Gas |
LNG provides an economic means to transport natural gas over long distances. Resources and technology have enabled Qatar to become a leading exporter More
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Flame interaction and rollover solutions in ethylene cracking furnaces |
Rex k Isaacs, Zeeco |
2013 / Gas |
During plant expansion or construction of new facilities for olefins plant, it is important to keep in mind the interactions of flame, fuel and lower emissions More
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Steam reforming natural gas containing higher hydrocarbons |
Vishwas Deshpande and Subrata Saha, Reliance Ports & Terminals Ltd |
2013 / Gas |
A method is described for estimating reformed gas composition in a primary reformer when the feed is a natural gas containing higher hydrocarbons More
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Towards a zero gasoline production refinery: part 1 |
Blasis Stamateris, Foster Wheeler |
2013 / Q3 |
Integrating products from the steam cracker, aromatics complex and FCC unit to produce petrochemicals without gasoline may offer more attractive margins More
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Refinery power failures: causes, costs and solutions |
Patrick J Christensen, William H Graf and Thmas W Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company |
2013 / Q3 |
Power outages typically lead to damaging costs for refiners. Strategies are needed to minimise them. More
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Combating green oil formation in a CCR reformer |
Osman Kubilay Karan, Mehmet Asim Ay, Koray kahraman, Tupras Kirikkale Refinery Arnaud Selmen, Axens Technology & Technical Services |
2013 / Q3 |
The addition of a chloride adsorber guard bed solved a refiner's issues with contamination affecting a CCR reformer's rich gas compressor More
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Role of fired heater safety systems |
Nikki Bishop and David Sheppard, Emerson Process Management |
2013 / Q3 |
A fully automated burner management system operating as a SIS burner control can meet minimum safety targets, improve system availability and lower costs More
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Manufacturing execution systems for the refining industry |
Marty Moran, AspenTech |
2013 / Q3 |
Real-time data and decision support tools provide access to plant information to enable a timely response to production issues More
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Advances in engineering and design technologies |
Simon Bennett, Aveva |
2013 / Q3 |
3D technology is moving out of the design office to transform the entire asset lifecycle More
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A novel approach to cleaning furnace coils |
Rupali Sahu, Shyam Kishore Choudhary, Ugrasen Yadav and M K E Prasad, Technip KT India |
2013 / Q3 |
A modified pigging operation aims to greatly reduce the time required for coke removal from furnace coils More
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Extending gasification runtime with antifoulant |
Berthold Otzisk, Kurita Europe |
2013 / Q3 |
When fouling is observed in the syngas cooler, an antifoulant programme can provide a gasification unit with an extended runtime. More
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Improving reliability and efficiency in centrifugal pumps |
Geoff Lewis, DuPont |
2013 / Q3 |
Conversion of metal pump wear parts to advanced composite materials can lead to substantial annual cost savings More
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Oil sands-derived feed processing |
Max Ovchinnikov, Josiane Ginestra, Dorian Rauschning, Bill Gillespie and Kevin Carlson, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies. |
2013 / Q3 |
Processing crudes derived from oil sands requires a good understanding of the facility, and of the sources and processing requirements of the available crudes. More
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Predicting catalyst liftime |
S Reza Seif Mohaddecy, Sepdhr Sadighi, RIPI |
2013 / Q3 |
A simulation model compares accurately with actual operating data to provide reliable predictions of catalyst lifetime in naptha reforming More
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Additives provide flexibility for FCC units and delayed cokers |
Alan Kramer and Raul Arriaga, Albemarle Corporation |
2013 / Q3 |
A proprietary additivie applied to a novel coker process increases the liquid yield from delayed coking More
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Preventing ingress of HCN into amine systems |
Ralph Weiland, Nathan Hatcher and Clayton Jones, Optimized Gas Treating Inc |
2013 / Q3 |
Simulation studies provide guidelines on how to avoid contamination of refinery amine systems by hydrogen cyanide More
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Optimised hydrogen production by steam reforming: part 2 |
Kedar Patwardhan, Sanke Rajyalakshmi and P Balaramakrishna, Larsen & Toubro |
2013 / Q3 |
Emerging technologies for hydrogen production from steam reforming are modelled. More
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Corrosion control with high-acid crudes |
India Naghi-Hanspal, Mahesh Subramaniyam and Parag Shah, Dorf Ketal Chemicals |
2013 / Q3 |
Appropriate corrosion control strategies help refineries to profit from discounted high-acid crudes More
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Chemical analysis in amine system operations |
Scott Waite, Arthur Cummings and Glen Smith, MPR Services |
2013 / Q3 |
The array of contaminants that can disrupt the operation of alkanolamine systems needs to be precisely characterised and analysed. This digital version of the article includes the extensive table providing a 'reconciliation of analytical methods and their reports' referenced in the print edition. More
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Improving the distillation energy network |
Soun Ho Lee, GTC Technology
Kwang Gil Min, GS Caltex Corporation |
2013 / Revamps |
Energy -efficient design applied to the refit of a distillation unit was achieved through optimisation between the distillation column and heat network system More
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Strategies for improved naphtha processing |
Mike Armstrong and Martin Brandt, Jacobs Consultancy |
2013 / Revamps |
To take advantage of dilbit from Alberta and light oils from shale formations, refiners must develop a strategy for processing additional naphthas and light components More
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Laser surveying a revamp |
Gary Farrow, AVEVA |
2013 / Revamps |
Efficient project workflow in a revamp can be achieved using 3D design technology that integrates with laser scan and engineering data sources. More
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Retrofitting a glycol contactor to prevent carryover |
Anne Phanikumar and Yang Quan, Sulzer Chemtech Switzerland |
2013 / Revamps |
A revamp of glycol contactor column internals, following CFD studies, resolved problems with gas production caused by glycol carryover More
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Reactor effluent air cooler safety through design |
Eric Lin and Peter Risse, Chevron Lummus Global |
2013 / Revamps |
Quality-controlled replacement of carbon steel with Duplex 2205 for revamps can increase the service life and reliability of the REAC in the high-pressure loop More
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Wet scrubbing modifications to reduce emissions |
Edwin Weaver and Nicholas Confuorto, Belco Technologies Corporation |
2013 / Revamps |
Modifications to existing wet scrubbing systems for FCC units can readily be made to achieve additional reductions in particulates, SO2 or NOx More
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Online cleaning of an integrated distillation unit |
Mariusz Holowacz and Rafal Zaprawa, Grupa Lotos
Marcello Ferrara, ITW |
2013 / Revamps |
Online cleaning technology was validated during a scheduled turnaround at the second largest refinery in Poland More
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Towards a zero gasoline production refinery: part 2 |
Blasis Stamateris, Foster Wheeler, UK
Dan Gillis, Foster Wheeler, USA |
2013 / Q4 |
Refinery configurations can suit various processing objectives, such as variations to the propylene-to-ethylene ratio and production of middle distillates and aromatics More
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Minimising transfer line vibrations |
Rahul Patil, Randheer Yadav, Ajay Gupta and Asit Das, Reliance Industries Ltd, Jamnagar |
2013 / Q4 |
Computational fluid dynamics was used effectively to solve start-up problems in a transfer line More
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High-acid crude processing enabled by unique use of computational fluid dynamics |
Dr Collin Cross, GE Water & Process Technologies |
2013 / Q4 |
A methodology for applying CFD enables faster identification of pipe elements that are the most vulnerable to attack by high-acid crudes More
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Processing strategies for metallic and high-acid crudes |
Vivek Srinivasan, Mahesh Subramaniyam and Parag Shah, Dorf Ketal Chemicals |
2013 / Q4 |
Refiners can minimise the risk of processing crudes that are acidic with high metals content through innovative treatment chemistries More
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Maintaining reliability when processing opportunity crudes |
Eric Vetters and Dannie Clarida, CorrMat International |
2013 / Q4 |
A risk-based approach that considers crude oil corrosivity can allow refiners to safely and reliably process increasing levels of opportunity crude More
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How glycols affect acid gas removal |
Torsten Katz, Georg Sieder and Justin Hearn, BASF SE |
2013 / Q4 |
How to control the amine unit's full acid gas capture performance over time and so avoid operational surprises involving glycol build-up More
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Extending the treatment of highly sour gases: part 1 |
Francois Lallemand, Gauthier Perdu and Laurent Normand, Prosernat
Claire Weiss, Total EP
Julia Magne-Drisch and Sebastien Gonnard, IFP Energies nouvelles |
2013 / Q4 |
The removal of acid gas components from highly or super-sour gases requires the optimum choice of process More
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Gasification for hydrogen supply |
Max-Michael Weiss, Helmut Heurich, Delphine Roma and Stefan Walter, Air Liquide Global E & C Solutions/Lurgi GmbH |
2013 / Q4 |
Integrating the gasification of liquid residues into a refinery balances the hydrogen demand of hydroprocessing units More
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Catalyst raises kero-treating performance |
Woo Kyung Kim, SK Innovation
Jessy Trucko and Eric Baker, UOP, A Honeywell Company
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2013 / Q4 |
The activity and stability of a replacement catalyst in a kerosene treater enabled a refiner to process difficult-to-treat condensate in greater quantities More
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Refinery power failures: causes, costs and solutions: part 2 |
William H Graf, William F Vukovich and Thomas W Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company |
2013 / Q4 |
Technologies are discussed to help refiners formulate strategies in managing risks and crisis due to emergency shutdowns, thereby minimising financial loss More
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Heat integration projects for refining processes |
Alisan Dogan, Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation |
2013 / Q4 |
Heat integration projects can deliver substantial savings, but they require detailed simulation and case-specific heat integration analysis More
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Applying pinch technology to energy recovery |
Farbod Rikhtegar, Iranian Fuel Conservation Company
Sepehr Sadighi, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry |
2013 / Q4 |
A pinch technology-based study of heating and cooling of material streams in a large-scale olefins plant identifies major opportunities for energy savings More
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Multistage reaction catalyst with advanced metals tolerance |
Yves-Alain Jollien, Tamoil
Jeremy Mayol, Vasileios Komvokis and Carl Keeley, BASF |
2013 / Q4 |
The metal trapping capabilities of a catalyst gave a refiner greater flexibility to upgrade heavy residue feed with increased metals content in its RFCC unit More
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Mitigating fouling in the caustic tower |
Hua Mo and David Dixon, Baker Hughes
Lowell Sykes, Westlake Vinyls |
2013 / Q4 |
Comprehensive analysis of foulants in an ethylene plant's caustic tower led to the identification of an effective treatment programme More
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Gasoline benzene reduction |
El-Mekki El-Malki and Benjamin Umansky, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co
Erik Moy, Grant Donahoe and Timothy Thom, Badger Licensing |
2013 / Q4 |
By adding a new unit that reacts a benzene-rich stream with light olefins, a refiner complied with current regulations for benzene and achieved a payback in 20 months More
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