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| The outlook for transport fuels: Part 1 |
Gautam Kalghatgi, Saudi Aramco
Chris Gosling and Mary Jo Wier, UOP |
2016 / Q1 |
As demand evolves, as specifications change, and as new fuel opportunities arise, what are the implications for refiners up to mid-century?
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| Tube rupture in a natural gas heater |
Harry Z Ha and Patrick Stang, Fluor Canada Ltd |
2016 / Q1 |
Dynamic simulation supports the use of a pressure safety valve over a rupture disk in the event of a tube rupture
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| Improving heat transfer in reboilers and condensers |
Norman Lieberman, Process Improvement Engineering |
2016 / Q1 |
Guidelines and experience on how to deal with a loss of condensing or reboiling capacity
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| The challenges of crude blending |
Thomas Garrett, Ahly Rattanakhambay, Neal Robbins, Matthew Wunder and Thomas Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company |
2016 / Q1 |
Declining crude prices encourage more spot purchases that save costs, but mixing different grades can create headaches for refiners
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| Monitoring and simulation resolves overhead corrosion |
Philip Thornthwaite, Nalco Champion
Jake Davies, Permasense |
2016 / Q1 |
Online corrosion monitoring in tandem with simulation modelling identified the root cause of corrosion in a crude unit overhead
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| Mitigating iron foulants in refinery processes |
Umakant Joshi and Austin Schneider, Crystaphase |
2016 / Q1 |
Purification systems are designed to remove iron based particles without detriment to a catalyst bed's permeability
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| Removing contaminants from crude oil |
Jamie McDaniels and Wole Olowu, Athlon Solutions LLC |
2016 / Q1 |
Natural and introduced contaminants limit crude desalting effectiveness, increasing fouling and corrosion risks in downstream units
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| Integrating wastewater reuse with seawater desalination |
William Celenza and John Herring, KBR |
2016 / Q1 |
The ability to turn wastewater and seawater into high quality process water is key to the expansion of downstream oil and gas in water short areas
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| Dealing with column fouling |
Mark Pilling, Sulzer Chemtech USA |
2016 / Q1 |
An understanding of process basics and fouling mechanisms enables increased run length in problem columns
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| Designing a divided wall column |
Sasa Polovina, Srecko Herceg and Ana Granic Sarac, INA |
2016 / Q1 |
A refiner plans the application of divided wall column technology for greater energy efficiency in the distillation of multi-component reformate
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| A refinery's journey to energy efficiency |
Zafer Karatas and Sena Turkoglu, Tupras Batman Refinery |
2016 / Q1 |
Identifying a series of areas for improvement transformed the energy performance of a refinery with a 60-year old history
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| Energy savings in a coker's water system |
Wang Zhigang, Jia Yin, Lixiao Chang and Song Kang, Sinopec Luoyang Company |
2016 / Q1 |
Revamping a delayed coking unit's water system enabled significant energy savings
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| Energy conservation in a crude unit |
Yoshinori Kanno, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
Guiqing Xu, Softard Industries
Ian Baxter, Cat Tech International |
2016 / Q1 |
Online cleaning of a CDU/VDU heat exchanger network saved on time, energy and environmental impact
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| The impact of tower internals on column performance |
Michael Schultes, Raschig GmbH |
2016 / Q1 |
Full scale testing and analysis of operation demonstrate the importance of tower internals on the performance of mass transfer packings
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| Latin America shale oil: promise or pipedream? |
Jefrey Zurlo, GE Water & Process Technologies |
2016 / Shale |
The challenges faced by Latin American refiners in processing fast emerging sources of shale oil in a low price environment
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| Novel processing ideas for a condensate refinery |
Donald Eizenga, David Shecterle and Frank Zhu, UOP, a Honeywell Company |
2016 / Shale |
Synergised unit flow schemes for a condensate refinery aim for high value refined products
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| Monitoring against process problems |
Tim Olsen, Emerson Process Management |
2016 / Shale |
Careful monitoring for preheat exchanger fouling and H2S release during unloading is vital when tight oil blends are processed
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| China's shale gas |
Lee Fagg, Nexant |
2016 / Shale |
The outlook and opportunities for petrochemicals based on China's development of shale gas
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| Impact of light tight oils on distillate hydrotreater operation |
Robert Ohmes and Matt Lehr, KBC Advanced Technologies |
2016 / Shale |
Addressing the range of challenges brought to diesel and jet production by light tight oil processing
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| Guarding against contaminants |
Michael Schmidt, Haldor Topsoe A/S
Henrik Rasmussen, Haldor Topsoe Inc |
2016 / Catalysis |
Analysing spent hydroprocessing catalyst underpins the development of guard bed catalysts to counter contaminants
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| Increasing FCC propylene yield |
Rudolf Latka, Vladimir Oleriny and Norbert Kovak, Slovnaft
Tom Ventham, Johnson Matthey Process Technologies |
2016 / Catalysis |
A test run with ZSM-5 additive demonstrated to a refinery that it could significantly raise production of propylene in the FCC
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| Kinetic engine drives catalyst development |
Andrea Battiston, Albemarle Corporation |
2016 / Catalysis |
Development of a NiMo catalyst for medium-to-high and high pressure middle distillates hydrotreating
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| Revamping for ULSD production |
Mike Rogers, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies
Kirit Sanghavi, Alon USA Refining |
2016 / Catalysis |
A sandwich catalyst system has given the additional activity needed to process difficult feed in a hydrotreater
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| Look beyond the catalyst |
Austin Schneider, Crystaphase |
2016 / Catalysis |
Purification and dispersion strategies applied to hydroprocessing catalyst can improve reactor performance
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| Calcium containing feedstock processing |
Chinthala Praveen Kumar, Sukumar Mandal, Gopal Ravichandran, Srikanta Dinda, Amit V Gohel, Ashwani Yadav and Asit Kumar Das, Reliance Industries Ltd |
2016 / Catalysis |
Development of a FCC catalyst/additive combination with high tolerance to calcium contamination from lower cost feedstock
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| The outlook for transport fuels: Part 2 |
Gautam Kalghatgi, Saudi Aramco
Chris Gosling and Mary Jo Wier, UOP |
2016 / Q2 |
As demand evolves, as specifications change, and as new fuel opportunities arise, what are the implications for refiners up to mid-century?
More
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| Energy saving chemical treatments in the crude distillation unit |
Andrea Fina, Chimec |
2016 / Q2 |
Chemical treatments allied to real-time energy monitoring deliver significant savings in CDU operations
More
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| The challenges of crude blending |
Thomas Garrett, Patrick Christensen, William Vokovich and Thomas Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company |
2016 / Q2 |
The second part of a two-part article details the importance of crude selection and blending strategies to prosper in a low cost yet volatile market.
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| Loss into gain in high capacity trays Part 1: excursion |
Henry Kister, Fluor
Neasan O'Shea (ret'd) and Dan Cronin, Phillips 66 Whitegate refinery |
2016 / Q2 |
Systematic troubleshooting diagnosed and solved two complex and independent problems that limited the capacity of an atmospheric crude distillation tower
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| Improved stripper efficiency raises upgrader production |
Mike Goulding and Fred Zhang, Suncor
Michael Krela, Koch-Glitsch |
2016 / Q2 |
Revamping a heavy oil upgrader's steam stripping tower increased tray efficiency and achieved record throughput
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| Enhancing fractionator efficiency |
Soun Ho Lee, GTC Technology |
2016 / Q2 |
Properly designed vapour and liquid distribution devices enable more effective distillation column efficiency
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| Increased margin from updated internals and catalyst |
Fawzi Al-Somali, Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Co
Edwin Maas, Shell Global Solutions International BV
Theo Visser, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies |
2016 / Q2 |
A low cost hydrocracker revamp delivered extra value to a refinery by increasing diesel yield, cycle length and safety
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| How dynamic pressure can affect vacuum column readings |
Grant Niccum and Steve White, Process Consulting Services |
2016 / Q2 |
Computational fluid dynamics confirmed field measurements to explain a vacuum unit's poor quality HVGO and was used to redesign the tower internals
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| Energy savings in preheat trains with preflash |
Chris Bealing, Juan Gomez-Prado and jim Sheldon, KBC Process Technology |
2016 / Q2 |
An eastern European refinery combined pinch technology and process simulation to achieve the most cost effective energy savings
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| Addressing corrosion challenges in refineries |
Kjell Wold, Emerson Process Management |
2016 / Q2 |
Integrated corrosion management enables full control of refinery assets and opportunity crude processing without increased corrosion threats
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| Integrating capital work into turnarounds |
Gordon Lawrence, Asset Performance Networks |
2016 / Q2 |
If a turnaround is to be successful, project work must be well integrated with the turnaround's scope of work
More
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| Retooling APC for improved results |
Randy Conley, Total Port Arthur refinery
Zak Friedman, Petrocontrol |
2016 / Q2 |
Raising refinery-wide awareness of the role of advanced process control delivers maximum benefit from a reinvigorated APC
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| Removing contaminant fines from process water |
Barry Perlmutter, BHS-Sonthofen |
2016 / Q2 |
Careful analysis and a creative approach are required for the optimum application of filtration technology
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| Maximising propylene in the FCC unit |
Michael Lutz, Harald Zeman, Thomas Krenn, Alexander Mittelmayr and Ignacio Beltran, OMV
Emmanuel Smaragdis, Matthias Scherer and Christophe Chau, Grace |
2016 / Q2 |
Comparative trials with FCC catalyst formulations identified a winner on olefins selectivity and other factors
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| Remote sensing for process optimisation |
Gregory Shahnovsky, Ariel Kigel and Ronny McMurray, Modcon-Systems |
2016 / Q2 |
Remote sensing technology delivers process properties in hazardous areas in real time and in agreement with laboratory results
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| Acid gas treatment upgade for Qatargas |
Gauthier Perdu, Laurent Normand and Geraldine Laborie, Prosernat
Omar Alhatou, Qatargas |
2016 / Gas |
Upgrading acid gas treatment at the world's largest LNG facility safeguards the plant's design capacity and its ability to process increasingly sour feeds
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| The role of tail gas treating unit quench towers |
Ralph Weiland, Clayton Jones and Nathan Hatcher, Optimized Gas Treating Inc |
2016 / Gas |
A quench tower cools gas entering a tail gas amine unit but also protects the amine against SO2 breakthrough
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| Integrated design for gas processing |
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2016 / Gas |
An integrated approach to designing process line-up delivers a range of economic, process and environmental benefits
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| Nitrogen removal for chemicals production |
Jorge Arizmendi-Sanchez and Adrian Finn, Costain |
2016 / Gas |
Increasing nitrogen levels in gas fields drive an increased need for efficient cryogenic nitrogen removal plants
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| Tackling tighter emissions rules |
Frank Scheel, Jacobs Comprimo Sulfur Solutions |
2016 / Gas |
A review of the options to raise sulphur emissions performance to meet China's tightening regulations
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| Multiphase flow analysis in slug catcher design |
S Sathish Kumaran, Dattesh Kondekear and M K E Prasad, Technip India
Cedric Leber, Technip Paris |
2016 / Gas |
Computational fluid dynamic simulation extends the range and flexibility of designing slug catchers
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| Predictions for APC in refinery gas plant |
Zak Friedman, Petrocontrol |
2016 / Gas |
Inferential models enable the development of advanced process control for a FCC gas plant
More
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| Developments in hydrotreating catalyst |
Michael T Schmidt, Haldor Topsoe |
2016 / Q3 |
How a second generation hydrotreating catalyst was developed for high pressure ultra-low sulphur diesel units and hydrocracker pretreaters
More
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| Loss into gain in high-capacity trays Part 2: reverse vapour cross flow chanelling |
Henry Kister, Fluor
Neasan O'shea (Ret'd) and Dan Cronin, Phillips 66 Whitegate refinery |
2016 / Q3 |
Systematic troubleshooting diagnosed two complex problems that limited the capacity of an atmospheric crude distillation tower
More
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| The future of automation |
Rohan McAdam and Paul McLaughlin, Honeywell Process Solutions |
2016 / Q3 |
The Industrial Internet of Things promises to be the biggest influence on plant automation systems since the advent of distributed control systems
More
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| Connected data improves refinery operations |
Jefrey Zurlo, GE Water & Process Technologies |
2016 / Q3 |
Connecting data with a common knowledge management platform improves visibility, response, and analysis to benefit refinery operations
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| Handling delayed coker disturbances with APC |
Dinesh Jaguste, Yokogawa India |
2016 / Q3 |
An advanced process control system provides automatic detection of disturbances during drum switch in a delayed coker to raise performance levels
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| Automation of tank farm systems |
Jijnasa Panigrahi and Arun Kumar S, Helium Consulting |
2016 / Q3 |
Automation helps to streamline operations as well as supply and demand planning, sales orders and inventory in tank management
More
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| Corrosion resistance in tropical environments |
Barinder Ghai, Sandvik Mateials Technology |
2016 / Q3 |
Tests at NASA demonstrate how super-duplex tubes provide corrosion resistance at lower cost in a challenging environment
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| Troubleshooting standpipe aeration |
Rahul Patil, Ajay Gupta and Asit Das, Reliance Industries Limited |
2016 / Q3 |
Standpipe aeration plays a critical role in smooth catalyst circultion in the riser and reactor of a FCC unit. A refiner details guidelines for effective aeration.
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| Refrigeration compressor anti-surge control |
Medhat Zaghloul and Wayne Jacobson, Compressor Controls Corporation |
2016 / Q3 |
A refrigeration compressor requires the same high-performance and fast-acting surge control technology as other gas compression circuits
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| Reciprocating compressors in a hydrogen plant |
Benjamin Williams, Ariel Corporation
Laurent Richaume, Air Liquide Engineering & Construction |
2016 / Q3 |
A hydrogen producer chose moderate speed reciprocating compressors for its natural gas feed and hydrogen product services
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| SRU simulation: getting the properties right |
Anand Govindarajan, Nathan A Hatcher, Claytone E Jones and G Simon Weiland, Optimised Gas Treating Inc |
2016 / Q3 |
Reliable, predictive simulation software for SRUs requires recognition of many of the unique properties and behaviours of sulphur
More
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| High efficiency zero export steam reforming |
Holger Schlichting, Dieter Ulber, Sebastien Cadalen, Sebastien Doublet and Laurent Prost, Air Liquide |
2016 / Q3 |
Development of a new hydrogen production technology based on steam methane reforming
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| Dealing with desalter cleaning challenges |
Justin Weatherford and Marcello Ferrara, ITW |
2016 / Q3 |
How to overcome lengthy and potentially dangerous challenges when cleaning a crude unit desalter
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| Automated column start-ups |
Martin Sneesby, APESS |
2016 / Q3 |
Automation at start-up, supported by dynamic simulation, is desirable if it can be accomplished with a modest amount of engineering effort
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| Improved distillation efficiency |
Manish Bhargava, Roomi Kalita and Joseph Gentry, GTC Technology
Norihito Suzuki, TonenGeneral Group |
2016 / Q4 |
Dividing wall column technology applied to a xylenes separation project delivered superior energy efficiency compared to a two-column arrangement
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| Benchmarking and optimising maintenance for turnarounds |
Shawn Hansen and Brett Schroeder, Asset Performance Networks |
2016 / Q4 |
A methodology can be used to benchmark scope and provide early and reliable forecasts of labour hours and costs during a turnaround
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| Operating vacuum distillation ejector systems |
Jim Lines, Graham Corporation |
2016 / Q4 |
Best practices and opportunities to deliver reliable ejector system performance and reduce performance risk
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| Reducing hydrocarbons in SWS acid gas |
Ben Spooner, Sulphur Experts
David Engel, Nexo Solutions |
2016 / Q4 |
Measures to minimise the level of hydrocarbons in sour water and thereby protect the efficiency of the sulphur plant
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| VOC recovery in crude oil loading |
Grant Johnson and Mike Dodd, Costain |
2016 / Q4 |
Facilities to reduce VOC emissions during loading are providing major environmental benefits driven by emissions standards and legislation
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| Ammonia destruction in the reaction furnace |
Simon Weiland, Nathan Hatcher, Clayton Jones and Ralph Weiland, Optimized Gas Treating Inc |
2016 / Q4 |
A study based on reaction fundamentals aids a comparison of the advantages of one-zone and two-zone SRU reaction furnace design in ammonia destruction
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| Regenerable tail gas treatment |
Martin Lebel, Shell Cansolv
Manuel Jacques, Technip |
2016 / Q4 |
Cost assessment of tail gas treating technologies that recycle H2S or SO2 to the Claus unit
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| Upgrading sulphur removal performance |
Yves Herssens and William Lam, MECS |
2016 / Q4 |
Reverse jet scrubbing enabled a refinery to bypass its upstream tail gas unit while still meeting sulphur removal targets
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| Data analytics for hydrocarbon processing |
John McCall, The Data Lab |
2016 / Q4 |
Advanced data handling techniques are transforming operations in the refining industry at an increasing pace
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| Pressure surge during crude unloading |
Dattesh Kondekar, Prateek Agarwal and Maruthi Ethakota, Technip |
2016 / Q4 |
How to avoid pressure surge problems when dissimilar ship to shore offloading operations are interconnected
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| Simulating crude units with preflash |
Juan Gomez-Prado, Ralph Goodrich and Don Hoppens, KBC Process Technology |
2016 / Q4 |
Process simulation offers a cost effective way of testing ideas to improve yield and energy performance
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| FCC catalyst for maximum propylene |
Rafael Gonzalez Sanchez and Christophe Chau, Grace Catalysts Technologies
Javier Llano Nogales, Berta Aramburu Lopez-Aranguren and Rafael Domingo Larrazmora, CEPSA
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2016 / Q4 |
A case study for boosting unit profitability through FCC catalyst selection for propylene maximisation
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| Controlling LPG/propylene quality |
Chayan Bhalla and Satyendra Balot, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited |
2016 / Q4 |
Online analysers can minimise costly upsets in FCC LPG/propylene quality and realise savings in caustic wash operations
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| Designing storage tanks |
Scott Mayeux and Jana Miller, Intergraph |
2016 / Q4 |
Software based on the latest international codes enables straightforward design of storage tanks in a range of load conditions
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| SIL and functional safety in rotating equipment |
Oliver Franz, Prognost Systems |
2016 / Q4 |
Unravelling the terminology and meaning of safety integrity level and functional safety in rotating equipment
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| Isokinetic nozzles for steam sampling |
Astha Mahendru, Meghna Bahl and Partha Mondal, Fluor Daniel |
2016 / Q4 |
The proper design of a sampling system is critical for a sample that is representative of the stream to be measured
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| Being lean in ethylene |
Luc Chantepy, AspenTech |
2016 / Q4 |
Operational excellence in ethylene production requires integrated design and control solutions to optimise plant for improving yield, efficiency and energy performance
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| Revamp cat feed hydrotreaters for flexible yields |
David Schwalje, Larry Wisdom and Mike Craig, Axens North America |
2016 / Revamps |
Revamping a cat feed hydrotreater to a flexible mild hydrocracker can be the most attractive economic option for adjusting the gasoline to diesel ratio
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| Achieving turnaround success |
Jerry Wanichko, T A Cook Consultants |
2016 / Revamps |
Large maintenance overhaul projects are complex, expensive processes, often with unpredictable challenges that call for best practice techniques
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| Revamping crude towers for quality and yield |
Leonard Souza, Rafael Wagner, Claudio Rocha and Henry Giron, Petroleo Brasileiro SA
Antonio Cortines, Sulzer Chemtech |
2016 / Revamps |
A successful revamp of distillation towers for increased diesel quality and yield depended on reliable design and accurate assembly
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| FCC unit revamps at minimum cost |
Gary R Martin, ReCon Management Services Inc |
2016 / Revamps |
Selective modifications for FCC unit revamps can deliver the best return on investment
More
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| Turnarounds deliver process improvements |
Mark Pilling, Sulzer USA |
2016 / Revamps |
An extended unit shutdown is relatively rare and an opportunity to take every advantage to improve performance
More
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| Troubleshooting vacuum systems |
Norman Lieberman, Process Improvement Engineering |
2016 / Revamps |
Case histories of refinery vacuum tower problems solved are gleaned from five decades of experience
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