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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.
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| Resid FCC catalyst technology for maximum distillates yield |
Martin Kraus, Qi Fu and Natalie Kiser, BASF Corporation, Catalyst Division Orson Thornton, Big West Oil
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2010 / Q3 |
A catalyst developed for residuum applications with high contaminant metals levels showed a reduction in bottoms, with increased LCO and naphtha production.
More
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| Estimation of steam losses using a predictive tool |
Alireza Bahadori and Hari B Vuthaluru, Curtin University of Technology
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2010 / Q3 |
A predictive mathematical tool estimates condensate flow rate and flow correction factor to obtain steam losses in steam traps.
More
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| Reliability analysis to determine environmental emissions from units |
Chiron Mukherjee, DNV
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2010 / Q3 |
Reliability analysis determines the extent to which plant can meet emission limits and supports estimates of possible financial penalties for non-compliance.
More
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| Designing for sulphur removal and storage: part II |
Shamim Gandhi, Wayne Chung and Krish Nangia, Fluor Corporation
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2010 / Q3 |
Selection of technologies for the sulphur block must serve legislative demands and the efficient operation of upstream processes.
More
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| Crude oil cargo selection and time frame of LP optimisation |
M D Pawde and Sachin Singh, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), India
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2010 / Q3 |
Combinatorial selection is the most rigorous and theoretically correct method of crude oil cargo evaluation. Efficient algorithms are key to its implementation.
More
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| Dealing with mercury in refinery processes |
Raymond Hadden and Tina Moss, Johnson Matthey Catalysts
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2010 / Q3 |
The effects of mercury contamination on operations, and its treatment, are emerging issues for refiners.
More
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| Process and energy analysis for cost savings and CO2 reduction |
Mehmet Alkan and Osman Karan, Tupras Maryro Mendez and Juan Gomez-Prado, KBC Advanced Technologies
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2010 / Q3 |
Applying heat pinch technology and process know-how to maximise energy savings.
More
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| Naphtha cracking for light olefins production |
Michael J Tallman and Curtis Eng, KBR Sun Choi and Deuk Soo Park, SK Energy
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2010 / Q3 |
As an alternative to steam cracking, an FCC-type process provides on-purpose production of propylene.
More
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| Improving performance through low-cost modification of tower internals |
Darius Remesat, Koch-Glitsch
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2010 / Q3 |
Low-cost revamps of tower internals improve production from existing assets with a payback period of less than a year.
More
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| Developments in cyclone technology imrpove FCC unit reliability |
Ye-Mon Chen and Mart Nieskens, Shell Global Solutions S B Reddy Karri and Ted M Knowlton, PSRI
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2010 / Q3 |
Developments in FCC cyclone technology reduce problems of abrasion that cause unscheduled unit shutdowns.
More
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| Optimising steam systems: part II |
Ian Fleming, Spirax Sarco
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2010 / Q3 |
A second article on steam system optimisation addresses steam at point of use and good engineering practice to remove and return condensate.
More
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| Residue conversion options to meet marine fuel regulations |
Dan Gillis, Grant Yokomizo, Mark Van Wees, Rich Rossi and Ed Houde, UOP LLC, A Honeywell Company
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2010 / Q3 |
Slurry hydrocracking to match demand for lower-sulphur marine fuel oils and to maintain distillate production targets.
More
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| Corporate energy optimisation |
Fred Hampton, Jason Mooney, Darryl Seillier and Jose Bird, Valero Energy Corporation Nicholas Spates, Modular Process Control
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2010 / Q3 |
An energy management system can deliver major cost savings in a refinery from a relatively low outlay.
More
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| Developments in impulse line blocking diagnosis |
Neil Hankey, Yokogawa Electric Corporation
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2010 / Q3 |
Impulse line blocking diagnosis is emerging as a versatile approach to the production of process disruption.
More
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| Processing high TAN crude: part I |
Wu Qing, CNOOC
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2010 / Q4 |
Huizhou, which is the first refinery for processing 100% high TAN crude, started up in 2009. This article describes the challenges of an opportunity crude operation.
More
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| Strategic options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions |
Bill Keesom, Amalia Pantazidis, Ian Moore and Jon Moretta, Jacobs Consultancy
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2010 / Q4 |
Refiners need to develop a roadmap of their future business and technology requirements to address emerging climate change legislation.
More
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| Partial upgrading of heavy oil reserves |
Mitra Motaghi, Priyanka Saxena and Rahul Ravi, KBR Technology
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2010 / Q4 |
Partial upgrading using solvent deasphalting addresses multiple issues associated with the recovery of stranded heavy oils.
More
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| Improvements in random packing performance |
Izak Nieuwoudt, Christine Corio and Jeff Degarmo, Koch-Glitsch
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2010 / Q4 |
Developments in random packing design aim for increased efficiency and capacity
More
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| Energy management: raising profitability, reducing CO2 emissions |
Claire Weber and Thomas Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company
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2010 / Q4 |
Case studies show how lower energy demand via revamps and improved maintenance can save money and abate CO2 emissions in refinery operations
More
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| Monitoring and controlling corrosion in steam generation |
Jerry Jones, Nalco Energy Services
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2010 / Q4 |
At-temperature oxidation reduction potential (ORP) technology enables real-time measurement and control of corrosion potential in steam generation
More
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| Online real-time optimisation helps identify energy gaps |
Marcelo Galleguillos and Michel Maffet, ENAP Refinerias Marcos Kihn, Ruben Monje and Carlos Ruiz, Soteica
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2010 / Q4 |
Real-time supervision of a refinery's energy system enables optimisation of its fuel consumption and emissions levels.
More
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| Real-time downstream dashboard |
Toto Nugroho Pranatyasto and Agus Witjaksono, Pertamina Craig Harclerode, OSIsoft
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2010 / Q4 |
Real-time infrastructure enabled an organisational transformation to achieve integration in a highly complex downstream supply chain.
More
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| Advances in FCC catalyst performance |
Charles Keweshan and Daniel Neuman, BASF Corporation Jeffrey Sexton, Mike Skurka and Scott Simon, Marathon Oil Company
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2010 / Q4 |
Upgraded manufacturing processes have produced an FCC catalyst with increased gasoline yield and high hydrothermal stability at high severity operation
More
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| Clean diesel project |
Luigi Valagussa, Koch-Glitsch Italia
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2011 / Q1 |
A process review, including the improvement of atmospheric and vacuum distillation columns, for the reformulation of the diesel pool.
More
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| Simulation model increases visbreaker conversion |
Ernesto Agorreta, Carlos Angulo and Aleixandre Soriano, Repsol Tarragona Cristina Font and Marco Respini, Baker Hughes
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2011 / Q1 |
Introduction of advanced analytical monitoring, chemical treatment and process optimisation has raised the profitability of a visbreaker unit.
More
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| Drivers for zero discharge in refineries |
Gary Howard, Foster Wheeler
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2011 / Q1 |
Wastewater treatment utilising zero-discharge techniques has reduced the impact of effluent discharges
More
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| Rental strategies counter seasonal performance problems |
Umesh Mathur, Aggreko Process Services
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2011 / Q1 |
Engineered solutions can reverse the adverse effects of high temperatures and humidity
More
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| Independent verification of refineries |
Donald Payne, DNV Vietnam
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2011 / Q1 |
Independent verification should focus on areas of greatest risk and so contribute to risk reduction measures
More
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| Bottom of the barrel upgrading |
Alan Kramer, Albemarle
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2011 / Q1 |
The predicted and demonstrated role of additives in raising bottoms product yields and properties from the FCC unit
More
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| Steps towards optimal refinery blending |
David Seiver, Valero Energy Corporation
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2011 / Q1 |
A practitioner's guide to optimising refinery blending systems by choosing control options with the highest return on investment
More
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| Processing high TAN crude: part II |
Wu Qing, CNOOC
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2011 / Q1 |
Huizhou, which is the first refinery for processing 100% high TAN crude, started up in 2009. This article describes the challenges of an opportunity crude operation
More
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| Maximisation of VGO through deep-cut distillation for refinery margins |
Rajeev Kumar, Chithra V, Shalini Gupta, Sonal Maheshwari, Peddy V C Rao and N V Choudary, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, India
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2011 / Q1 |
Appropriate choice of crude and/or crude oil blends as feedstock and a vacuum tower revamp enable higher production of vacuum gas oil for secondary processing
More
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| Renewable fuels and biofuels in a petroleum refinery |
Jukka Keyrilainen and Matti Koskinen, Neste Jacobs
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2011 / Q1 |
Sound judgement of the process environment, logistics and product properties are necessary to process both fossil and bio-derived raw materials on a single site.
More
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| Protection analysis in refining |
Robert Absil, Intertek PARK
|
2011 / Q1 |
Independent pilot plant testing can serve as an independent protection layer to reduce the technical risks of new process technology
More
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| Improving crude unit operation |
Tim Olsen and Gary Hawkins, Emerson Process Management
|
2011 / Q1 |
Most crude and vacuum units present an opportunity for improvement using modern process control systems
More
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| Optimising safety relief and flare systems |
Alban Sirven, Julien Grosclaude and Guillaume Fenol, Technip France Jeremy Saada, Invensys Operations Management
|
2011 / Q2 |
Understanding the behaviour of refinery units by dynamic modelling of emergencies enables the prediction of realistic relief loads
More
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| Energy performance monitoring |
Robert Chares, Herve Closon and Hugues Stefanski, Belsim Jean-Claude Noisier, SIR
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2011 / Q2 |
A integrated energy management system supports improvements to a refinery's performance in energy consumption and emissions control
More
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| SO2 emission control for resid combustion |
Rick Birnbaum, Cansolv Technologies
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2011 / Q2 |
Regenerable and non-regenerable SO2 scrubbing systems for high-sulphur residuum combustion are compared.
More
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| Bulk separation of gas-liquid mixtures |
Giuseppe Mosca, Pierre Schaeffer and Bart Griepsma, Sulzer Chemtech Harry Kooijman, Shell Global Solutions International
|
2011 / Q2 |
Effective gas-liquid separation is increasingly important to produce high-quality products from feedstocks of decreasing quality.
More
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| Diverting low-sulphur heavy stocks for fuel oil production |
Rajeev Kumar, Chithra V, Peddy V C Rao and N V Choudary, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, India
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2011 / Q2 |
Studies enabled a refinery to divert low-value product stocks into higher-value products and preserve crude throughput levels.
More
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| Reducing carbon footprint |
Tanmay Taraphdar, Technip KT India
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2011 / Q2 |
An integrated programme of process integration techniques lowers CO2 emissions levels in refineries through energy savings.
More
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| A promoter for selective H2S removal: part II |
Gerald Vorberg, Ralf Notz and Torsten Katz, BASF SE Wieland Wache and Claus Schunk, Bayernoil Raffineriegesellschaft
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2011 / Q2 |
Refinery trials of an MDEA promoter demonstrate low H2S lean loadings and the option for enhanced process stability during high-sulphur operation.
More
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| Main fracionator revamp |
John Payne and Dan Darby, Foster Wheeler
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2011 / Q2 |
Space restrictions on site called for an innovative solution to replace a refinery's main fractionator mid-section
More
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| Small-scale gas to liquids |
Andrew Holwell, Oxford Catalysts Group
|
2011 / Q2 |
Microchannel reactor technology is on trial for the small-scale production of liquids from stranded gas.
More
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| Simulation of a visbreaking unit |
S Reza Seif Mohaddecy, Sepehr Sadighi, Omid Ghabuli and Mahdi Rashidzadeh, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry
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2011 / Q2 |
Simulation of a commercial visbreaking unit supports optimisation of the unit's performance
More
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| Modelling for ULSD optimisation |
Klas Dahlgren, Apex Optimisation/Dynaproc An Rigden, Chevron Henrik Terndrup, Apex Optimisation
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2011 / Q2 |
On-line coordination and optimisation of refinery process units led to a 10% increase in middle distillate production.
More
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| Automating procedural operations for continuous processes |
Maurice Wilkins and Marcus Tennant, Yokogawa Electric Corporation
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2011 / Q3 |
Progress towards a standard for automating operational procedures in refinery operations
More
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| Naphtha to diesel via novel routes |
David Gibbons, Foster Wheeler
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2011 / Q3 |
An unconventional, synthetic approach to converting LPG and naphtha components could boost diesel production
More
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| Optimising hydrogen production and use |
Ronald Long, Kathy Picioccio and Alan Zagoria, UOP LLC, A Honeywell Company
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2011 / Q3 |
Knowledge of hydrogen producing and consuming process technologies, systems analyses and process controls can be leveraged to optimise hydrogen use
More
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| Improving residue hydrocracking performance |
Joni Kunnas, Neste Oil Lee Smith, HTI
|
2011 / Q3 |
Trials with a catalyst system for enhanced transfer of hydrogen to asphaltenes show reduced sediment formation and fouling in ebullated-bed residue hydrocrackers
More
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| Industrial-scale production of renewable diesel |
Rasmus Egeberg and Kim Knudsen, Haldor Topsoe Stefan Nystrom, Eva Lind Grennfelt and Kerstin Efraimsson, Preem
|
2011 / Q3 |
A revamp has made possible the large-scale production of clean diesel with a significant percentage of renewable content
More
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| Improving solids handling in a delayed coker |
Randy Hull, Steve Stewart and James Teets, Marsulex
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2011 / Q3 |
A reliability model applied to a coke handling system demonstrates the benefits of compliance with a preventive maintenance programme
More
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| Refinery configurations for maximising middle distillates |
Arun Arora and Ujjal Mukherjee, Chevron Lummus Global
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2011 / Q3 |
A comparison of configurations for upgrading residual oil products for the maximum production of diesel
More
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| Bitumen processing: crude unit revamps |
Mike Armstrong, Rob Henderson and Jon Moretta, Jacobs Consultancy
|
2011 / Q3 |
The ability to process bitumen offers a competitive advantage, but revamps of crude and vacuum units to process bitumen require significant changes to equipment
More
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| Improving profitability despite lower utilisation |
Eric Streit and Robert Ohmes, KBC
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2011 / Q3 |
Alternative and novel strategies can maintain and improve profitability despite lower utilisation of individual process units
More
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| Multi-stage reaction catalysts |
J Mclean, Bram Hoffer, Gary Smith, David Stockwell and Alexis Shackleford, BASF
|
2011 / Q3 |
Recently trialled manufacturing technology combines two or more FCC catalyst functionalities within the same catalyst particle
More
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| Preventing environmental excursions on the FCC unit |
Ray Fletcher and Martin Evans, Intercat
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2011 / Q3 |
Guidelines to enable the FCC engineer to identify and eliminate the root cause of unexpected flue gas emissions
More
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| Catalytic oxidation of spent caustic |
Vivek Rathore, Shalini Gupta, T S Thorat, P V C Rao, N V Choudary and G Biju, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, India
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2011 / Q3 |
A process to oxidise spent caustic in an existing treatment plant by a catalytic route in the presence of air enhances the quality of wastewater releases
More
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| Gasoline and diesel imbalances in the Atlantic Basin: part II |
Sebastien Fraysse and Seba Stien Huchette, Axens
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2011 / Q4 |
Options to re-orientate a refinery's production towards middle distillates
More
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| Future of opportunity crudes processing |
Brett Goldhammer, Claire Weber, Patrick Christensen, Serena Yeung, Thomas Garrett and Thomas Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company.
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2011 / Q4 |
Five critical drivers help refiners remain profitable and sustain long-term business goals while processing relatively inexpensive, low-quality crudes.
More
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| FCC catalyst optimisation in response to rare earth prices |
Solly Ismail, BASF Refining Catalysts
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2011 / Q4 |
Lower levels of rare-earth catalyst formulations offset higher raw material costs, but refiners must consider the effects on catalyst performance and overall profitability.
More
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| Thermal maintenance in delayed cokers |
Thomas Willingham, Controls Southeast Inc
|
2011 / Q4 |
An engineered approach to line heating avoids plugging in a delayed coker's residuum lines
More
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| Evaluating tank farm capacity |
Alastair Painter, DNV
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2011 / Q4 |
Stochastic simulation provides a refinery operator with the information needed to optimise storage in the tank farm.
More
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| Optimal tonnage industrial gas plants |
Wolfgang Schoerner and Goutam Shahani, Linde Engineering
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2011 / Q4 |
Detailed examination of industrial gas needs is required to develop the most cost-effective industrial gas plant configuration
More
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| Fast turnaround for a SRU tail gas scrubber |
Steven Meyer and Andrea Trapet, MECS
|
2011 / Q4 |
Reuse of groundwork and equipment, as well as previous experience in meeting permitting regulations enabled an 18-week turnaround of a tail gas scrubber.
More
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| Continuous removal of contaminants from amine solutions |
Sunil Dandekar and Jenny Shao, Eco-Tec
|
2011 / Q4 |
A continuous purification system overcomes amine degradation and the formation of corrosion promoting heat stable amine salts
More
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| FCC air/steam rings |
Clint Cooper, Shaw's Energy & Chemicals Group
|
2011 / Q4 |
Ring distributors are a simple yet effective means of improving air/steam distribution within the FCC unit.
More
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| Diesel hydrotreating and mild hydrocracking |
Andrew Tyas, DuPont Sustainable Solutions Clean Technologies
|
2011 / Q4 |
Increased hydroprocessing capability must provide an acceptable long-term return on capital, while producing the desire product yields and qualities.
More
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| Zero and low rare earth FCC catalysts |
Colin Baillie and Rosann Schiller, Grace Davison
|
2011 / Q4 |
Blends of rare earth-free and rare earth-based catalysts for resid feed FCC applications have maintained and even improved performance.
More
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| Assessment of crude oil blends |
Vivek Rathore, Rajiv Brahma, Tushar S Thorat, P V C Rao and N V Choudary, Bharat Petroelum Corporation
|
2011 / Q4 |
A refiner's assessment of the compatibility of opportunity crudes in blends aims to avoid the processing problems introduced by lower-quality feedstocks
More
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| Flow metering vacuum tower bottoms |
Rainer Wetzel, Flexim
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2011 / Q4 |
A clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter can make flow measurement at the bottom of vacuum distillation towers more reliable.
More
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| Options for lower-sulphur marine fuels |
Karl Bartholomew and Antonios Panagiotopoulos, KBC
|
2011 / Q4 |
Adjusting to new sulphur specifications for bunker fuel requires careful planning, taking into account market dynamics
More
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| Crude column relief mitigation |
Mohamed Abouelhassan, Simply Simulation Inc
|
2011 / Q4 |
Mitigation of plant-wide relief loads can greatly improve the safety of the plant, reduce flaring and be used as the basis for building smaller relief systems
More
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| Catalysts for maximising middle distillates |
Ruben Miravalles, Tamara Galindo, Repsol
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2012 / Q1 |
Collaboration in catalyst development and application, from laboratory scale to commercial operation, enabled a refiner to achieve production objectives.
More
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| Improved catalytic reforming |
Anthony Poparad, Beatrix Ellis, Bryan Glover and Stephen Metro, UOP LLC, A Honeywell Company
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2012 / Q1 |
Catalyst solutions help to improve the profitability and reliability of reforming units
More
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| Optimizing pumparound reflux for zero-cost energy savings |
Ahmet Bebek and Sule Seda Ay, Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation
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2012 / Q2 |
By increasing pumparound ratios in principal units, refinery engineers were able to recover energy for process heating and reduce stack emissions
More
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| Crude preheat fouling control helps reduce CO2 emissions |
Andre Vanhove and Alain Pothuaud, GE Water & Process Technologies
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2012 / Q2 |
Modelling key performance indicators quantifies the impact of fouling in the hot preheat train and helps to identify the benefits of a planned treatment programme
More
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| A novel investiation approach linking to risk assessment |
Robin Pitblado and Mark Fisher, Det Norske Veritas
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2012 / Q2 |
A novel incident investigation approach provides information on both management system and risk barrier failures.
More
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| Improved heat recovery from a hydrotreater |
Peter Ellerby, Cal Gavin
|
2012 / Q2 |
A Russian refinery aimed to reduce the load on a hydrotreater's fired heater by increasing the performance of the feed/effluent exchanger
More
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| Column preheat improvement to debottleneck furnace operation |
Said Al Zahrani, Samit Roy and Edwin Bright, Saudi Aramco
|
2012 / Q2 |
Simulation helped to identify and mitigate the root cause of a furnace bottleneck to maximise the removal of light ends in the feed to a preflash column
More
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| Useful tips for fired heater optimisation |
Nikki Bishop and Barbara Hamilton, Emerson Process Management
|
2012 / Q2 |
Model predictive control that is native to the regulatory control processor provides high-speed, redundant and robust control for process fired heaters
More
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| High-Purity propylene from refinery LPG |
Ed Palmer, Ian Glasgow, Sachin Nijhawan, Debra Clark and Lambert Guzman, Mustang Engineering
|
2012 / Q2 |
A case study and financial analysis show that investment opportunities for refiners exist with the expected future high price of propylene
More
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| Assessing the impact of carbon pricing on refinery profitability |
Joris Mertens, KBC Process Technology
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2012 / Q2 |
The carbon cost to the European refining industry arising from EU policy will depend on the carbon price and on the refinery's carbon footprint
More
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| Carbon capture options for refiners |
Suzanne Ferguson and Mike Stockle, Foster Wheeler
|
2012 / Q2 |
An outline methodology identifies the most appropriate way to achieve a refinery's carbon capture goal
More
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| High-performance trays alone do not guarantee performance improvements |
Sounho Lee, GTC Technology US Libor Hojsik, GTC Technology Europe Myunghyun Kim and Daeyoung Jung, Hyundai Oil Bank
|
2012 / Q2 |
A high-performance tray does not itself determine the effectiveness of the whole column. Other distillation equipment plays a vital role in a successful column revamp.
More
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| Combination mechanical slurry conditioning and filtration |
Barry Perlmutter, BHS-Filtration
|
2012 / Q2 |
A novel definition of combination filtration provides process engineers with a framework for analysing operating bottlenecks
More
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| Optimise hydrocracker operations for maximum distillates |
Prashant Parihar, Ravi K Voolapalli, Rajeev Kumar, Srinivasulu Kaalva, Biswanath Saha and P S Viswanathan, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, India
|
2012 / Q2 |
Estimation of an accurate operating window for a hydrocracker enables refiners to minimise yields of light ends and maximise diesel production
More
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| Optimised reactor internals for a hydroprocessing unit |
Tai-Sheng Chou, H2Adance
|
2012 / Q2 |
Optimised distributor and quench box design can improve catalyst performance and unit reliability
More
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| Accurate quality checks in catalyst regeneration |
Atul Dave, Consultant
|
2012 / Q2 |
A method based on density measurement delivers fast and repeatable analysis of chlorination agents used in catalyst regeneration
More
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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
|
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
|
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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