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| Integrating power recovery into FCCU operations |
Keith Couch, Leonard Bell and John Yarborough, UOP LLC
|
2006 / Q4 |
Case
studies of FCC flue gas power-recovery systems, beginning with
traditional maximum electrical power generation configurations.
New PRTs are presented, with a focus on reducing total erected cost and
optimised energy integrations with improved ROI.
More
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| Risk-based maintenance |
Brian G Hudson, ABB Engineering Services
|
2006 / Q4 |
Top-down
approach case studies use qualitative and semi-quantitative asessment
models to build a picture of risk, review current mitigation and
identify immediate action to improve risk management and increase
reliability.
More
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| Refinery CO2 challenges: part IV |
Vicente de Pablo Burna, CEPSA Gibraltar Refinery
Jem Hart and Allan Rudman, KBC Process Technology Ltd
|
2006 / Q4 |
Reducing
CO2 emissions with a strategic energy-improvement programme. The
strategic energy review approach is summarised and results from recent
studies conducted at a European refinery are discussed.
More
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| Benchmarking og linear programming |
J C M (Hans) Hartmann, Hans C M Hartmann Refinery Consultancy
|
2006 / Q4 |
As
the preferred decision-support-tool for the oil industry supply chain,
benchmarking of linear programming is as important as benchmarking
actual refinery operations.
More
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| Hydrogen sourcing for refinery expansions |
Dennis A Vauk, Air Liquide Large Industries US LP
Pietro Di Zanno, Air Liquide SA
Scott Savage, Air Liquide Large Industries US LP
|
2006 / Q4 |
Many
factors influence the decision to build or outsource the supply of
hydrogen. Synergies obtained from a third-party OTF supply should
be evaluated in addtion to typical recovery routes from fuel gas,
revamped SMRs or new SMR projects.
More
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| Control room consolidation part II: design trends |
Bob Shepard, Invensys Process Systems
|
2006 / Q4 |
Part
I identified the operating factors to consider when consolidating a
group of distributed control rooms. Part II explores the design
and systemic measures that can enchance productivity while satisfying
needs for process safety and risk management.
More
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| Managing training simulator projects |
Nick Harbud, Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd
|
2006 / Q4 |
Operator
training simulators are not cheap, yet their value in preparing
personnel for the fast startup and operation of new process plants is
significant. Tight control of information and a well-manageed OTS
supplier are key to success.
More
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| Evaluating opportunity crude processing |
Thomas W Yeung, Hydrocarbon Publishing Company
|
2006 / Q4 |
Is
processing opportunity crudes for every refiner? Technical challenges
and economic benefits from processing high-acid crudes and
botton-of-the-barrel feedstocks are identified.
More
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| Selective asphaltene removal from heavy oil |
Keng H Chung, Zhiming Xu, Xuewen Sun, Suoqi Zhao and Chunming Xu, China State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing.
|
2006 / Q4 |
Case
study of a selective asphaltene extraction process for heavy crude or
residuum. Desirable oil components are recovered and the
asphaltene-free heavies can be processed in conventional refining
operations.
More
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| Overcoming unpredictable industry challenges |
Frank Whitsura, Honeywell Process Solutions
|
2006 / Q4 |
Integrated
solutions help refiners overcome unpredictable industry
challenges. through a continuous improvement cycle, refiners can
derive insight from the plan, perform and perfect stages.
More
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| Integrated expander control system |
Krishnan Naryanan and Farooq Sheikh, Compressor Controls Corporation
|
2006 / Q4 |
Commissioning
of an integrated turbomachinery controls system at a world-scale PTA
plant. The expander control system requirements described are
applicable to power recovery trains found in process units with hot-gas
energy.
More
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| Vacuum unit design for high metals crudes |
Scott W Golden, Tony Barletta and Steve White, Process Consulting Services
|
2007 / Q1 |
Vacuum
unit design can influence vacuum gas yield, product quality and run
length. A wet vacuum unit with residue stripping achieves the
highest cutpoint and produces the lowest metals content.
More
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| Converting a DHT to ULSD service |
Kirit Sanghavi, Alon USA Sal Torrisi, Criterion Catalysts & Technologies
|
2007 / Q1 |
One
refinery overcame the challenge of converting its diesel hydrotreater
from LSD to ULSD service with creative solutions for a low investment
cost, much below the industry average cost.
More
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| Avoiding boiler feed water corrosion |
Kari J Enqvist, Borealis Polymers Oy
|
2007 / Q1 |
Investigating
corrosive chemicals in BFW, defective analysing systems and incomplete
treatment of steam systems, resulting in serious transfer line
exchanger failures. A number of incidents initiated the thorough
investigation of root causes.
More
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| Exploiting unconventional heavy oils |
Jeffrey S Plotkin, Nexant Inc
|
2007 / Q1 |
Potential
opportunities exist for developming the heaviest of the
non-conventional hydrocarbons. The decline of conventional oils
can be mitigated through the ingenuity and technology brought to
unconventional heavy oil upgrading.
More
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| Gamma scanning fractionators |
Brian Kirmse and Kevin Krase, Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company Dave Ferguson, Tracerco Inc
|
2007 / Q1 |
Gamma
scanning is a powerful tool that can be used to determine the cause of
flooding and regain column efficiency. Debutaniser capacity and
performance were improved after tower scanning technology pinpointed
mechanical and hydraulic defects.
More
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| Optimising heat recovery with CPHEs |
Eva Andersson, Alfa Laval Packinox
|
2007 / Q1 |
Compact
plate heat exchangers are an efficient way to optimise heat recovery in
refineries, especially when installation space or weight is crucial and
exotic materials are needed to deal with corrosion issues.
More
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| Asset management strategies |
William D Turner, Jacobs Constructors Inc
|
2007 / Q1 |
The
Six-Sigma approach to asset management describes the level of
variations or defects present in a process. Identifying critical
processes and their contributing input variables provides opportunities
to remedy the sources of defects.
More
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| Magnetic imaging of pyrolysis feedstocks |
Preetinder S Virk, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
|
2007 / Q1 |
Olefin
feedstock characterisation fills the need to engineer and predict the
performance of modern pyrolysis coils that must crack diverse
feedstocks at ever-increasing temperatures, reaction severities and
product selectivities.
More
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| High-severity FCC operation |
Y Fujiyama, N Nakanishi, Nippon Oil Corporation C Dean, M Al-Tayyar, Saudi Arabian Oil Company A Aitani, M Saeed, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
|
2007 / Q1 |
High-severity
catalytic cracking using a proprietary down-flow reactor can maximise
propylene production. The new process features a high reaction
temperature and high catalyst-to-oil ratio along with a short contact
time.
More
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| Gasification technologies for hydrogen manufacturing |
Joachim Wolff, Shell Global Solutions International BV
|
2007 / Q2 |
Gasification
technology can follow on from upgrading and treating technoloiges to
convert a wide range of heavy residues into syngas, which can be used
as clean fuel for high-efficiency IGCC power generation or to produce
H2 and/or CO.
More
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| Hydrogen plant safety |
V G Bahad, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd
|
2007 / Q2 |
Hydrogen-generation
unit safety during startup and shutdown is based on experience
sharing. The safe startup of any process unit depends on the
knowledge base of the operating and maintenance personnel.
More
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| Hydrogen recovery from refinery offgases |
A K Jain, G D Goyal and M K Joshi, Engineers India Ltd
|
2007 / Q2 |
Use
of pressure swing adsorption to extract hydrogen from offgases that
would otherwise be combusted in the refinery fuel system.
Increasing hydrogen purity by steam reforming, effect of tail gas
pressure and other considerations are discussed.
More
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| Alkylating isolbutylene with isobutane |
Todd Vogt, Catalytic Distillation Technologies (CDTECH)
|
2007 / Q2 |
Pairing
of isobutylene pretreatment with low-temperature alkylation offers
dehydro-based MTBE operators the opportunity to incorporate isobutane
with isobutylene to produce large volumes of high-quality gasoline
blendstock.
More
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| Self-inflicted contaminants and fouling |
Allison A Fielder and Mark B Schmidt, DuPont Sabine River Works Raghu K Menon, Sud-Chemie Inc
|
2007 / Q2 |
Pairing of isobutylene pretreatment with low-temperature alkylation
offers dehydro-based MTBE operators the opportunity to incorporate
isobutane with isobutylene to produce large volumes of high-quality
gasoline blendstock.
More
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| Sulphuric acid alkylation developments |
Amarjit Bakshi, Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
|
2007 / Q2 |
A
recently developed alkylation technology incorporates low-temperature
isothermal operation and a refrigeration compressor. The
acid-hydrocarbon separation incorporates simple coalescers and readily
available reactor-contactor internals.
More
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| Meeting changes in plant production targets |
Dieter Krenz, Linde AG
|
2007 / Q2 |
Overview
of a syngas plant automatic load controller shows how reliability is
maintained. The functionality built into the plant automation
concept allows the plant to remain in operation, even in the event of a
unit trip.
More
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| Integrated treating options for sour natural gases |
T J Brook, Shell Global Solutions International BV
|
2007 / Q2 |
Two
cases for treating sour natural gas with H2S, CO and mercaptans are
discussed. These configurations are designed to prepare a treated
gas that is suitable for GTL and LNG applications or normal pipeline
gas specifications.
More
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| Reformer technology for hydrogen |
Suresh Chandra Gupta and Kamalesh Karkun, NOIDA, Projects & Development India Ltd
|
2007 / Q2 |
Various
retrofitting and debottlenecking options are available for improving
the rated capacity, operating efficiency and energy efficiency of steam
hydrocarbon reformers in hydrogen plants.
More
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| Ethylene cracking furnaces influence burner design |
Richard Martin, Callidus Technologies LLC
|
2007 / Q2 |
Burner
testing and CFD modelling can assure a burner will perform
properly. Special considerations are discussed for improving
burner combustion characteristics in new compact thermal cracking
furnace radiant sections.
More
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| FCC fundamentals: coke yield/delta coke |
Ziad S Jawad, Shaw Energy and Chemicals
|
2007 / Q2 |
A
summary of FCC fundamentals and technology options. Understanding
the options available to control the FCC unit's coke yield and delta
coke is significant due to their direct impact on FCC operations and
refinery profitability.
More
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| Reliability of IGCC power-generation units |
Christopher Higman, Syngas Consultants Ltd
Salvatore A DellaVilla and Robert F Steele Jr, Strategic Power Systems Inc
|
2007 / Q2 |
Reliability
is key to improving IGCC power-generation unit economics, provided it
can be achieved with excessive Capex increases. However, focus on
a single subsystem such as gasification is insufficient for the success
of the overall IGCC concept.
More
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| Maximising hydrogen availability |
Mahendra C Shah, Dharnendra C Jawali and Rajesh K Patel, Reliance Industries Ltd
|
2007 / Q2 |
Case
study of a hydrogen complex discuss interaction of hydrogen processing
steps with overall refinery productivity. Hydrogen partial
pressures, pinch options and other important operating parameters
influence economics.
More
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| Advanced combustion system for cracking furnaces |
Roger Poe, Ashok Patel, Charles E Baukal and Daniel Wright, John Zink Company LLC
|
2007 / Q2 |
A
discussion of design considerations for burner technology used in
cracking furnaces. Significant improvements include more uniform
heat flux profile, wider turndown, stable flame, high combustion
efficiency, and low CO and NOx emissions.
More
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| Determination of crude properties |
Didier Lambert, Topnir Systems
|
2007 / Q2 |
Real-time
knowledge of crude properties is obtained via management software
applied to a crude network. With the resulting better
characterisation and optimisation, an increase in throughput from the
additional crude processed leads to increased revenue.
More
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| Turbine oil conditioning in process facilities |
Brian McNeil and Tim Mills, Kaydon Custom Filtration
|
2007 / Q2 |
Strategic
modelling for turbine oil conditions in refineries and petrochemical
plants focuses on different types of filtration equipment and the
philosophy that accompanies each.
More
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| Realities of rising costs |
John Jenins, Jacobs Consultancy Inc
|
2007 / Q3 |
Material
costs, inflation, shortage of engineering expertise and other risk
factors have changed the way contractors and operating companies work
together to control project costs. Business practicies that
address these issues are discussed.
More
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| FCC propylene production |
Ketih A Couch, James P Glavin, Dave A Wegerer and Jibreel A Qafisheh, UOP LLC
|
2007 / Q3 |
Factors
influencing the selection of propylene yield design points and a
comparative study of an absorption-based gas concentration unit
relative to cold-box recovery design show how refiners can leverage
existing assets to close the market gap for propylene production.
More
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| The FCC unit as a propylene source |
Charles Radclife, Intercat Inc
|
2007 / Q3 |
The
FCCU is an important source of propylene production. Hardware and
catalyst design changes can increase the propylene yield, but ZSM-5 and
other additives are essential to optimise and retain the flexibility to
respond to today's and tomorrow's challenges.
More
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| Crude overhead system design considerations |
Tony Barletta and Steve White, Process Consulting Services
|
2007 / Q3 |
Proper
crude unit overhead system design is important when building a new unit
or revamping an existing one to process different crudes.
Overhead condenser designs should meet the specific processing
objectives, such as distillate yield, run length and energy recovery.
More
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| Elimination of refinery sour gases and trace components |
Hans-Peter Kaballo, Ulvi Kerestecioglu and Harald Klein, Linde Enginering Division, Linde AG
|
2007 / Q3 |
Case
study concerning elimination of sour gases and trace components from
gasifiction gases. The objective is to produce pure hydrogen for
hydrotreating within a refinery, and a feed gas for energy production
in an IGCC.
More
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| Evaluation of sulphur-reducing technologies |
Lauren Blanchard, Grace Davison Craig Borchert and Min Pu, Valero Energy Corporation
|
2007 / Q3 |
Case
study where the impact of a FCC feed hydrotreater outage was minimised
by running carefully selected feeds combined with sulphur-reducing
technology appropriate for the type of sulphur species expected to be
processed during the outage.
More
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| Selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons |
Amarjit Bakshi, Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
|
2007 / Q3 |
Selective
hydrogenation and isomerisation of diolefins using fixed-bed
conventional technology in a two-phase reactor configuration can help
refiners to meet sulphur and aromatics limits for fuels such as
gasoline, kerosene and diesel.
More
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| Upgrading an olefin polymerrisation unit |
David Verbitsky, Mitrajit Mukherjee and James Nehlsen, Exelus Inc
|
2007 / Q3 |
A
solid-acid catalyst (SAC) alkylation process can be used to effectively
revamp an olefin polymerisation unit with minimal costs. An
engineered SAC has been designed at multiple levels to give long life,
resistance to poisons and high product octane.
More
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| Fieldbus technology in LNG and GTL plants |
David Wood, David Wood & Associates Saeid Mokhatab, Tehran Raymund Consulting Engineers
|
2007 / Q3 |
Complex
LNG and GTL processing facilities at remote sites can benefit from
Fieldbus technology. Its predictive maintenance and plant
interrogation capabilities can add to the overall reliability of the
digital-based control system.
More
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| Expanding FCCU wet gas compressor capacity |
Tek Sutikno, Fluor Corporation
|
2007 / Q3 |
Parametric
correlations can predit WGC performance curves at different speeds and
molecular weights. However, performance curves in a range of
speeds and suction pressures must first be made available.
More
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| Dynamic simulation of a FCC unit |
Yiannis Bessiris and Vassilis Harismiadis, Hyperion Systems Engineering Ltd
|
2007 / Q3 |
Increasingly
complex FCC operations, such as predicting FCCU operation after
switching from a conventional feed to a hydrotreated one, can benefit
from simulation applications that improve the unit's real-time control
system.
More
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| Upgrade of a tail-end acetylene converter |
Edgar Mohundro, BASF Fina Petrochemicals Sam Valleru, Scott Miller and Juergen Fuchs, BASF Corporation Dimitri Mertens de Wilmars and Bruno Leaustic, Total Petrochemicals
|
2007 / Q3 |
An
acetylene converter's poor performance was improved through the
implementation of a succession of changes. Over a period
involving several strategies, all acetylene off-specification incidents
and flaring events were eventually eliminated.
More
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| Refining biofeedstock innovations |
Jennifer Holmgren, Chris Gosling, Keith Couch, Tom Kalnes, Terry Marker, Michael McCall and Richard Marinangeli, UOP-Honeywell
|
2007 / Q3 |
Analysis
of processing routes for producing renewable diesel, gasoline and
olefins with feedstocks that include vegetable oil, pyrolysis oil and
biomass. Biorenewable integration in refineries is evaluated
along with work to commercially produce green diesel.
More
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| Distillate fuels from Coal-to-liquids processing |
J Mark Landrum and Jon Warzel, Baker & O'Brien Inc
|
2007 / Q3 |
Numerous
factors affect CTL economics and the technology for converting
different qualities of coal into transportation fuels, chemicals and
intermediates. Potential yields are based on future market
conditions relative to crude prices and conventional refinery
operations.
More
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| Industrial flaring: efficiency and smokeless combustion |
Olavo C Leite, Flare Industries Inc
|
2007 / Q3 |
Flaring
large volumes of gas by combustion should be safe, cost-effective and
environmental friendly. Criteria ang general rules for industrial
flaring steam include flare size and design, ability to entrain
atmospheric air and other parameters.
More
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| Recycling of polyethylene production wastes |
A S Sultanov and S A Berdiev, NHC Uzbekneftegaz Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex
|
2007 / Q3 |
Various
rubber products including glues and rubber seals can be manufactured
from compounds derived from the recycling of low-molecular polyethylene
waste (LMPE)
More
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