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Jan-2017
In 2016, global growth should fall to 3.1% before rising back up to 3.4% in 2017 according to IMF’s latest estimations. Long-term perspectives in industrialised ...
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Feb-2006
FCC catalyst technology can help refiners processing resids overcome any negative effects on unit operation and operate more profitably and efficientl ...
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Unconventional crude upgrading challenges
Oct-2007
Case studies of upgrader technology selection such as blending of syncrude with bitumen and other intermediates
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Jul-2014
Recovery factors achieved by improved recovery techniques indicate that crude oil reserves in Alberta’s bitumen sands are the largest on earth
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Tier 3 gasoline from tight oil crudes
Jun-2017
Assessing process schemes to counter loss of gasoline road octane when the crude feed includes tight oil
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Monitoring against process problems
Apr-2016
Careful monitoring for preheat exchanger fouling and H2S release during unloading is vital when tight oil blends are processed.
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Revamping a bitumen heating system
Jul-2019
A redesigned oil based heating system for bitumen storage and sales saves energy and eliminates customer complaints.
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Impact of bitumen feeds 
on the FCCU: part II
Oct-2008
Refinery configuration optimisation through LP modelling identifies attractive investments for processing Western Canadian Select. These investments involve ...
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Increasing hydrogen plant capacity
Mar-2021
A validated model enabled analysis of five potential revamps for an increase in hydrogen production
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Combining mesoporosity with metals tolerance for residue upgrading in FCC
Jul-2013
This article highlights the performance of Grace resid FCC catalysts with a range of zeolite-to-matrix (Z/M) ratios, optimised mesoporosity and metals ...
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Dealing with depleting sour gas reserves Part 2
Oct-2015
Gas plants in western Canada will have to evaluate their sulphur recovery units for future turndown operation as sour gas production falls.
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Jan-2016
2015 was highlighted by a crude oversupply of 1.3 million b/d, which played a part in keeping oil prices at a low level, fluctuating between $40 and $60/bbl. ...
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Decontamination of a crude/vacuum unit (TIA)
Apr-2016
A major oil company wanted to make a final validation of ITW Online Cleaning and ITW Improved Degassing/Decontamination technologies to use them strategically ...
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Research and development of novel heavy oil catalytic cracking catalyst RCC-1
Jan-2015
With an increasing supply of heavier feedstock for the catalytic cracking unit, the FCC catalyst is required to possess a higher activity and more unobstructed ...
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Development of a naphthenic acid corrosion model
Jul-2019
A model has been developed to predict and help prevent corrosion when processing high TAN crudes.
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Predicting reactive heavy oil process operation
Oct-2014
Characterisation of feed and product yields through component structures for better understanding and prediction of operations
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Surviving the global economic and legislative tsunamis
Jul-2009
Changes and challenges are sweeping the refining industry into a new era. Primary processing units will remain essential, but their roles will change ...
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Aug-2019
Analysing desalter performance and improving crude blending capacity with multi-phase instrumentation and control.
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Jan-2009
The steady progress made in the oil sands industry up to Q3 2008 will eventually resume. For now, an examination of the favourable market conditions and ...
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Oct-2020
Response to a question in the Q3 2020 issue of PTQ
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High-acid crude processing enabled by unique use of computational fluid dynamics
Oct-2013
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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Cleaning amine units cost effectively
May-2021
Heat stable salts are dissolved or avoided by chemical products and cleaning methods during operations and turnarounds.
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Improving level control in desalters to aid in use of opportunity crudes
Sep-2019
Refineries are a complex set of various operating units designed to process crude oil into refined products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuels and feedstocks ...
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Maintaining reliability when processing opportunity crudes
Oct-2013
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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Oct-2020
Responses to a question in the Q3 2020 issue of PTQ
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Unconventional crude oil selection and compatibility
Mar-2011
Crude selection and compatibility considerations are a critical part of a successful refinery operation. Constantly changing quality conventional and unconventional ...
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Designing the CDU/VDU for opportunity crudes
Oct-2012
New units for processing heavy crudes should not be designed using conventional practices or run length will be short, and product yields and quality ...
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Jan-2006
Cost-effective exchanger network solutions need to rely on more than just pinch technology if they are to be successful
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Processing heavy 
ends: part II
Oct-2008
Improvements in the SDA technology incorporated into ROSE units, together with expanding options for asphaltene product utilisation, have led to an increased ...
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Addressing the sour gas challenge
Dec-2019
Recent developments in corrosion resistant alloys help operators to overcome the challenges of hydrogen sulphide induced cracking in pipelines and key ...
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Building robust hydroprocessing operations
Jun-2017
Advances in catalyst technology enable refiners to maximise profitability by processing opportunity crudes and running heavier feeds.
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Risks of accumulated sulphur in sulphur recovery unit
Aug-1998
Follow-up data to an October 1997 article proves with refinery experience that caustic neutralisation does not improve system operations
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Unconventional crude upgrading challenges
Oct-2007
Case studies of upgrader technology selection such as blending of syncrude with bitumen and other intermediates
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Gasification/IGCC to improve refinery operations
Apr-2008
Gasification and IGCC in refineries is discussed in light of increased attention to CO2 emissions and environmental performance.
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Unlocking current 
refinery constraints
Apr-2008
When processing heavy feeds, technology based on residuum supercritical solvent extraction provides higher volumes of gas oil and DAO for conversion units. ...
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Designing a crude unit heat 
exchanger network
Oct-2012
Preheat train design for heavy Canadian crudes can be very challenging, requiring an approach not normally required with other crudes
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Improved conceptual process design avoids revamp scope growth
Mar-2002
For grassroots design, defining project scope is a straightforward exercise. Grassroots projects can follow optimum execution procedures for engineering ...
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Advances in residue upgrading technology
Apr-2002
A combination of mature technology and innovative catalyst design and process improvements provide the flexibility to upgrade heavier feeds
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Managing vanadium from high metals crude oils
Sep-2003
Improvements in process and equipment design with regard to crude unit and delayed coker distillation column performance can reduce metals content
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Oct-2005
Process modelling and equipment know-how are needed to design deep-cut vacuum units that operate reliably at high temperature and low pressure
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Feb-2006
FCC catalyst technology can help refiners processing resids overcome any negative effects on unit operation and operate more profitably and efficientl ...
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Hydrocarbon removal from amines demonstrated experience
Mar-2006
Bringing amine system contaminants down to low levels has reduced operational problems. Several large operating facilities are now using the latest technology ...
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Reducing FCC SOx in 
partial-burn regenerators
Apr-2008
Latest developments in SOx-reduction additives are discussed along with their relative merits and appropriate applications
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Analysing economic viability of opportunity crudes
Jul-2008
Challenges to refinery heavy oil upgrades are discussed. Demand for heavy and high-TAN crudes continues to rise as light sweet crude reserves decline. ...
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Additives for real-time FCC catalyst optimisation
Jul-2009
The ability to optimise the circulating inventory composition remains an elusive independent variable. A solution to this often overlooked variable is ...
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FCC flue gas scrubber alternatives: part II
Oct-2009
The merits of combining additives and barrier filters as a cost-effective alternative to meeting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions targets
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Unique qualities of Canadian bitumen and synthetic crudes
Jan-2010
As production of Canadian bitumen and synthetic crude oil expands, North American refinery feed slates enter new territory in terms of crude oil quali ...
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Optimising the FCC regenerator for reduced emissions
Oct-2010
Increasing scrutiny of FCC stack emissions calls for special attention to be paid to the regenerator’s combustion zone
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Maximise distillate yield to meet growing market demand
Jun-2012
Despite a mild winter thus far, industry analysts forecast ULSD demand growth in the second half of 2012. This is in part due to global demand growth for ...
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Jan-2013
Poor-quality crude oils and strict environmental regulations promote the use of technologies that favour energy savings and environmental protection
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Impact of bitumen feeds 
on the FCCU: part II
Oct-2008
Refinery configuration optimisation through LP modelling identifies attractive investments for processing Western Canadian Select. These investments involve ...
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Processing heavy 
ends: part II
Oct-2008
Improvements in the SDA technology incorporated into ROSE units, together with expanding options for asphaltene product utilisation, have led to an increased ...
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Impact of bitumen feeds 
on the FCCU: part I
Jul-2008
The impact of processing bitumen-derived feeds on FCC operations and product yields is assessed, and the capital investments required to process varying ...
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Processing heavy 
ends: part I
Jul-2008
The synergy of solvent deasphalting and FCC can provide economic access to heavy ends. Pilot plant data on bottom-of-the-barrel processing options are ...
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Analysing economic viability of opportunity crudes
Jul-2008
Challenges to refinery heavy oil upgrades are discussed. Demand for heavy and high-TAN crudes continues to rise as light sweet crude reserves decline. ...
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Tar sands oil upgrading technology
Apr-2008
Technology for processing heavy crudes and bitumen-derived materials such as synthetic crude oil are examined, along with the challenges they present to ...
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Unlocking current 
refinery constraints
Apr-2008
When processing heavy feeds, technology based on residuum supercritical solvent extraction provides higher volumes of gas oil and DAO for conversion units. ...
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Gasification/IGCC to improve refinery operations
Apr-2008
Gasification and IGCC in refineries is discussed in light of increased attention to CO2 emissions and environmental performance.
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Reducing FCC SOx in 
partial-burn regenerators
Apr-2008
Latest developments in SOx-reduction additives are discussed along with their relative merits and appropriate applications
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Canadian crude processing challenges
Jan-2008
Vacuum unit design influences liquid volume yields, run length, product 
yield and product quality when processing bitumen crude oils
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Oil/water interface control for desalters
Oct-2007
Profiling instrument provides vertical real-time phase density measurement in desalter vessels. Benefits include reduced process upsets from interface ...
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Unconventional crude upgrading challenges
Oct-2007
Case studies of upgrader technology selection such as blending of syncrude with bitumen and other intermediates
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Elimination of refinery sour gases and trace components
Jul-2007
Case study concerning elimination of sour gases and trace components from gasification gases. The objective is to produce pure hydrogen for hydrotreating ...
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Crude overhead system design considerations
Jul-2007
Proper crude unit overhead system design is important when building a new unit or revamping an existing one to process different crudes
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Feb-2007
Why there is no excuse for operating a dirty amine system. The benefits of reclaiming amine systems are trumpeted by many and doubted by others.
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Evaluating opportunity crude processing
Oct-2006
Is processing opportunity crudes for every refiner? Technical challenges and economic benefits from processing high-acid crudes and bottom-of-the-barrel ...
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Reducing refinery SOx emissions
Jul-2006
Through an extensive study and 18-month trial, a Canadian refinery chose SOx reduction additive technology to reduce its SOx emissions
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Profiting with FCC feedstock diversity
Jul-2006
Gasoline sulphur-reduction catalysts and additives can provide additional options and flexibility while maximising refinery profitability
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Apr-2006
When designing vacuum units for processing heavy Canadian crudes, reliability costs can be high if the feedstock’s thermal instability is not fully ...
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Apr-2006
An examination into the feedstock and process conditions where solvent deasphalting is the most appropriate technology for upgrading residue
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Improving FCC catalyst performance
Mar-2006
Higher volumes of heavier feeds can be processed with additives designed to enhance base catalyst effectiveness. Deactivation and dehydrogenation problems ...
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Hydrocarbon removal from amines demonstrated experience
Mar-2006
Bringing amine system contaminants down to low levels has reduced operational problems. Several large operating facilities are now using the latest technology ...
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Feb-2006
FCC catalyst technology can help refiners processing resids overcome any negative effects on unit operation and operate more profitably and efficientl ...
-
Jan-2006
Cost-effective exchanger network solutions need to rely on more than just pinch technology if they are to be successful
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Corrosion monitoring improvements
Oct-2005
Case study examines prediction, monitoring and mitigation of corrosion-related effects at a West European refinery operating in a high temperature, naphthenic ...