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Why vacuum unit fired heaters coke
Oct-2004
A description of the internal workings of vacuum heaters and the causes of coke formation within them
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Enhance processing with capacity control of reciprocating compressors
Apr-2014
Improvements to refinery, petrochemical and gas processing are available from the full-range stepless capacity control of reciprocating compressors
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Simulation model increases 
visbreaker conversion
Jan-2011
Introduction of advanced analytical monitoring, chemical treatment and process optimisation has raised the profitability of a visbreaker unit
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Maximisation of VGO through deep-cut distillation for refinery margins
Jan-2011
Appropriate choice of crude and/or crude oil blends as feedstock and a vacuum tower revamp enable higher production of vacuum gas oil
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Using physical solvent in multiple applications
Apr-2012
A physical solvent’s properties and versatility in a variety of flow schemes for energy-efficient gas treating in a range of applications are discus ...
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Feb-2016
An understanding of process basics and fouling mechanisms enables increased run length in problem columns.
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Jul-2011
UOP Callidus supplies and installs complete systems and various subsystem components for CO boilers and other FCC related ancillary equipment.
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Diesel hydrotreating and mild hydrocracking
Oct-2011
Increased hydroprocessing capability must provide an acceptable long-term return on capital, while producing the desired product yields and qualities
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Choosing a selective hydrogenation system
Oct-2002
Data has shown the effectiveness of palladium catalyst for the removal of diolefins and acetylenes in steam cracking as well as catalytic cracking
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Detection of VOCs demands continuous innovation in calibration gases
Oct-2011
With an ever-increasing number of processing plants coming on stream worldwide to keep up with the burgeoning petrochemical industry, the focus on the ...
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A flexible approach to refinery olefin alkylation
Apr-2002
Safety issues concerning HF alkylation units, combined with incentives to process a wider range of olefin feedstock, has resulted in options for converting ...
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Estimating compressor power and condenser duty in a refrigerant system
Oct-2010
A simple-to-use predictive tool calculates compressor power and condenser duty per refrigeration duty in a three-stage propane refrigerant system
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Optimising profits by blending butane (TIA)
Jun-2015
Many countries legally mandate the observation of the maximum gasoline vapour pressure to prevent air pollution and ensure the safe transport and storage ...
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Tube rupture in a natural gas heater
Feb-2016
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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Controlling corrosion in amine treatment units
Apr-2011
A range of measures can be taken to minimise corrosion in amine units. The amine unit plays a vital role in the petroleum refining, gas processing, coal ...
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Catalytic oxidation of spent caustic
Jul-2011
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 relea ...
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An atmospheric crude tower revamp
Jul-2005
Overall gas oil yield was maintained with heavier crudes due to a crude tower revamp. The revamp allowed for a crude heater outlet temperature reducti ...
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Oct-2010
Separation technology is not complex, but separators deliver a range of benefits in ethylene cracking
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Foaming in fractionation columns
Oct-2015
By understanding the foaming process and its root causes, steps can be taken to eliminate or minimise the formation of foaming.
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Crude oil sourcing: price and opportunity
Apr-2017
Sourcing crudes for the best refining margin needs to be supported by a detailed procurement strategy.
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Olefins plant cracker gas compressor fouling
Apr-2007
Monitoring and treating process gas compressors to prevent corrosion and fouling. Several examples of improved compressor performance through the utilisation ...
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The challenges of crude blending - Part 1
Feb-2016
Declining crude prices encourage more spot purchases that save costs, but mixing different grades can create headaches for refiners.
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Maximise ethylene gain and acetylene selective hydrogenation efficiency
Mar-2013
Third-generation stabilised front-end selective acetylene hydrogenation catalysts provide high selectivity, low sensitivity to CO swings and slow deac ...
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Refinery fuel gas in steam reforming hydrogen plants
Mar-2012
Fuel gas is an attractive feedstock for hydrogen production, but appropriate 
catalysts and temperature control are needed to address high olefin ...
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FCC fundamentals: turnaround best practices
Apr-2009
Basic procedures and activities are presented for the unit engineer and other support personnel, designed to ensure a successful and safe 
FCC t ...
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Desalter chemical programmes for opportunity crudes
Nov-2021
Opportunity crude processing can present many challenges including incompatibility, high calcium and tramp amines.
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High capacity valves for distillation towers
Nov-2021
Advanced valves deliver higher column capacity while meeting process requirements such as wider operating range and higher fouling resistance
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A streamlined approach for FCC catalyst and additive management and order fulfilment (ERTC)
Dec-2021
Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, and we apply our cutting-edge science to create solutions with our customers that make ...
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How to successfully upgrade plastic pyrolysis oil and make it suitable for a steam cracker (ERTC)
Dec-2021
As the plastics industry is slowly taking action with recycling and renewables initiatives, the global demand for plastics continues to increase.
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Optimising hydrotreating catalyst reuse with Excel rejuvenation technology (ERTC)
Dec-2021
The refining industry is currently under pressure to optimise profit margins in challenging financial conditions while adapting to a changing global climate ...
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Optimising critical level control in desalters by using multiphase level measurements
Dec-2021
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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Carbon capture with least opex and capex
Jan-2022
Recommendations on how to optimise the mass and heat balance of the process and equipment designs of a typical post-combustion CO2 capture unit.
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Study of CCRU first reformer reactor ∆P behaviour using multiple linear regression
Apr-2022
Determinants and explanatory variables affecting the behaviour of the first reformer reactor ∆P are identified, with the aim of controlling it and ...
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Why hydrocarbon-based energy will continue dominating the market
Apr-2022
A crucial factor in generating power and producing transportation fuels from renewable resources depends on efficient supply and distribution. For example, ...
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Revamp of a methanol wash column
Jun-2022
Installation of high performance trays and internals enabled a successful revamp for a syngas purification process.
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Artificial intelligence for sustainable development
Jun-2022
AI and machine learning technologies support the modern hydrocarbon processing industry by adopting business strategies and developing artificial solu ...
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Understanding the value of arc flash management and mitigation for large electric process heaters
Jun-2022
While larger medium voltage process heaters are relatively new in hydrocarbon processing, the safety issues surrounding medium-voltage equipment are well ...
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Jul-2022
ASTM D6667 is an established test method for the determination of total volatile sulphur in gaseous hydrocarbons and liquefied petroleum gases (LPG). This ...
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New graphical procedure to design reactor supports used in industry
Aug-2022
Two reactor models used in gas recovery demonstrate a new design strategy that can lead to significant savings in material cost and engineering design ...
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Dec-2022
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Jan-2023
The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) expects record oil demand in 2023, ramping up from its current 100 million bpd to almost 104 million ...
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Crude oil processing scheme for reducing operating costs in the CDU
Feb-2023
Development of crude oil distillation processing schemes to significantly reduce external energy and stripping steam demand.
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Structured catalyst reactor system for steam methane reforming
Aug-2023
Results from pilot plant test programme confirm significant advantages and value creation. Steam methane reforming is the predominant and most widely used ...
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Catalytic reforming options and practices
Apr-2010
Design and practice in catalytic reforming is evolving to meet refinery challenges, including lower gasoline pool benzene content and increased demand ...
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Using infrared monitors to achieve auxiliary flare pilot monitoring (TIA)
Jul-2018
Infrared flare pilot monitoring as a primary or secondary monitoring solution provides a pilot status signal when thermocouple failures occur and assures ...
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FCC petrochemicals production at minimum capex
Nov-2021
Adapting FCC gas concentration unit design using dividing wall technology delivers high purity petrochemicals at significantly lower capital cost.
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Reliability analysis to determine environmental emissions from units
Jul-2010
Reliability analysis determines the extent to which plant can meet emission limits and supports estimates of possible financial penalties for non-comp ...
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Improving residue hydrocracking performance
Jul-2011
Trials with a catalyst system for enhanced transfer of hydrogen to asphaltenes show reduced sediment formation and fouling in ebullated-bed residue hy ...
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The business case for digitalisation in the refining sector
Apr-2020
When we use the word ‘digitalisation’ what do we really mean? Computers have been used for process control since Fortran 77 was developed in the late ...
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Best practice for refinery flowsheets
Aug-2019
Refinery-wide flowsheets can demonstrate the true representation of changes in key operating variables and their associated impact on refinery operati ...
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Evaluating purchased feedstocks for hydrocrackers and hydrotreaters
Sep-2023
Over the years in my career, I came to respect traders who could locate, negotiate, and purchase cheap feedstocks. The good traders seemed like sharks ...
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A systems approach at work to solve electrification challenges at scale
Sep-2023
Industrial organisations can push decarbonisation forward by shifting process heater systems from fossil fuel-burning to electric. This kind of electrification ...
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Spent caustic treatment and reuse
Sep-2023
Advances in environmentally friendly technologies, such as spent caustic treatment technologies, are key to the industry’s transition towards environmental ...
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Mitigating hazards ensuring worker safety in refining and petrochemical plants
Sep-2023
Safety in refining and petrochemical plants is crucial, as these workers deal with dangerous chemicals. The employees in this industry also handle equipment ...
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Proactively preventing reactor runaway events
Aug-2023
A quantitative method for selecting emergency actions could prevent hydrocracker reactor temperature excursion and runaway while avoiding flaring.
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Improve energy efficiency of your hydrocracking unit
Aug-2023
Reduced fuel firing in HCU product fractionators enables higher diesel yields and improved product properties while reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
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Structured catalyst reactor system for steam methane reforming
Aug-2023
Results from pilot plant test programme confirm significant advantages and value creation. Steam methane reforming is the predominant and most widely used ...
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Practical considerations for the design of adsorbent beds
Jul-2023
Refineries have to achieve outstanding reliability and in order to obtain this, they must ensure they optimise the lifetime of molecular sieves. Oil and ...
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Managing wear in severe services
Jul-2023
Wear in valves is an important concern for plant owners and operators. Particular materials can extend the lifetime of components used in the oil and gas ...
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Jul-2023
How to get around the shortage of chemical supplies affecting the production of purified water
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Fast response to the urgent need for a wastewater solution
Jul-2023
How mobile water treatment suppliers can help oil refinery and petrochemical firms protect licence to operate and reduce environmental impact during rapid ...
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Ensuring business continuity of ageing plants
Jul-2023
Effective strategies for maintenance and emergency situations and how production security can be at risk if water treatment fails.
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Refineries can reduce leak repairs by monitoring emissions
Jul-2023
Cutting oil refinery leak repair times by 80 percent through game-changing fixed, continuous emissions monitoring.
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Innovations in industrial zeolite mesoporisation deliver robust catalytic benefits in hydrocracking
Jul-2023
As the key value generator in many established refineries, increasing the output towards desired fractions in a hydrocracker is a major commercial and ...
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Advanced thermoplastic polymer supports processing of harsh chemicals
Jul-2023
The proprietary NeXRing in VICTREX PEEK polymer from Sulzer Chemtech is ideal for supporting the processing of harsh chemicals, thanks to its high temperature ...
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Debottlenecking product recovery using product pair distillation: Part II
Jul-2023
Advantages of using a thermodynamically efficient method to debottleneck existing distillation trains using fewer columns than traditional methods.
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Reducing emissions while increasing refinery margin
Jul-2023
A chemical heat pump that absorbs energy inside industrial waste heat has the potential to reduce pressure on refinery margin by fluctuating gas, electricity, ...
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Purifying and upgrading of waste plastics pyrolysis oils
Jul-2023
Closing the plastics production disposal loop requires the ability to recycle at scale by combining chemical recycling with pyrolysis technology.
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Jul-2023
Using hydrogen in fuel to eliminate CO2 emissions in fired heaters.
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Focused revamp increases diesel and HVGO recovery
Jul-2023
Refiners have the best opportunity to maximise return through identification of creative solutions during a focused capital revamp.
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Maximising renewable feed co-processing at an FCC
Jul-2023
Collaboration is key to accelerate the energy transition and make best use of existing assets, like the FCC unit.
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Predicting hydrotreater performance while co-processing vegetable oil
Jul-2023
Catalyst performance prediction model based on test data assesses the impact of co-processing renewable feedstocks for optimal hydrotreater operations ...
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Olefins production pathways with reduced CO2 emissions
Jul-2023
Regulations call for use of renewable feedstocks and electrification via unconventional, sustainable, and circular routes to ethylene, propylene, and other ...
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Jun-2023
Following an incident at a refinery, design modifications made to compressors means any future explosions will be prevented.
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Challenges and solutions for molsieve dryer processes
Jun-2023
Using molsieves in the refining and petrochemical process industries helps to avoid major problems in the process plant.
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Steam methane reformer tube lifecycle improvement best practices
May-2024
Reformer tube life assessment can be done via online monitoring, non-destructive testing, and tube harvesting with historical operating, monitoring, and ...