Axens 2017 industry outlook

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 ...

Profitable resid processing

Feb-2006

FCC catalyst technology can help refiners processing resids overcome any negative effects on unit operation and operate more profitably and efficientl ...

Alberta’s crude oil reserves

Jul-2014

Recovery factors achieved by improved recovery techniques indicate that crude oil reserves in Alberta’s bitumen sands are the largest on earth

Unconventional crude upgrading challenges

Oct-2007

Case studies of upgrader technology selection such as blending of syncrude with bitumen and other intermediates

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

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.

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 ...

Revamping a bitumen heating system

Jul-2019

A redesigned oil based heating system for bitumen storage and sales saves energy and eliminates customer complaints.

Increasing hydrogen plant capacity

Mar-2021

A validated model enabled analysis of five potential revamps for an increase in hydrogen production

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 ...

Axens 2016 Industry Outlook

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. ...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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.

Predicting reactive heavy oil process operation

Oct-2014

Characterisation of feed and product yields through component structures for better understanding and prediction of operations

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 ...

Optimising desalter control

Aug-2019

Analysing desalter performance and improving crude blending capacity with multi-phase instrumentation and control.

Oil sands 
industry status

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 ...

Fouling in the feed/effluent exchangers to our naphtha hydrotreater is at unacceptable levels. The feed is straight-run naphtha. Solutions please. (PTQ Q&A)

Oct-2020

Response to a question in the Q3 2020 issue of PTQ

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

Cleaning amine units cost effectively

May-2021

Heat stable salts are dissolved or avoided by chemical products and cleaning methods during operations and turnarounds.

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 ...

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

What is hydrogen embrittlement in metals, where in the plant is it most likely to occur, and how can we avoid it? (PTQ Q&A)

Oct-2020

Responses to a question in the Q3 2020 issue of PTQ

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 ...

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 ...

Increasing crude unit preheat

Jan-2006

Cost-effective exchanger network solutions need to rely on more than just pinch technology if they are to be successful

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 ...

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 ...

Building robust hydroprocessing operations

Jun-2017

Advances in catalyst technology enable refiners to maximise profitability by processing opportunity crudes and running heavier feeds.

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

Unconventional crude upgrading challenges

Oct-2007

Case studies of upgrader technology selection such as blending of syncrude with bitumen and other intermediates

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.

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. ...

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

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 ...

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

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

Deep-cut vacuum unit design

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

Profitable resid processing

Feb-2006

FCC catalyst technology can help refiners processing resids overcome any negative effects on unit operation and operate more profitably and efficientl ...

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 ...

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

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. ...

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 ...

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

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 ...

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

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 ...

Refinery design in China

Jan-2013

Poor-quality crude oils and strict environmental regulations promote the use of technologies that favour energy savings and environmental protection