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Determining safety distance in process design
Jan-2015
Safety distance determination is a key design issue that may have a dramatic impact on a refinery construction project
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Useful tips for fired heater optimisation
Apr-2012
Model predictive control that is native to the regulatory control processor provides high-speed, redundant and robust control for process fired heater ...
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Dealing with mercury in refinery processes
Jul-2010
The effects of mercury contamination on operations, and its treatment, are emerging issues for refiners
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Maximising premium distillate by catalytic dewaxing
Feb-2011
Advances in technology for catalytic dewaxing of distillates by isomerisation provide improved activity
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Practical hydrocarbon dew point specification for natural gas transmission lines
Mar-2011
Hydrocarbon liquid dropout can cause a number of problems in gas transmission lines, including increased pressure drop, reduced line capacity and equipment ...
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Interpreting FCC equilibrium 
catalyst data
Apr-2018
Regular Ecat and fines analysis provides information to support optimum performance from the FCC.
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Dynamics of operation for flare systems
Apr-2014
Detailed studies of problems with flaring performance led a refinery to define and implement a scheme for optimum flare performance
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Maximise olefins through catalytic cracking Indmax FCC process
Apr-2008
The primary purpose of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process historically has been to convert low-valued, heavier petroleum streams into gasoline, ...
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LO-CAT: a flexible hydrogen sulphide removal process
Feb-2015
The hydrocarbon engineering industry faces tighter restrictions for hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions and expanding requirements for sulphur recovery. ...
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Premium base oil production by the hydroprocessing route
Aug-2013
The worldwide demand for lubricants is expected to increase by 2.6 percent annually through 20151, with Asia predicted to remain the fastest growing r ...
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Developments in H2S scavenging
Jun-2018
Advances in the application of triazine scavengers have significantly 
improved process efficiencies.
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Refining refiners’ spent catalysts
Mar-2013
Spent catalyst is the raw material for a recycling operation that delivers fresh catalyst and specialist metals
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The FCC unit as a propylene source
Jul-2007
Hardware and catalyst design changes can increase the propylene yield, but ZSM-5 and other additives are essential to optimise and retain the flexibility ...
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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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Combating reactor pressure drop
Apr-2017
A refiner investigates the causes of pressure drop due to fouling in a fixed bed reactor and considers an appropriate mitigation strategy
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Wet scrubbing-based NOx control using LoTOx technology - first commercial FCC start-up
Sep-2007
Wet scrubbing based NOx control had been successfully applied to various industries for several years. Refineries, however, had not used such an approach ...
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Oct-2004
Installation of vortex tube clusters in crude unit preflash drums has eliminated foam carry-over, increasing diesel and atmospheric gasoil product yie ...
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Using pinch technology in operations?
Sep-2013
Pinch Technology is a well established concept, and a tool used to optimise waste heat recovery and design efficient heat integration schemes in a wide ...
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Experimental phase balance assessment for duplex stainless steel welded pipe
Jan-2018
This paper discusses the assessment of weld metal ferrite content in duplex stainless steel pipe welded at a 45Ëšangle
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Automation of tank farm systems
Sep-2016
Automation helps to streamline operations as well as supply and demand planning, sales orders and inventory in tank management.
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Bulk separation of gas-liquid mixtures
Apr-2011
Effective gas-liquid separation is increasingly important to produce high-quality products from feedstocks of decreasing quality
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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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Preventing salt fouling in FCC main fractionators
Apr-2001
Results of using salt dispersant additives on a badly fouled FCC unit has shown that the method allows refiners to avoid more costly methods of naphtha ...
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Innovations in wastewater treatment
Oct-2012
Industrial gases provide a wide range of options for treating wastewater from petrochemical processes
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Reducing vacuum tower pressure
Apr-2015
To create a better vacuum the vapour load to the ejector has to be reduced
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Protecting your hydroprocessing reactor
Jun-2021
Owners and operators respect a hydroprocessing reactor’s minimum pressurisation temperature but can fail to understand factors other than the temper ...
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Designing steam heat exchangers and tracing systems
Jun-2021
Fundamentals must be considered when designing an industrial steam system to avoid premature failure or under-performance.
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Adsorbent choices help refiners find safer solutions
Aug-2022
For refiners, selection of the proper adsorbent, or combination of adsorbents, is critical to ensure the removal of all contaminants during olefin (such ...
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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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Jun-2021
An analysis of the costs and merits of grey, blue, and green hydrogen.
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Zeolite based dryers in ethylene plants
Apr-2014
A review of the role and nature of adsorbent dryers in the production of ethylene by steam cracking. Steam cracking represents more than 95% of ethylene ...
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Processing NH3 acid gas in a sulphur recovery unit
Apr-2010
The feasability and economics of a two-stage sour water stripper with an SRU for NH3 contents of 25% and higher are discussed
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Speciality gases: essential for research, production and quality control
Jul-2011
Laboratories all around the world stand or fall by their reputation for accuracy and quality control. Pivotal to this performance is the quality, purity ...
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Using APC in refinery energy systems — develop your own solutions
Oct-2013
Advanced Process Control (APC) has been used extensively to assist in operating refinery and petrochemical processes smoothly, safely and profitably.
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Catalytic strategies to meet gasoline sulphur limits
Apr-2015
Stricter regulations reducing average gasoline sulphur content will require further reduction of FCC gasoline sulphur
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Wireless instruments in corrosive and hazardous locations
Jun-2018
Wireless instruments introduce a range of benefits in corrosive and 
hazardous process areas.
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Managing a control system migration
Jul-2020
Overcoming the inherent risks of a control system upgrade relies heavily on collaborating and sharing information transparently with a systematic, integrated ...
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Petrochemicals from refinery intermediates — beyond polyolefins
Jul-2020
Diversifying chemical synthesis routes based on simple olefins can add major value for an integrated refining-petrochemical complex.
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Real-time crude and desalter monitoring
Sep-2020
An analyser array supports corrosion management through continuous insights into changes in crude quality
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Types of corrosion and materials to combat them
Sep-2020
A review of corrosion problems in fluid systems and how to prolong their life in one of the oil and gas industry’s most challenging environments.
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Column revamp boosts diesel production
Nov-2020
Revamping the internals of a main fractionator column enabled a refinery to increase its diesel throughput.
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Fixed bed naphtha reformer catalyst regeneration - a history of naphtha reforming
Dec-2020
Refiners have been reforming naphtha to improve its octane or to produce aromatic chemicals since the 1930s.
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Raising diesel yield by chemical treatment
Dec-2020
A chemical treatment programme combined with process monitoring enables increased production of middle distillates.
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Selecting turboexpanders for PDH
Dec-2020
Expander compressors with active magnetic bearings increase reliability and simplify operations with lower maintenance costs in a propane dehydrogenation ...
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A case for renewable hydrogen (TIA)
Feb-2021
Processing renewable feedstocks is more complex than processing non-renewables.
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Boosting profitability in a maximum propylene FCC
Feb-2021
Refiner and supplier collaborated to evaluate, prepare, and execute the revamp of an FCC and an LPG olefins additive trial.
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Mar-2021
A process for wet scrubbing off-gases from the SRU helps preserve neighbourly relations.
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Delayed coker revamp for a capacity increase
Mar-2021
Revamping to a three-drum coker arrangement delivered improved product yields, higher throughput, and greater feedstock flexibility.
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Mar-2021
Hybrid modelling combines artificial intelligence and processing expertise to develop accurate models of refining processes.
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Selecting catalysts for marine fuels production
Jun-2021
Accelerated activity and stability testing of hydrotreating catalysts.
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Unfire your heater for better performance
Feb-2023
The benefits of implementing dispersed combustion in fired heaters in order to align with current and future NOx requirements using a practical techno ...
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An introduction to fouling in fired heaters: Part three burner fouling
Feb-2023
Burner fouling: To keep a fired heater operating optimally it is important to distribute heat as evenly as possible.
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Ten easy hacks for heater and combustion engineers
Feb-2023
It’s not possible to run heater simulations out in the field. Here we highlight rules, formulas and easy hacks to help fired heater engineers in their ...
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Feb-2023
Serious simulation capabilities are now well within reach but this does not mean that success will necessarily follow as predictions can still be wron ...
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Innovation: Implementing cutting-edge technology without getting cut
Feb-2023
Communication is key. How manufacturers and operations personnel can improve on the end result by collaborating in the use of new equipment.
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One simple trick to set your CFD projects on a path to success
Feb-2023
Starting your CFD project off in the right way can result in high-quality bids, knowing your deliverables and reducing schedule risk.
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Advice to my aspiring engineer: What will make you stand out?
Feb-2023
What separates the good engineers from the great? The top three traits to consider that could ensure a rewarding and challenging career in the industr ...
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Increasing draft from a natural draft stack
Feb-2023
Easy methods to check if your heater is out of draft.
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A confounding problem: Vibration issues in boilers and furnaces
Feb-2023
There’s a whole lot of shaking going on – but why? Identifying industry trends that have contributed to this issue and what can increase the likelihood ...
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Fired heater features – what’s that on top of the stack for?
Feb-2023
Finding out what the purpose of the cone featured on the top of some heater stacks is and what it actually does.
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Continuum damage FEA implementation in HTHA model
Feb-2023
Using the power of finite element analysis to accurately capture high-temperature hydrogen attack damage through the use of a custom creep user subrou ...
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Reactor runaways - automatic or manual depressuring?
Feb-2023
Recently, I have had several discussions and inquiries regarding reactor runaway events and whether automatic depressuring systems are needed for hydroprocessing ...
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Feb-2023
One of the most overlooked considerations when designing a rigging system is sling angles.
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Feb-2023
I have had several suggestions to write about catalyst selection. This is a popular topic in many journals and blogs with some authors taking controversial ...
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Should we be using phthalate-free polypropylene? (TIA)
Feb-2023
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, people are getting more familiar with products made of polypropylene resin, such as the ubiquitous face masks and omnipresent ...
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Introducing hydrogen into refinery boilers, turbines, and HRSGs (TIA)
Feb-2023
Refineries and petrochemical facilities are under environmental pressure on all fronts. They are being asked to reduce their carbon footprints and aim ...
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De-mystifying vacuum ejector systems
Feb-2023
First-stage inter-condenser design and performance are critical for reliable vacuum system performance.
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Kinetic model for TGU hydrogenation reactors: Part 1 model development
Feb-2023
Development of rigorous model for reaction kinetics and catalyst deactivation mechanisms capable of predicting SRU and TGU performance is presented.
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Value maximisation in FCC units using multispecialty catalyst formulation
Feb-2023
Increasing propylene yields while reducing bottoms production.
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Fouling in VDU ejector systems
Feb-2023
Review of critical ejector-condenser interplay, with an overview of fouling in VDU ejector systems, including a case study where fouling impacted a refiner's ...
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Universal filter for ultra-cleaning of reactor streams
Feb-2023
Magnetically induced filter removes solid particles to protect catalyst active pore openings from plugging.
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Achieving Fit for 55 emission reduction targets by 2030
Feb-2023
Options available to oil refineries in reducing CO2 emissions while providing a clearer vision on possible roadmaps.
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Desalting chemistry and monitoring methods to help expand crude basket
Feb-2023
Widening the crude basket increases the challenges of maintaining asset reliability and plant performance, including formation of rag layers.
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Closing the sustainability cycle
Feb-2023
Role of plastics recycling technologies in the future of the downstream industry.
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Design configurations for lowering quenched coke drum venting pressure
Feb-2023
Compare the advantages when installing either an ejector or a water ring compressor for lowering coke drum venting pressure.