ARTICLES
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Understanding basic principles of flow calculations
Mar-2008
Valve size often is described by the nominal size of the end connections, but a more important measure is the flow that the valve can provide.
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Managing fouling in refinery networks
Jul-2015
Modelling heat exchanger and other networks enables the use of dynamic fouling models in performance assessment and predictive studies
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Spent sulphuric acid regeneration (SAR) process
May-2012
Several chemical processes utilise concentrated sulphuric acid as a catalyst or dehydrating agent, in which the acid becomes “spent”; ie, weakened ...
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Hydrogen generation for modern refineries
Jan-2009
With increasing demand for diesel, more stringent product specifications for cleaner fuels, reduced fuel oil demand and the economic advantages in processing ...
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Processing high TAN crude: part I
Jan-2010
Huizhou, which is the first refinery for processing 100% high TAN crude, started up in 2009. This article describes the challenges of an opportunity crude ...
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Sour water strippers: design and operation
Apr-2013
Simpler, more cost-effective sour water stripper designs can outperform more generally accepted designs in the refining industry
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Naphtha catalytic cracking for propylene production
Mar-2013
Investment in on-purpose propylene production technology based on 
naphtha-based feedstock is taking on various process configurations
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Oil/water separation technologies
Apr-2013
Where stable emulsions cannot be removed mechanically, the application of demulsifiers, coagulants and flocculants accelerates the separation process
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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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High-purity propylene from refinery LPG
Apr-2012
A case study and financial analysis show that investment opportunities for refiners exist with the expected future high price of propylene
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Understanding centrifugal compressor performance
Apr-2002
In a connected process system, expensive changes to the compressor and driver can be avoided with system debottlenecking modifications
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Gasifying coke to produce hydrogen 
in refineries
Jul-2012
Coke gasification to produce hydrogen for hydroprocessing is more capital intensive than steam methane reforming, but not so vulnerable to natural gas ...
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A novel approach to cleaning 
furnace coils
Jul-2013
A modified pigging operation aims to greatly reduce the time required for coke removal from furnace coils
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Optimising sweep gas flow in a flare header
Oct-2012
How to calculate the minimum flow of flare header sweep gas needed to maintain safe conditions
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Calculating column relief loads
Apr-2010
Conventional, steady-state and dynamic simulation techniques are compared in a study of relief loads for failure modes applied to a distillation colum ...
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Metathesis for maximum propylene
Apr-2006
Using metathesis technology to process refinery-based C4 feedstocks can maximise propylene. The economic advantages of flow schemes using alpha-olefins ...
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Jan-2008
Highly exothermic olefins saturation and silica contamination can occur when hydrotreating coker naphtha.
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Improved hydrogen yield in catalytic reforming
Jan-2013
A process step that sends higher-boiling C6 hydrocarbons to light tops isomerisation delivers an increase in hydrogen production from naphtha catalytic ...
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Apr-2003
A review of the use of chloride guard beds to treat liquid phase and gas phase streams to prevent operational problems from hard-to-detect organic chlorides, ...
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Centrifugal compressor operations
Jul-2004
The wet gas compressor is used as an example in this article reviewing compressor performance, operating conditions and basic control philosophy
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Choosing a neutralising amine corrosion inhibitor
Jul-2004
A review of physical and chemical properties of commonly used amine-based corrosion inhibitors. The authors highlight the relative strengths and weaknesses ...
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Improving the distillation energy network
Oct-2013
Energy-efficient design applied to the refit of a distillation unit was achieved through optimisation between the distillation column and heat network ...
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RFCC units set new standard for propylene production
Oct-2012
RFCC units are being commissioned and operated to convert hydrotreated and straight-run resid to high levels of propylene
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Alarm floods and plant incidents
Jul-2012
Alarm floods and their contribution to industrial incidents can be controlled successfully through all process states
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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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More petrochemicals with less capital spending
Sep-2020
Even in nations with exceptional dependence on transportation fuels like Brazil, better integration with petrochemicals production is essential for re ...
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Delayed coking as a sustainable refinery solution
Jun-2021
Fuel grade coke is a serious environmental pollutant but the producer, the delayed coking process, can be a contributor to future sustainable development ...
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The role of biofuels in the energy transition
Apr-2022
Overcoming the challenges of coprocessing renewables.
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Energy management and sustainability of the downstream industry
Jun-2022
Energy management must feature in any strategy in the downstream industry for both environmental impact and economic competitiveness.
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Needle coke — overcoming quality challenges in a resurgent market
Nov-2022
The quality of needle coke precursors as a function of their origin and/or process is discussed against a backdrop of the drive to enhance quality, purity, ...
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Managing fouling in refinery networks
Jul-2015
Modelling heat exchanger and other networks enables the use of dynamic fouling models in performance assessment and predictive studies
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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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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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Computation of heat conduction in welding of thick wall reactor vessels
Sep-2017
The welding of reactors in refinery is complex due to various phase formation during and after welding. Each phase was unique with success of welding lies ...
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CCS from refinery emissions: CO2 purity must be analysed and controlled
Jun-2020
One of the most promising measures to decarbonise refinery operations is carbon capture and storage (CCS) from existing combustion processes, such as process ...
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IMO 2020 - Maritime CEMS and refinery changes
May-2020
For several years, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has stipulated low levels of sulphur emissions close to densely populated coastal areas, ...
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Hydrogen SMR energy efficiency optimisation
May-2020
Steam methane reformers (SMR) are the most common hydrogen production technique in the oil and gas industry.
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Environmental monitoring and management in the downstream oil and gas sector
Apr-2020
Keeping it clean, keeping it green. Ground water, rain water run-off and effluent. Contaminated soil replacement in spillage areas, excavated soil disposal ...
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Hydrogen — making the move from industrial gas to fuel
May-2020
Our sun creates energy through the fusion reaction of hydrogen to form helium: that’s been going on for millions of years.
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Improved hydrogen yield in catalytic reforming
Jan-2013
A process step that sends higher-boiling C6 hydrocarbons to light tops isomerisation delivers an increase in hydrogen production from naphtha catalytic ...
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Steam reforming natural gas containing higher hydrocarbons
Apr-2013
A method is described for estimating reformed gas composition in a primary reformer when the feed is a natural gas containing higher hydrocarbons
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Slug catcher debottleneck protects downstream processing (TIA)
Aug-2020
Effective separation of oil and gas from different impurities in upstream operations is a matter of paramount importance. All downstream activities and ...
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Molecular management for refinery-petrochemical complexes
Aug-2020
Designing a digital twin for process simulation of an integrated complex enables enhanced molecular management to deliver higher margin.The future comprises ...
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Refinery’s performance confirms catalyst testing
Jun-2021
Commercial results from a naphtha reformer are a close match with data from micro-pilot plant tests.
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Modelling ethane absorption in 
MEA solution
Jun-2018
Solving foaming problems related to absorption of hydrocarbon and feed contaminants by amine solution.
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Boosting mild hydrocracking performance
Aug-2020
Optimising its mild hydrocracking operations using new catalyst developments enabled a refinery to meet more complex targets for fuel quality.
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Nov-2020
The global climate change and the needed GHG emission reduction, as well as increasing awareness of the circular economy have pushed towards thinking about ...
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Jan-2008
Highly exothermic olefins saturation and silica contamination can occur when hydrotreating coker naphtha.
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Pilot plant studies of hydrotreating catalysts
May-2020
Studies of catalysts for hydrotreating lubricant base oil delivered similar results from conventional and high throughput pilot plants
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Enhancing flexibility in two-stage hydrocrackers
Aug-2022
Shifting markets and refined product priorities compels refiners to find the flexibility for shifting from middle distillate to naphtha for petrochemical ...
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Electric process heaters and decarbonisation in hydrocarbon processing
Mar-2023
(White Paper) - Processing and refining hydrocarbons ultimately requires the use of high heat for a number of critical steps, and heaters based on fossil ...
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Reduce emissions and improve refinery profitability
Mar-2023
(White Paper) -Tools and solutions for the naphtha complex and beyond.Today, refineries and petrochemical facilities across the globe are faced with the ...
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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.
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Reconfiguration of naphtha splitters using divided wall column technology
Feb-2023
Integration of DWCs into existing refining configurations reduces energy consumption and GHG emissions in distillation systems while also lowering operating ...
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Feb-2023
Using SWSPlus technology to transform sulphur recovery facilities from a cost centre to positive cash flow.
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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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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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Diversifying the downstream value chain
Jan-2023
The deterioration of the economic environment in 2023 could affect demand for most chemical products amid high feedstock and energy costs. Moreover, increased ...
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Jan-2023
What is the best estimation for refinery and petrochemical product demand in 2023?
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Dec-2022
The Crude-to-Chemicals project is designed for world-scale petrochemicals production to deliver a flexible, bankable, and sustainable free-market inve ...
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Dec-2022
A project management team was tasked with speeding up the installation of a large number of high-return opportunities by altering their current work p ...
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Dec-2022
Risk-based Inspection (RBI) has been around the refining and petrochemical industry for many years.
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How can Becht help customers with additive manufacturing
Dec-2022
For more than half a century, Becht has maintained a valued reputation for exceptional innovation, service and partnership solving engineering problems ...
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What makes hydroprocessing different to other refining technologies?
Dec-2022
Most of the people that have worked around refineries for some time, feel that they have mastered the basics of the major refining technologies and feel ...
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Keeping your scaffolding under control during a turnaround
Dec-2022
During any Maintenance work or Turnarounds, there will be a need to reach inaccessible areas of the process plant, either for inspection or maintenance ...
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Electric process heaters and decarbonisation in hydrocarbon processing
Mar-2023
(White Paper) - Processing and refining hydrocarbons ultimately requires the use of high heat for a number of critical steps, and heaters based on fossil ...
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Reduce emissions and improve refinery profitability
Mar-2023
(White Paper) -Tools and solutions for the naphtha complex and beyond.Today, refineries and petrochemical facilities across the globe are faced with the ...
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Cooling tower acceptance testing
Dec-2022
In a recent blog, August 8, 2022, the subject of an independent check-rate or rating of a cooling tower’s thermal design was discussed.
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Evonik Catalysts. Let’s make a difference
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Compressors for demanding applications
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New fired heaters
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Hydrotreating and hydrocracking catalysts
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Europe's largest manufacturer of tower packings
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Tri block, double block and bleed valve from ZWICK
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Watlow’s thermal systems optimize your refinery
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Turbomachinery and Pump Symposia, September 26-28
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FCC online diagnostic services for FCCU
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