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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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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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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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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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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Jan-2008
Highly exothermic olefins saturation and silica contamination can occur when hydrotreating coker naphtha.
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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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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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Treating high CO2 gases with MDEA
Apr-2009
Using MDEA as a solvent for high levels of CO2 removal requires careful process modelling using accurate simulation
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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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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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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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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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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 45˚angle
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Delek brings refineries into synchronised digital maturity
Jul-2020
Since the company was founded in the early 2000s, the business strategy at Delek US Holdings, Inc. has focused on rapid growth through acquisition of downstream ...
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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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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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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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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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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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Minimise amine losses in gas and liquid treating
Jun-2018
Even with incomplete information, a systematic approach can be used to identify the source of amine losses and the action needed to reduce them.
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Refiner’s role in upgrading plastic waste
Sep-2022
Plastic consumption is projected to skyrocket in the coming decades for packaging, automobiles and construction, increasing to 1, 231 million tonnes in ...
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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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Role of FCC process and catalysts in the energy transition
Aug-2022
In the evolving circular economy, proper leveraging of FCC technology and operations can deliver value for refiners in the decades going forward.
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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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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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Capital priorities in the downstream industry
Aug-2022
Margins opportunities in chemicals and biofuels dominate long-term investments.
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A step change in feed nozzle design
Aug-2022
How Shell’s Max Atomisation Feed Nozzle technology can improve FCC unit margins with minimal capital investment, including audited results from three ...
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FCC unit yield improvement with artificial intelligence
Aug-2022
How closed loop neural networks have improved FCC yields via direct control and continuous optimization.
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Stationing an operator at a pressure safety valve bypass
Aug-2022
Caution is recommended before stationing an operator at the PSV bypass for overpressure protection.
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Challenges with carbon disulphide removal in petrochemical naphtha
Aug-2022
Meeting new specifications for removing carbon disulphide in petrochemical naphtha using dividing wall column technology.
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Optimising oil and gas operations - when to decommission or modernise
Aug-2022
To make accurate, timely decisions to maximise the value of their assets today and in the future, refiners and other oil and gas companies need quality ...
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Biofeed co-processing for fuel production
Aug-2022
Comprehensive review of corrosion operating concerns when co-processing renewables and bio-oils through existing hydrotreaters, FCC units, amine units, ...
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Production optimisation for refining and olefins: how best to achieve it
Aug-2022
To suceed, companies must decisively implement production optimisation strategies using the latest AI-driven technologies, like digital twins and prescriptive ...
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Petrochemical complex digitalisation for greater efficiency and emissions reduction
Aug-2022
Concepts of automation and data exchange in manufacturing have propelled both upstream and downstream sectors into the 4.0 world, gradually extending to ...
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Safety in turnaround power services
Jul-2022
Renting power systems during a turnaround or unexpected shutdown must take into account the health and safety of contractors and plant personnel working ...
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Jul-2022
With the introduction of the 4th generation AC Analytical Controls (AC) Reformulyzer M4, group type analysis of finished gasoline and its precursors & ...
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Determination of total sulphur in biofuels from feedstock to endproduct according to ASTM D5453
Jul-2022
Sulphur is a natural component in both crude oil and biobased feedstocks that will be present in diesel and gasoline unless it is removed during the production ...
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AC Analytical Controls productivity center combines full ASTM D86 alternative in a single GC
Jul-2022
Distillation is a method that separates a liquid mixture by boiling and subsequent condensation of the gas phase.
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Jul-2022
The AC Reformulyser is one of the most used analysers worldwide to determine the total aromatic, total olefin, benzene, oxygen content, and oxygenates ...
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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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Improving accuracy and precision in crude oil boiling point dstribution analysis
Jul-2022
It is not a secret that the most valuable cuts of the crudes are present in the lighter part of them, where primarily gasoline, kerosene, diesel and jet ...
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Jul-2022
In the crude oil value chain, margins are a big deal
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Refineries can choose from different options for distillation of gasoline at atmospheric pressure
Jul-2022
Many refineries use a combination of technologies to efficiently measure and optimise the distillation of crude oil into separate hydrocarbon components, ...
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Jul-2022
Total nitrogen content is an important quality criterium for many types of water, but especially for wastewater, such as process effluents.
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Why Reformulyser is the preferred analysis technique for gasoline grouptype analysis?
Jul-2022
Gasoline is a fuel mainly used as an engine fuel for vehicles, and as a retail product it should meet certain specifications based on local or global ...
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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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Ethylene podcast
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Neles is now part of Valmet
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ITW technologies online cleaning
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Why produce diesel from the vacuum unit?
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Flash point testing
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Petrochemical Market Trends Report
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Sweet Solutions® just got sweeter
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Process catalysts
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Shut-off valves
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Refining India Conference 10- 11 October 2022
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