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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The role of biofuels in the energy transition
Apr-2022
Overcoming the challenges of coprocessing renewables.
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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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Profiting from the lubricants market
Apr-2023
Pursuing a profitable and more sustainable purpose for crude oil through the lubricants market requires examination of lubricants production via hydro ...
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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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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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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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Optimising FCC economics against changing market dynamics
Mar-2023
CO promoters are a frequently overlooked parameter for better control of afterburning, as demonstrated in a case study amidst a changing platinum group ...
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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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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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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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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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Evaluating purchased feedstocks for hydrocrackers and hydrotreaters
Sep-2023
(White Paper) - Over the years in my career, I came to respect traders who could locate, negotiate, and purchase cheap feedstocks. The good traders seemed ...
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A systems approach at work to solve electrification challenges at scale
Sep-2023
(White Paper) - Industrial organisations can push decarbonisation forward by shifting process heater systems from fossil fuel-burning to electric. This ...
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Spent caustic treatment and reuse
Sep-2023
(White Paper) - Advances in environmentally friendly technologies, such as spent caustic treatment technologies, are key to the industry’s transition ...
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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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Servomex to use gas analysis to support a comprehensive clean air strategy
Jul-2023
The need to limit emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere has never been greater. Sustainable development ...
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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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Evaluating purchased feedstocks for hydrocrackers and hydrotreaters
Sep-2023
(White Paper) - Over the years in my career, I came to respect traders who could locate, negotiate, and purchase cheap feedstocks. The good traders seemed ...
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A systems approach at work to solve electrification challenges at scale
Sep-2023
(White Paper) - Industrial organisations can push decarbonisation forward by shifting process heater systems from fossil fuel-burning to electric. This ...
-
Spent caustic treatment and reuse
Sep-2023
(White Paper) - Advances in environmentally friendly technologies, such as spent caustic treatment technologies, are key to the industry’s transition ...
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