Control system security

Apr-2017

A major cyber attack on a refinery is a clear and present danger. What lessons can be drawn from other sectors?

Protect control valves when production slows

Sep-2020

With many plants running at reduced rates or on shutdown, control valve operation faces severe challenges to maintain throughput. Solutions are at han ...

The right valves even for exceptional applications

Jul-2019

Finding exactly the right valves for every customer is a problem which OHL Gutermuth solves every day. This company, based in Altenstadt, Hesse, also produces ...

How to use a regulator to reduce time delay in an analytical system

Nov-2013

Process measurements are instantaneous but analyser responses never are. From the tap to the analyser, there is always a time delay. Unfortunately, this ...

The great data transformation: how the industry is capitalising on digitalisation (Part 1)

Jul-2019

Real-life examples from TransCanada, Petronas, and ADNOC Onshore. As the oil and gas industry becomes increasingly digitised, torrents of data are being ...

Knowledge in control

Sep-2014

Is it possible to control critical machinery with technology alone?

Real-time crude and desalter monitoring

Sep-2020

An analyser array supports corrosion management through continuous insights into changes in crude quality

Precision comparison between ASTM test methods D7039, D2622, and D5453

Sep-2018

For many years, professionals in the petroleum industry have faced challenges regarding compliance and quality of product.

How to replace sensors on process heaters

Jun-2020

Process heaters, such as immersion heaters, use a range of sensor options to accurately measure and adjust the heat of a manufacturing process.

Being lean in ethylene

Oct-2016

Operational excellence in ethylene production requires integrated design and control solutions to optimise plant for improving yield, efficiency and energy ...

Control optimisation for petrochemicals (TIA)

Aug-2018

Neste Engineering Solutions’ (NES) Dynamic Real Time Optimization (DRTO) technology continues to demonstrate long term cumulated benefit versus traditional ...

Understanding the effects of silicon contamination

Jul-2019

Refiners throughout the petroleum and biofuels industry are taking a closer look at the dangers of silicon in gasoline and ethanol.

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 ...

The intelligent midstream

Mar-2021

Oil and gas operations success hinges on digital transformation. Between diverse business models and fluctuating market and regulatory pressures, every ...

Mitigating corrosion with a digital twin

Nov-2020

Data-driven engineering helps engineers to identify ways to improve predictions of corrosion. Processing plants depend on assorted metallic equipment and ...

Model predictive control in a lube oil complex

Jul-2020

An application of model predictive control targeted optimum performance from a refinery’s propane deasphalting unit.

Versatility of thermal mass flow meters

Mar-2014

There are many well documented flow meter technologies that are essentially trying to accomplish the same thing: measure fluid flow rate.

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.

Better predicting terminal enclosure temperature to improve heater reliability

Feb-2020

One of the most common failures in electric process heaters used in various industrial applications involves electrical terminations and not the heating ...

Improving level control under extreme conditions such as in FCC units

Jun-2020

Catalytic cracking is one of the most important conversion process used in petroleum refineries. It is a widely used process in the refineries for converting ...

Breaking down control barriers

Feb-2015

Many processes and reliability engineers believe that process control & optimisation and asset condition monitoring live in two separate worlds.

On-stream refractory measurement

Oct-2015

Precise assessment of refractory condition can avoid unwelcome discoveries during unit turnarounds

Heat storage in solar power plants

Jun-2020

Avoiding freezing and leakage: optimal thermal management for the use of molten salt in solar thermal power plants with concentrated radiation

Getting to grips with noise (TIA)

Jul-2016

A particular challenge when designing valves for compressible media and in particular steam is the noise calculation.

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 ...

Minimising gasoline specification 
give-away

Oct-2015

Minimising the difference between a measured physical property and a critical specification for gasoline can have a significant impact on refinery pro ...

Automated column start-ups

Sep-2016

Automation at start-up, supported by dynamic simulation, is desirable if it can be accomplished with a modest amount of engineering effort

Ultra low sulfur analysis in liquid petroleum products using MWD XRF

Dec-2016

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently enacted new, lower sulphur level requirements in gasoline through the Tier 3 rule, part of a comprehensive ...

Avoid sulphur measurement bias from particulate settling in crude oil

Oct-2017

Petra MAX™ delivers advanced D4294 sulphur analysis in addition to 12 elements from P to Zn including Ni, V, and Fe.

Machine learning in asset maintenance

Jun-2018

Application of machine learning to asset performance management marks a transition from estimated and statistical models towards measured patterns of ...

Digital solutions improve refinery operations

Apr-2019

Digitalising and standardising the tasks and activities of plant personnel improves efficiency and safety, resulting in greater uptime and throughput.

The time is now but are you ready for digitalisation?

Apr-2019

It’s not if, but when, when it comes to Digitalisation in the oil and gas industry. Those who fail to Digitalise risk more than just their profit margin ...

Optimise catalyst efficiency by monitoring chlorine levels

Jun-2019

Over the years, refineries have fine-tuned their production methods to maximise efficiency while ensuring quality.

Digitalisation is only scratching the surface

Nov-2019

Digitalisation usually means upgrading a few elements of technology or workflows, leaving a partial digital twin when a holistic approach is needed.

Sampling system design

Dec-2019

Correct probe orientation is a critical consideration in the design of a sampling system for process streams.

Determining temperature class for electric process heaters

Jan-2020

Electric process heaters that interface with flammable materials in explosive environments need to be properly evaluated to protect the equipment against ...

Evolution of a digital twin Part 1: the concept

Feb-2020

A two-part article provides a step-by-step introduction to the concept, construction and application of a digital twin for the lifecycle of an ethylene ...

A reliable solution to measure chlorine in catalyst

Mar-2020

Over the years, refineries have fine-tuned their production methods to maximise efficiency while ensuring a higher-quality product.

Plant optimisation: leveraging data analytics and modelling

Jan-2018

More advanced modelling skills are needed at the design stage to realise the promise of better optimisation

Manufacturing execution systems for the refining industry

Jul-2013

Real-time data and decision support tools provide access to plant information to enable a timely response to production issues

Real-time refinery energy management

Oct-2009

An online model installed at Repsol Cartagena refinery enables optimal balance between internal energy production and demand

Innovation in supply chain planning

Jun-2018

Software that can be configured to solve any problem in the supply chain is critical to planning in the oil and gas industry.

Comparison of interface level between differential pressure and multiphase level measurement

Jul-2019

This paper will explain the difference in technology in measuring interface level between Differential Pressure (DP) level and Multiphase Level Measurement ...

Intelligent FTIR system for efficient fuel analysis

Feb-2022

From the very beginnings of fuel characterisation, infrared spectroscopy was widely applied in the field of fuel analysis. Fuel, be it gasoline, diesel ...

Monitoring and diagnostics for reciprocating compressors

Jul-2012

A guide to the purpose and terminology of monitoring systems that ensure effective operation of reciprocating compressors

How watt density specifications may be holding back optimal electric heat exchanger design

Mar-2020

Typical customer specifications for a direct electric heat exchanger (DEHE) in forced convection gas applications aim for efficiency and safety given the ...

Monitoring gas emissions

May-2021

Analysis of gases supports cleaner air initiatives in hydrocarbon processing. Increasingly, plant operators are becoming highly sensitive to their contribution ...

Are you ready for the new ASTM D8252 Ni & V method using XRF?

Sep-2019

To meet the increased demand for finished product while consistently improving overall profitability, refineries and terminals are dealing more and more ...

Parallel expander-recompressor controls and piping layouts

Jul-2015

Turboexpanders are key pieces of process equipment for the recovery of high-value condensates from natural gasses in modern NGL plants.

Oil/water interface control for desalters

Oct-2007

Profiling instrument provides vertical real-time phase density measurement in desalter vessels. Benefits include reduced process upsets from interface ...

Steam methane reformer tube lifecycle improvement best practices

May-2024

Reformer tube life assessment can be done via online monitoring, non-destructive testing, and tube harvesting with historical operating, monitoring, and ...