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Precision comparison between HDXRF® and ICP for Ni, Fe, and V
Nov-2018
As petroleum professionals continue to refine their production processes, products such as crude oil can contain higher concentrations of problematic metals ...
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Feb-2020
Data must be refined and applied effectively in the refining industry to deliver its greatest value.
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Model Based Definition: What is it and Why?
Apr-2022
Model Based Definition (sometimes Drafting or Dimensioning or Design) is an iteration to mechanical design that uses a CAD generated 3D model with dimensions, ...
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Simple lubricant additive package quality control using HDXRF
Nov-2018
Professionals in the field of lubrication and tribology are at the forefront of solving many of today’s biggest problems.
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Hydrocarbon Processing Gas Analysis Magazine - Issue 4 2019
Jan-2019
Accurate, reliable oxygen (O2) measurements are essential in many HP applications, delivering the readings that support process efficiency, safety and ...
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Baseline scans prove critical in diagnosing any potential future column problems
Sep-2020
A baseline scan establishes a reference point, a historical marker for column performance
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VUV Analytics extends jet fuel and gasoline analysis capabilities
Aug-2019
VUV Analytics is pleased to announce a series of momentous accomplishments; the approval of ASTM D8267 for jet fuel analysis, the approval of a revision ...
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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.
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Determine organic and inorganic chlorides in crude oil
Nov-2020
Although all XRF techniques are capable of only total elemental analysis, with some sample preparation, Clora, Clora with Accu-flow, Clora 2XP, and Sindie ...
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Artificial intelligence for sustainable development
Jun-2022
AI and machine learning technologies support the modern hydrocarbon processing industry by adopting business strategies and developing artificial solu ...
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What the Energy and Chemical industry should learn from the music industry
Feb-2019
The Energy and Chemical industry is in desperate need of a shake-up. It is at or near the bottom of every industry digital maturity league table.
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Fast and precise elemental screening in petroleum coke and coal
May-2020
Petroleum Coke (also referred to as petcoke), a byproduct of the oil refining process, is typically sold and used as either fuel or material for anodes ...
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Digital twins heat up the capabilities of energy storage plants
Jun-2022
How to support future energy security by enhancing energy storage with automated digital twins.
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Reducing vapour pressure giveaway
Apr-2023
Challenge: A major petroleum company in North America needed to blend gasoline, gasoline components, and additives without exceeding vapour pressure limits ...
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A better approach to detailed hydrocarbon analysis with Verified Hydrocarbon Analysis™
Nov-2019
Most refineries rely on Detailed Hydrocarbon Analysis (DHA) to analyse and monitor specific contents of their fuel streams. While this technique has been ...
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Nature of errors in machinery diagnostics
Jan-2020
A reliability theory has been developing for almost 70 years, and all the time scientists, engineers and practitioners attempt to point out an instance ...
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Digitalisation for improved operations
Nov-2020
Increased availability of gas analysis equipment through digital transformation can raise levels of operational excellence.
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Managing vacuum tower wash beds
Sep-2020
ThruVision™ scans monitor the rate of coking in vacuum tower wash beds to get the most out of bed productivity.
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Gas analysis in a hot climate (TIA)
Nov-2019
Servomex has developed a customised combustion monitoring solution to meet the specific challenges faced by a global petrochemicals producer.
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Dec-2020
Leveraging IIOT concepts leads to a reduction in energy consumption and improved refining margin
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A comparison of chlorine levels in aromatics
Aug-2019
Petroleum refining processes have evolved over the years to maximise efficiency and output as crude oils are turned into finished products.
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Best practices for improved sulphur repeatability
Mar-2019
There has been an increased need for quality data as petroleum labs around the globe are tasked with adhering to stricter sulphur regulations.
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Reduce conjugated diene blockage in fuel refiners with the automated fuels analyzer
Jul-2019
The Automated Fuels Analyzer from VUV Analytics is quickly becoming the new industry standard for hydrocarbon analysis, combining the power of gas chromatography—vacuum ...
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Closed-loop sampling systems can lower fugitive emission levels
Dec-2023
Becoming a net-zero facility is easier with the right grab sampling technology. The goal of most plant operators in today’s environment is to operate ...
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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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ASTM D2622 Compliance with D7039 Precision for Sulfur in Diesel
Oct-2019
In August 2018, XOS published a paper that reviewed and discussed ASTM Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) diesel and gasoline sulphur data comparing reproducibility ...
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Increasing operational efficiency and productivity with the VUV Analyzer platform for fuels
Dec-2019
Refinery laboratories have traditionally invested in analytical technologies that help them both characterise and certify the fuels they produce.
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Developing a modular SAGD design
Feb-2020
Process simulation models are used to optimise the design and operation of modular, small-scale bitumen extraction. With increasing global demand in the ...
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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 ...
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Fast and precise elemental screening in petroleum coke and coal
May-2020
Petroleum Coke (also referred to as petcoke), a byproduct of the oil refining process, is typically sold and used as either fuel or material for anodes ...
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Gas analysis in petrochemical production
Jun-2020
Accurate gas analysis is critical in the production of PTA. Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) is, together with ethylene glycol, a key component in the ...
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Optimising profits by blending butane (TIA)
Jun-2015
Many countries legally mandate the observation of the maximum gasoline vapour pressure to prevent air pollution and ensure the safe transport and storage ...
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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.
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Best practices for improved sulphur repeatability
Mar-2019
There has been an increased need for quality data as petroleum labs around the globe are tasked with adhering to stricter sulphur regulations.
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Radiometric measurements: accuracy, repeatability and errors
Dec-2019
Radiometric measurements for industrial processes have been around for several decades.
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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.
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Driving refining change: Part 1
Jun-2014
A look at how automotive emissions legislation and the drive for energy sustainability are impacting the refining industry.
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Guided wave radar — today’s vanguard in level measurement
May-2016
Guided Wave Radar (GWR), the increasingly popular, industrial, loop-powered transmitter we know today, burst on the scene in the late 1990s.
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Monitoring crude oil quality inline (TIA)
Apr-2019
When transporting crude oil, whether by pipeline, ground or sea, quality testing provides critical information for decision making.
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Digitalisation is transforming KPI setting
Aug-2019
Digitalisation means turning numbers on a dashboard into profit on your income statement.
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Should you rely on your simulation results?
Dec-2020
Avoiding some of the pitfalls of process simulation
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Abatement of hydrogen sulphide 
in asphalt
Jan-2012
Risks of exposure at asphalt loading platforms require reliable monitoring of H2S levels and a programme of abatement using effective chemical scaveng ...
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Lessons learned from Mpc revamp of two naphtha crackers
Apr-2013
A project overview includes changes made at the regulatory and advanced control level, and results obtained. Techniques and tools used in the project are ...
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Helium supply: scarcity prompts the search for alternatives
Nov-2013
Helium is a finite resource and, along with fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, reserves of this noble gas are noticeably dwindling.
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Coordinating a complex automation project
Apr-2014
Installing an integrated control system in support of a major refinery upgrade meant coordinating the work of multiple EPC contractors
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Real time online energy management
Apr-2014
Creating a model of a refinery energy system validated with real time data increased energy efficiency and reduced total energy costs
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Design developments for construction projects
Jul-2014
Software products enable the principles of lean manufacturing to be applied to refinery construction projects
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Revamping advanced process control
Jul-2014
A programme to update a refiner’s APC systems employed a novel approach to the way new controllers are developed and existing controllers are mainta ...
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Cyber security in the refining world
Jul-2015
Protection of industrial control assets requires ongoing risk assessment, well-defined security policies and an aggressive overall strategy
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Splitting distributed control for a 
refinery expansion
Jul-2015
A refiner’s expansion plan required a second distributed control system, achieved by splitting the original system without a shutdown
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New technologies for operator training
Jan-2018
Advanced technologies including cloud hosting and virtual reality can enhance the effectiveness of operator training simulators
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Accurate, real-time H2S measurement achieved with in-line analyser (ERTC)
Nov-2017
Arkema, in keeping with its policy of innovation, introduces an additional service to its current Carelflex service that helps refiners to perform the ...
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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.
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Advanced sulphur analysis in hydrocarbons
Sep-2017
Petra MAX™ delivers advanced D4294 sulphur analysis in addition to 12 elements from P to Zn including Ca, Fe, K, Ni, and V at sub-ppm levels for various ...
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Online chlorine analyser for crude oil and petroleum process streams
Jul-2017
Residual chlorine content in desalted crude oil streams can be a serious issue due to its highly corrosive nature. Online monitoring of chlorine has an ...
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Model predictive control of a distillation unit
Jul-2017
In a coordinated plant process, particular attention must be paid to control of individual columns.
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Controlling the hydrocarbon dew point of pipeline gas
Jul-2017
A key factor in selecting technology to control the hydrocarbon dew point of natural gas is the quantity of heavy hydrocarbons in the feed stream
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Crude fingerprinting and predictive analytics
Jul-2017
Predictive modelling technology has been developed to predict the behavioural characteristics of crude oils and their blends
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Modelling catalytic naphtha reforming
Jul-2017
A data handling modelling approach is applied to predict the output performance of a heavy naphtha catalytic reforming unit
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Building a refinery monitoring system
Jun-2017
Developing a process network and unit monitoring system that identifies significant changes in process parameters
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Certifying sulphur in automotive fuels and monitoring chlorine for corrosion mitigation
May-2017
With the high volatility in crude prices leading to uncertainty in budgets, refiners are seeking new, innovative ways to respond to the industry’s dynamic ...
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Apr-2017
Mercury has been elevated to the status of a pollutant of global concern owing to some of its unique toxic properties which pose environmental and health ...
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Apr-2017
Predictive analytics is an evolving technology with many potential applications in and gains for the process industries
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Apr-2017
Finite element analysis can be employed to improve the safety and quality of old or new designs and troubleshoot problems in the field
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Apr-2017
A major cyber attack on a refinery is a clear and present danger. What lessons can be drawn from other sectors?
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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 ...
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Isokinetic nozzles for steam sampling
Nov-2016
The proper design of a sampling system is critical for a sample that is representative of the stream to be measured.
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Controlling LPG/propylene quality
Oct-2016
Online analysers can minimise costly upsets in FCC LPG/propylene quality and realise savings in caustic wash operations.
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Data analytics for hydrocarbon processing
Oct-2016
Advanced data handling techniques are transforming operations in the refining industry at an increasing pace.
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Oct-2016
Operational excellence in ethylene production requires integrated design and control solutions to optimise plant for improving yield, efficiency and energy ...
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Handling delayed coker disturbances with APC
Sep-2016
An advanced process control system provides automatic detection of disturbances during drum switch in a delayed coker to raise performance levels.
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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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Connected data improves refinery operations
Sep-2016
Connecting data with a common knowledge management platform improves visibility, response, and analysis to benefit refinery operations
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Sep-2016
Automation at start-up, supported by dynamic simulation, is desirable if it can be accomplished with a modest amount of engineering effort
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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.
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Steam methane reformer tube lifecycle improvement best practices
May-2024
(White Paper) - Reformer tube life assessment can be done via online monitoring, non-destructive testing, and tube harvesting with historical operating, ...