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 ...

Reciprocating compressor suction and discharge valve monitoring

Feb-2013

A decision making guideline evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the most common online monitoring technologies

Troubleshooting steam ejectors

Oct-2014

Some causes and practical solutions concerning problems with refinery steam vacuum ejectors

Refinery power failures: causes, costs and solutions

Aug-2013

Power outages typically lead to damaging costs for refiners. Strategies are needed to minimise them.

Ambient conditions impact CO and NOx emissions: part II

Jul-2009

Effects of air temperature and humidity on burner NOx emissions are discussed, including considerations for factoring in these effects

Operating vacuum distillation ejector systems

Oct-2016

Best practices and opportunities to deliver reliable ejector system performance and reduce performance risk.

Why vacuum unit fired heaters coke

Oct-2004

A description of the internal workings of vacuum heaters and the causes of coke formation within them

Olefins plant cracker gas compressor fouling

Apr-2007

Monitoring and treating process gas compressors to prevent corrosion and fouling. Several examples of improved compressor performance through the utilisation ...

Process unit cold eyes review

Apr-2012

Operators of process equipment have an obligation to understand the existing and future potential for unit reliability and operability.

Determining safety distance in process design

Jan-2015

Safety distance determination is a key design issue that may have a dramatic impact on a refinery construction project

Planning for a turnaround

Jan-2018

Without the efforts of professional craft planners and logistics professionals, turnarounds will be a serious challenge

Foam control in crude units

Oct-2004

Installation of vortex tube clusters in crude unit preflash drums has eliminated foam carry-over, increasing diesel and atmospheric gasoil product yie ...

Process and energy analysis for cost savings and CO2 reduction

Jul-2010

Applying heat pinch technology and process know-how to maximise energy savings. In an increasingly carbon-conscious market, improving energy efficiency ...

Increasing catalytic reforming yields

Mar-2008

Case study where a CCR Platforming process unit increased profitability by changing to a high-density catalyst. Higher aromatic yields and the ability ...

Refinery power failures: causes, costs and solutions: part 2

Oct-2013

Technologies are discussed to help refiners formulate strategies in managing risks and crisis due to emergency shutdowns, thereby minimising financial ...

Design challenges for future CO2 pipelines

Apr-2009

Overview of some design issues that need to be considered when planning, engineering and constructing pipelines to transport CO2 in its supercritical state ...

Optimisation of a diesel hydrotreating unit

Jan-2015

A model based on operating data is used to meet sulphur product specifications at lower DHT reactor temperatures with longer catalyst life

Troubleshooting a C3 splitter tower Part 1: evaluation

Oct-2014

Distillation trays are prone to channelling and multi-pass maldistribution in large diameter towers. Multichordal gamma scanning is key for solving such ...

Developments in cyclone technology improve FCC unit reliability

Jul-2010

Developments in FCC cyclone technology reduce problems of abrasion that cause unscheduled unit shutdowns

Estimation of heat losses from process piping and equipment

Apr-2010

An accessible predictive tool calculates surface heat losses from refinery piping and equipment. The most important part of the energy management strategy ...

Protecting compressors with dynamic simulation

Apr-2014

Dynamic simulation supports reliable operation of compressor installations to deliver maximum plant availability and productivity

Achieving turnaround success

Oct-2016

Large maintenance overhaul projects are complex, expensive processes, often with unpredictable challenges that call for best practice techniques.

Improving reliability and efficiency in centrifugal pumps

Jul-2013

Conversion of metal pump wear parts to advanced composite materials can lead to substantial annual cost savings

Mitigating corrosion from naphthenic acid streams

Jan-2003

The authors describe how crude and side-cut analysis, laboratory and field data lead to strategies for managing high severity operating conditions needed ...

Reliability analysis to determine environmental emissions from units

Jul-2010

Reliability analysis determines the extent to which plant can meet emission limits and supports estimates of possible financial penalties for non-comp ...

Maintenance and reliability for rotating equipment closing the loop

May-2024

Maintenance of rotating equipment is a vast subject that could fill volumes.

Improving turnarounds and operations with online cleaning

Sep-2020

Case histories illustrate the financial and operational gains achieved by replacing mechanical cleaning with online, closed-loop operations. The conventional ...

Planning a turnaround that fits

Jan-2021

A risk based work selection process screens worklist items to ensure they are justified for risk reduction or financial benefit as part of a turnaroun ...

Reliability analysis to determine environmental emissions from units

Jul-2010

Reliability analysis determines the extent to which plant can meet emission limits and supports estimates of possible financial penalties for non-comp ...

Piping and instrument diagrams: Part 2 Causes and management of change

Apr-2021

It is difficult to categorise or group the many reasons for routine or late changes to a P&ID. Some causes are listed here.

Troubleshooting steam ejectors

Oct-2014

Some causes and practical solutions concerning problems with refinery steam vacuum ejectors

Process and energy analysis for cost savings and CO2 reduction

Jul-2010

Applying heat pinch technology and process know-how to maximise energy savings. In an increasingly carbon-conscious market, improving energy efficiency ...

Troubleshooting premature tower flooding

Aug-2020

Thorough analysis of field data and tray hydraulics together with gamma scanning were key factors in the successful troubleshooting of premature flooding ...

Tru-Grid™ scans detect solids build-up to assist in determining the appropriate maintenance path

Sep-2020

PackView™ liquid retention scale included on Tru-Grid™ Scan results provide customers the amount of build-up, relative density and growth patterns ...

Tru-Scan™ identifies abnormal process conditions and helps optimise vessel efficiencies

Sep-2020

Tru-Scans™ provide valuable data aiding operations in achieving 115% of unit capacity

Increase production rates with Tracerco’s FrothView and Tru-Scan technologies

Sep-2020

How Tru-Scan™ and FrothView™ results help increase production, and remove the debutanizer tower, which seemed to be the bottleneck for the unit.

Detecting leaking PSVs helps a refiner avoid potential emission fines and penalties

Sep-2020

A Tracerco Diagnostics™ Leak study identifies leaks resulting in massive savings from environmental fines, without any interruption to production.

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

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 ...

Why doesn’t a great maintenance process equal great results? - Part 2

Apr-2021

In Part 1 we observed that some of the best results come from organisations with poor maintenance work processes and some organisations with a great work ...

Why doesn’t a great maintenance process equal great results? - Part 1

Apr-2021

Becht has made an interesting observation after working in several facilities: some of the best results come from organisations with poor maintenance work ...

Optimising information from thickness data

Apr-2021

Thickness measurement data generated through the routine inspection program represents the largest source of data generated in the mechanical integrity ...

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 ...

Choose the right hose: a practical guide to hose selection

Mar-2013

The right hose keeps your process performing safely and cost effectively. The wrong hose could undermine your process, put personnel at risk and compromise ...

Refinery power failures: causes, costs and solutions

Aug-2013

Power outages typically lead to damaging costs for refiners. Strategies are needed to minimise them.

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 ...

Mitigating corrosion from naphthenic acid streams

Jan-2003

The authors describe how crude and side-cut analysis, laboratory and field data lead to strategies for managing high severity operating conditions needed ...

Reciprocating compressor suction and discharge valve monitoring

Feb-2013

A decision making guideline evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the most common online monitoring technologies

Revamping a hydrocracker’s overhead condenser

Jul-2015

A stepwise approach solved seasonal issues affecting plans to increase a hydrocracker’s capacity

Where transparency-driven value comes from

Jan-2020

Safe and sustainable operation is a key factor for the profitability of every processing business, such as a petroleum refinery.