ARTICLES
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Safe, reliable and maintenance-free coke drum unheading
Jun-2011
The process of coke drum unheading within oil refining has traditionally been one of the most dangerous activities in the industry. Even today such operations ...
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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 ...
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Improving FCCUs: bottoms system upgrades
Jul-2003
A review of process flow scheme fundamentals and basic equipment operating and design principles that have improved unit operating profitability through ...
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How to read a regulator flow curve
Sep-2011
The best way to select a regulator for your application is to examine its flow curve, which is often provided by the manufacturer. “Flow curve” is ...
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Apr-2009
Real retrofit examples demonstrate how crude units can be successfully optimised with the crude slates currently being processed. Process design strategies ...
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Pressure relief with rupture discs
Jan-2019
A rupture disc is a non-closing safety device that is fail-safe with predictable operation and reliability characteristics.
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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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Optimising cooling water systems
Oct-2005
An integrated approach to chemical treatment can improve reliability, reduce costs and extend the life of cooling systems. Cooling system problems can ...
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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 ...
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Benchmarking and optimising maintenance for turnarounds
Oct-2016
A methodology can be used to benchmark scope and provide early and reliable forecasts of labour hours and costs during a turnaround
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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
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Estimation of steam losses using a predictive tool
Jul-2010
A predictive mathematical tool estimates condensate flow rate and flow correction factor to obtain steam losses in steam traps
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Advances in benchmarking capital project costs
Jan-2018
A scope based approach to benchmarking project costs can provide insights to improve competitiveness
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Safety system separation - examination of three types of machinery protection systems
Apr-2016
overspeed, surge detection and vibration monitoring, to help clarify when a SIL certification is truly necessary. Authors explain how companies can protect ...
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Predictive analytics in incident prevention
Sep-2018
Predictive analytics can support risk management by identifying where failures are likely to occur and what can be done to prevent them.
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Improving sulphur plant performance
Jun-2017
Strict attention to utilities is critical to ensure safe and reliable sulphur recovery unit operation
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Revamping a hydrocracker’s overhead condenser
Jul-2015
A stepwise approach solved seasonal issues affecting plans to increase a hydrocracker’s capacity
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An advanced asphaltene pelletisation process
Jul-2000
A description of a new process for pelletising asphaltene from solvent deasphalters to produce solid asphaltene pellets with a higher heating value, and ...
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Benefits from a profits improvement plan
Jul-2001
How a Japanese refinery improved its profitability by adopting a detailed plan for optimising every aspect of plant operation as well as encouraging a ...
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Early failure detection and shutdown of critical compressor due to a crosshead fracture
Aug-2011
Over the last few years it has become more and more apparent that operators of piston compressors use specific monitoring systems particular for their ...
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Jan-2007
Gamma scanning is a powerful tool that can be used to determine the cause of flooding and regain column efficiency. Debutaniser capacity and performance ...
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Tackling fouling in vinyl monomer manufacture
Jul-2003
Conventional and new approaches to the control of fouling in vinyl monomer processes are discussed in this article, which describes the fouling characteristics ...
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Integrated hydrogen management
Oct-2014
Redesigning an existing hydrogen system leads to an integrated, reliable and flexible supply
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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
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Jul-2006
Benchmarking is an important tool in routine FCC data evaluations. It can be used to validate unit data as well as identify areas for improved perform ...
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Dec-2022
Risk-based Inspection (RBI) has been around the refining and petrochemical industry for many years.
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An advanced asphaltene pelletisation process
Jul-2000
A description of a new process for pelletising asphaltene from solvent deasphalters to produce solid asphaltene pellets with a higher heating value, and ...
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Oct-2004
Installation of vortex tube clusters in crude unit preflash drums has eliminated foam carry-over, increasing diesel and atmospheric gasoil product yie ...
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How to read a regulator flow curve
Sep-2011
The best way to select a regulator for your application is to examine its flow curve, which is often provided by the manufacturer. “Flow curve” is ...
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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
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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
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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
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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 ...
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Advances in benchmarking capital project costs
Jan-2018
A scope based approach to benchmarking project costs can provide insights to improve competitiveness
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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
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Operating vacuum distillation ejector systems
Oct-2016
Best practices and opportunities to deliver reliable ejector system performance and reduce performance risk.
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Advances in damage modelling (TIA)
Feb-2021
High temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) is a serious damage mechanism that can affect hydroprocessing, catalytic reforming, and hydrogen production units ...
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Improving reaction furnace performance with the Blasch VectorWall mixing checkerwall
Sep-2013
Operators of large refractory lined combustion chambers, whether used as primary reaction furnaces, thermal oxidisers in tail gas units or miscellaneous ...
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Planning for a pipestill clean
Jan-2010
A combination of proven technology, setting expectations and developing a detailed plan helped a refiner achieve optimum results from unit clearing and ...
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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 ...
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Apr-2012
Operators of process equipment have an obligation to understand the existing and future potential for unit reliability and operability.
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Improving sulphur plant performance
Jun-2017
Strict attention to utilities is critical to ensure safe and reliable sulphur recovery unit operation
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Integrated hydrogen management
Oct-2014
Redesigning an existing hydrogen system leads to an integrated, reliable and flexible supply
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Best practices for installation of safety valves
Mar-2013
One of the most critical automatic safety devices in a steam system is the safety valve. The safety valve provides a protective measure for lives, equipment ...
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Jan-2018
Without the efforts of professional craft planners and logistics professionals, turnarounds will be a serious challenge
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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
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Packed bed performance analytics
Jun-2018
Advanced analytics introduce a numerical and easily understood approach to tower gamma scanning.
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Improving turbocompressor availability
Jul-2009
Modular replacement maintenance can reduce major overhaul downtime by nearly 50%, and time between combustion and major overhauls can also be extended
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Improving profitability in the era of lower utilisation
Jul-2011
Over the last several years, the US refining industry has evolved from the golden era of high margins and maximum utilisation to tighter margins and refinery ...
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Oct-2016
Large maintenance overhaul projects are complex, expensive processes, often with unpredictable challenges that call for best practice techniques.
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Predictive analytics in incident prevention
Sep-2018
Predictive analytics can support risk management by identifying where failures are likely to occur and what can be done to prevent them.
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Some myths about mechanical cleaning
Aug-2018
Because it has long been the only option when unit cleaning becomes unavoidable, the true cost of mechanical cleaning has been overlooked.
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Aug-2018
The benefits of including a non-intrusive approach within a risk based strategy for the inspection of pressure vessels.
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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 ...
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Packed bed performance analytics
Jun-2018
Advanced analytics introduce a numerical and easily understood approach to tower gamma scanning.
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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
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Jan-2018
Without the efforts of professional craft planners and logistics professionals, turnarounds will be a serious challenge
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Advances in benchmarking capital project costs
Jan-2018
A scope based approach to benchmarking project costs can provide insights to improve competitiveness
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Optimising the health of rotating equipment
Jul-2017
Applying predictive analytics to rotating equipment enables a preventative maintenance programme for improved savings
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Stopping corrosion on in-service structures
Jun-2017
Unlike more traditional coatings, chemically bonded phosphate ceramics can stop corrosion, extend equipment life, and minimise production downtime
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Improving sulphur plant performance
Jun-2017
Strict attention to utilities is critical to ensure safe and reliable sulphur recovery unit operation
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Operating vacuum distillation ejector systems
Oct-2016
Best practices and opportunities to deliver reliable ejector system performance and reduce performance risk.
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Benchmarking and optimising maintenance for turnarounds
Oct-2016
A methodology can be used to benchmark scope and provide early and reliable forecasts of labour hours and costs during a turnaround
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Oct-2016
Large maintenance overhaul projects are complex, expensive processes, often with unpredictable challenges that call for best practice techniques.
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The outlook for transport fuels: Part 2
Jun-2016
As demand evolves, as specifications change, and as new fuel opportunities arise, what are the implications for refiners up to mid-century?
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Safety system separation - examination of three types of machinery protection systems
Apr-2016
overspeed, surge detection and vibration monitoring, to help clarify when a SIL certification is truly necessary. Authors explain how companies can protect ...
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On-stream refractory measurement
Oct-2015
Precise assessment of refractory condition can avoid unwelcome discoveries during unit turnarounds
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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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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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Revamping a hydrocracker’s overhead condenser
Jul-2015
A stepwise approach solved seasonal issues affecting plans to increase a hydrocracker’s capacity
-
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
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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
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Troubleshooting steam ejectors
Oct-2014
Some causes and practical solutions concerning problems with refinery steam vacuum ejectors
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Integrated hydrogen management
Oct-2014
Redesigning an existing hydrogen system leads to an integrated, reliable and flexible supply
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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 ...
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Becht fired heaters services
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Refining Process Solutions
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RVP in process
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AMETEK Process Instruments Refinery Solutions
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Flow control solutions for refining and chemicals
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Vacuum Systems
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Axens SAF Solutions
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BASF Refinery Catalyst Publication Library
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Level and density in resid hydrocracking processes
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Custom catalysts from Evonik
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