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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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Oct-2016
Software based on the latest international codes enables straightforward design of storage tanks in a range of load conditions
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Sour water: where it comes from and how to handle it
Sep-2011
Sour water strippers are common in gas processing facilities, sulphur recovery units, wellhead facilities, and refinery applications. Understanding the ...
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The role of tail gas treating unit quench towers
Jun-2016
A quench tower cools gas entering a tail gas amine unit but also protects the amine against SO2 breakthrough.
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Jul-2013
A simulation model compares accurately with actual operating data to provide reliable predictions of catalyst lifetime in naphtha reforming
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Simulation of a visbreaking unit
Apr-2011
Simulation of a commercial visbreaking unit supports optimisation of the unit’s performance. The visbreaking unit utilises vacuum residue as a feed and ...
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Dynamic simulation: a tool for engineering problems
Oct-2012
Dynamic simulation can be used to solve engineering problems that require an in-depth understanding of transient processes
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Managing vanadium from high metals crude oils
Sep-2003
Improvements in process and equipment design with regard to crude unit and delayed coker distillation column performance can reduce metals content
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Tube rupture in a natural gas heater
Feb-2016
Dynamic simulation supports the use of a pressure safety valve over a rupture disk in the event of a tube rupture
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Simulation model increases visbreaker conversion
Jan-2011
Introduction of advanced analytical monitoring, chemical treatment and process optimisation has raised the profitability of a visbreaker unit
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Applying relief load calculation methods
Apr-2008
Case study compares dynamic simulation vs conventional unbalanced heat method for relief load calculations in a naphtha hydrotreater, focusing on the strengths ...
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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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Practical hydrocarbon dew point specification for natural gas transmission lines
Mar-2011
Hydrocarbon liquid dropout can cause a number of problems in gas transmission lines, including increased pressure drop, reduced line capacity and equipment ...
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Using pinch technology in operations?
Sep-2013
Pinch Technology is a well established concept, and a tool used to optimise waste heat recovery and design efficient heat integration schemes in a wide ...
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Simulating crude units with preflash
Nov-2016
Process simulation offers a cost effective way of testing ideas to improve yield and energy performance.
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Stepwise simulation of vacuum transfer line hydraulics
Oct-2009
A stepwise hydraulic calculation determines the pressure profile of a vacuum transfer line by linking the hydraulic model to process simulation result ...
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Using APC in refinery energy systems — develop your own solutions
Oct-2013
Advanced Process Control (APC) has been used extensively to assist in operating refinery and petrochemical processes smoothly, safely and profitably.
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Identifying poor heat exchanger performance
Sep-2007
Identifying root causes of poor crude unit debutaniser reboiler performance and low-cost solutions that help meet exchanger original design conditions
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Jul-2015
Computational fluid dynamics was used to analyse the performance of side entry mixers in large crude tanks
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A comparison of physical solvents for acid gas removal
Mar-2008
Physical solvents such as DEPG (Selexol or Coastal AGR), NMP or N-Methyl-2- Pyrrolidone (Purisol), Methanol (Rectisol), Propylene Carbonate (Fluor Solvent) ...
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Simulating optimal tank farm design
Apr-2005
Development of a computerised model incorporating Monte Carlo operational risk simulation with the optimisation power of linear programming
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Crude oil cargo selection and time frame of LP optimisation
Jul-2010
Combinatorial selection is the most rigorous and theoretically correct method of crude oil cargo evaluation. Efficient algorithms are key to its imple ...
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Improving refinery distillation operations
Apr-2008
The outline of a route map or staged approach to unit process improvement follows similar steps to those taken when installing advanced controls on a ...
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Simulating and monitoring H2 plant operations
Oct-2012
A computer program was developed to enable a refinery to monitor its hydrogen production daily to foresee potential operating problems
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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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Modelling ensures a successful revamp
Nov-2020
Pre-turnaround computational modelling built confidence in the benefits of introducing design changes to a FCC regenerator revamp.
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Energy network monitoring and optimisation
Jun-2021
A software program for optimisation of an energy network supports decisions on equipment use in refineries that produce and import power.
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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 ...
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Start-up and shutdown issues in sulphur processing
Nov-2020
Knowing the limitations of the sulphur unit and what may occur during start-ups and shutdowns helps to prevent damage.
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Study of CCRU first reformer reactor ∆P behaviour using multiple linear regression
Apr-2022
Determinants and explanatory variables affecting the behaviour of the first reformer reactor ∆P are identified, with the aim of controlling it and ...
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Simulation model increases visbreaker conversion
Jan-2011
Introduction of advanced analytical monitoring, chemical treatment and process optimisation has raised the profitability of a visbreaker unit
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Boosting tube-side heat transfer
Jun-2021
Tube insert technologies can improve heat exchanger performance by enhancing tube-side heat transfer coefficients in two-phase applications.
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Mar-2021
Hybrid modelling combines artificial intelligence and processing expertise to develop accurate models of refining processes.
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Jun-2021
Upgraded crude scheduling enabled a refiner to increase its use of opportunity crudes for higher margin.
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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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Best practice for refinery flowsheets
Aug-2019
Refinery-wide flowsheets can demonstrate the true representation of changes in key operating variables and their associated impact on refinery operati ...
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Stepwise simulation of vacuum transfer line hydraulics
Oct-2009
A stepwise hydraulic calculation determines the pressure profile of a vacuum transfer line by linking the hydraulic model to process simulation result ...
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Cross-unit APC boosts downstream performance
Jul-2020
Manipulating advanced process control in a crude unit reduced constraints in a downstream diesel hydrotreater
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Using APC in refinery energy systems — develop your own solutions
Oct-2013
Advanced Process Control (APC) has been used extensively to assist in operating refinery and petrochemical processes smoothly, safely and profitably.
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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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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.
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Tube rupture in a natural gas heater
Feb-2016
Dynamic simulation supports the use of a pressure safety valve over a rupture disk in the event of a tube rupture
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Simulation of Claus unit performance
Nov-2019
Simulating a sulphur recovery unit using a fundamental approach enables the effects of process changes on a host of performance metrics to be reliably ...
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Downtime damages environmental performance too
Jul-2020
Advanced technologies can reduce the environmental impact of unexpected shutdowns.
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Increase duty in tube side condensers
Jul-2020
A retrofit is shown to improve several aspects of tube side condensation processes.
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Cutting the cost of refinery process control and CEMS gas analysis
Aug-2020
Developments in equipment functionality to reduce maintenance costs, innovative service delivery which can enable outsourcing and an array of digital solutions ...
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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 ...
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Planning to counter economic turbulence
Sep-2020
Synchronising engineering and planning models should be a key aim to support the resilience and agility needed for economic recovery
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HDXRF vs ICP for nickel and vanadium in crude oil
Sep-2020
Technology introduced over the last decade, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, has led to new sources of light tight oil (LTO). LTO ...
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Digital strategies for refinery operators
Nov-2024
Large-scale digitalisation of the downstream sector will only be possible if companies make all the data they collect available in a way that’s intuitive ...
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Vacuum heater operational cycle improvement study
Oct-2024
Coke formation creates short vacuum heater runs. Controlling film temperature and oil residence time can help reduce coke formation rate inside radiant ...
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Specifying waste water treatment unit biomass separation pilot test equipment (TiA)
Oct-2024
Problem: A Texas Gulf Coast refinery performed a pilot trial testing biomass solids separation.
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Corrosion monitoring techniques and benefits of newer methods
Oct-2024
By leveraging the power of AIoT, industry can overcome the hidden challenges of permanent ultrasonic sensor solutions and achieve superior operational ...
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APC advances FCC unit performance at Pemex Deer Park refinery
Oct-2024
In addition to exploring the complex design and processes behind an advanced process control solution, the benefits gained are discussed in this case ...
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Mastering mega-scale refinery and petrochemical projects (RI 2024)
Sep-2024
India’s economy is experiencing impressive growth. As its gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to reach $8.6 trillion by 2040, India’s energy ...
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Co-processing renewable feeds in hydrodesulphurisation units
May-2024
Ionic modelling’s contribution to designing crucial modifications in HDS unit process schemes to minimise the risk to operations while maximising renewable ...
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Solving a tube failure problem due to flow stratification using the Xtend tube-insert
Apr-2024
A vacuum heater located at a major oil refinery experienced tube failures at the top of the radiant section, and inspection showed a substantial layer ...
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Revolutionising refining with digital twins
Feb-2024
Exploring applications and outputs across the refinery landscape. Refiners are at the crossroads of innovation and challenge.
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Predictive model for maximum feedstock flexibility (ERTC 2023)
Nov-2023
Challenge of crude oil variability. Current market conditions are driving refineries towards a permanent diversification in crudes. Crude oil is a complex ...
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K Model: The future of blending (RI 2023)
Nov-2023
In a refinery operation, the profitability margin is increased when heavy crude fractions are blended with light crude without affecting processabilit ...
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Transforming hydrogen production for a greener future with water electrolysis (RI 2023)
Nov-2023
There is a global trend toward producing clean hydrogen to achieve the ambitious net zero emissions target by 2050.
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Simulation VGO and waste lubricating/cooking oil co-hydroprocessing
Nov-2023
Software used to build a simulation case for industrial hydrocracking of VGO, WCO, and WLO validates predicted values of gasoline and middle distillates ...
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Optimising fouled distillation units
Nov-2023
Case studies discuss optimisation strategies and enhanced distillation unit performance against fouled conditions.
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Enabling safe FCC unit operational changes through ionic modelling
Nov-2023
How ionic modelling assisted in the management of change in FCC unit operations.
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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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Run length improvement and emissions reduction in delayed coker heaters
May-2023
For many refineries, the delayed coker unit is a vital component of refinery profitability. The tubes used in delayed coker units foul and must be decoked ...
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Kinetic model for TGU hydrogenation reactors: Part 2 Catalyst model validation
Apr-2023
A rigorous high-fidelity kinetic model can help designers and operators forecast the life expectancy of reactor catalyst beds.
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COS and mercaptans removal from gases
Apr-2023
Challenges with removing trace sulphur species can be better understood and resolved with a new kinetic model validated by plant data in its ability to ...
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One simple trick to set your CFD projects on a path to success
Feb-2023
Starting your CFD project off in the right way can result in high-quality bids, knowing your deliverables and reducing schedule risk.
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Kinetic model for TGU hydrogenation reactors: Part 1 model development
Feb-2023
Development of rigorous model for reaction kinetics and catalyst deactivation mechanisms capable of predicting SRU and TGU performance is presented.
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Nov-2022
Chemical absorption is both technically and economically feasible for biogas upgrading under atmospheric conditions, thereby avoiding the need for com ...
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Future refinery complexes built using an integrated approach
Nov-2022
Minimise risks of project design changes at later stages using process digital twins during the design phase.
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Oct-2022
Most refineries are adopting cloud-enabled digitalisation to reap the benefits of technology in terms of scale-up, security, and availability of the applications ...
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FCC unit yield improvement with artificial intelligence
Aug-2022
How closed loop neural networks have improved FCC yields via direct control and continuous optimization.