Simulating crude units with preflash

Nov-2016

Process simulation offers a cost effective way of testing ideas to improve yield and energy performance.

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 ...

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 ...

Mixing in large crude tanks

Jul-2015

Computational fluid dynamics was used to analyse the performance of side entry mixers in large crude tanks

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

Refining/petrochemical integration: a new paradigm

Sep-2013

The global trend in motor fuel consumption favours diesel over gasoline. There is a simultaneous increase in demand for various petrochemicals such as ...

Simulation of bitumen upgrading processes

Apr-2013

Two bitumen upgrading processes currently used in the Canadian oil sands industry were investigated using modelling and simulation techniques

Mercaptans removal from gases by absorption into amines and caustic

Mar-2014

A mass transfer rate-based model of the absorption process is used to discuss quantitatively the ease and extent of removal of methyl through n-butyl mercaptans ...

Distribution of HCN in sour water systems

Apr-2014

Hydrogen cyanide is commonly present in refinery gases. Because of its low volatility and to some extent its acidity, it travels through amine and sour ...

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.

Deep-cut vacuum unit design

Oct-2005

Process modelling and equipment know-how are needed to design deep-cut vacuum units that operate reliably at high temperature and low pressure

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) ...

Revamping the hydrogen generation unit

Apr-2014

Hydrogen plants can be modified for higher production by employing innovative process schemes

HCN in amine systems

Jan-2014

HCN has far reaching effects on amine system performance. After hydrocarbon contamination, its presence is one of the primary reasons refinery amine systems ...

Impact of acid gas loading on the heat of absorption and voc and btex solubility in amine sweetening units

Mar-2007

In amine sweetening units, the heat of absorption and VOC and BTEX solubility have been found to vary significantly with acid gas loading, as well as with ...

Canadian crude processing challenges

Jan-2008

Vacuum unit design influences liquid volume yields, run length, product 
yield and product quality when processing bitumen crude oils

Light tight oil crude comparison

Mar-2015

The production method for Eagle Ford and Bakken is via fracturing of the tight or shale formations in two different North America regions. Crude from the ...

Overcoming tight emulsion problems

Oct-2014

A refiner’s trials of a membrane coalescence mechanism were scaled up to plant level and delivered significant product recovery from tight aqueous e ...

Protecting compressors with dynamic simulation

Apr-2014

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

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.

Optimising safety relief and flare systems

Apr-2011

Understanding the behaviour of refinery units by dynamic modelling of emergencies enables the prediction of realistic relief loads

Acidic and basic contaminants in amine treating

Jun-2014

Sources of heat stable salt (HSS) contaminants in amine treating solutions are discussed and their effect on reaction equilibria in acid gas-amine systems ...

Accurate prediction of tower relief

Apr-2014

A comparison of conventional and dynamic simulation methods applied to a project to debottleneck a deisobutaniser

Optimising crude 
unit design

Apr-2009

Real retrofit examples demonstrate how crude units can be successfully optimised with the crude slates currently being processed. Process design strategies ...

Applying pinch technology to 
energy recovery

Oct-2013

A pinch technology-based study of heating and cooling of material streams in a large-scale olefins plant identifies major opportunities for energy sav ...

Impact of light tight oils on distillate hydrotreater operation

Apr-2016

Addressing the range of challenges brought to diesel and jet production by light tight oil processing

Factors affecting Claus waste heat boiler design and operation

Mar-2019

The Claus Waste Heat Boiler (WHB) is a critical piece of equipment in a Sulphur Recovery Unit (SRU); its fundamental purpose is as a heat transfer device ...

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 ...

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 avoiding ...

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 ...

Acidic and basic contaminants in amine treating

Jun-2014

Sources of heat stable salt (HSS) contaminants in amine treating solutions are discussed and their effect on reaction equilibria in acid gas-amine systems ...

Countering hydrate formation in an NGL recovery unit

May-2018

Process modelling can be used to validate data from the plant and identify the most effective approach to process optimisation.

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 ...

Mercaptans removal from gases by absorption into amines and caustic

Mar-2014

A mass transfer rate-based model of the absorption process is used to discuss quantitatively the ease and extent of removal of methyl through n-butyl mercaptans ...

Tube alloy degradation in a steam cracking furnace

Apr-2015

Understanding catalytic coke growth mechanisms to better predict and optimise furnace service times with tube alloy degradation

SO2 breakthrough under the microscope

Jun-2017

Plant simulation reveals that any breakthrough of sulphur dioxide will cause havoc in the tail gas treating unit.

Digital twins enhance LNG plant performance

May-2019

Digitalisation technologies offer new and disruptive ways to overcome the challenges of increasing margin, reducing carbon emissions and addressing talent ...

Field experience with a Claus furnace checker wall

Jan-2014

A new design of Claus furnace checker wall delivers improved mechanical performance and process flow characteristics.

Troubleshooting refinery equipment with multiphase CFD modelling

Jan-2014

Computational fluid dynamics is a useful and increasingly practical tool for improving the design of and increasing the understanding of common process ...

Pinched performance: Part 1

Feb-2015

Absorbers become lean-end pinched when the solvent’s capacity for acid gas greatly exceeds the acid gas to be removed. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide ...

Simulation of bitumen upgrading processes

Apr-2013

Two bitumen upgrading processes currently used in the Canadian oil sands industry were investigated using modelling and simulation techniques

Consider multivariate statistical modelling to maximise FCC unit profitability

Nov-2013

Process models(a) and simulation(b) can be used to simulate the fluidised-bed catalytic cracking (FCC) unit process, kinetic or multivariate statistical ...

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.

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.

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.

Designing storage tanks

Oct-2016

Software based on the latest international codes enables straightforward design of storage tanks in a range of load conditions

Accurate prediction of tower relief

Apr-2014

A comparison of conventional and dynamic simulation methods applied to a project to debottleneck a deisobutaniser

Revamping the hydrogen generation unit

Apr-2014

Hydrogen plants can be modified for higher production by employing innovative process schemes

Predicting corrosion rates in amine and sour water systems

May-2014

A chemistry-based predictive model predicts corrosion rates in specific processing conditions. Corrosion is a ubiquitous problem in gas treating in the ...

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