Steady state simulator to monitor treater performance

Apr-2001

A steady state hydrotreater model was used to monitor the effects of feed quality so that changes in key process factors could be matched against catalyst ...

Improved performance of the Benfield-HiPure process using process simulation

Oct-2013

Natural gas processing plants are an essential part of the energy industry, providing clean burning fuels and valuable chemical feedstock.

Retrofitting a glycol contactor to 
prevent carryover

Oct-2013

A revamp of glycol contactor column internals, following CFD studies, resolved problems with gas production caused by glycol carryover

AI in refinery modelling

Mar-2021

Hybrid modelling combines artificial intelligence and processing expertise to develop accurate models of refining processes.

Maximising CDU performance

Mar-2018

Scalable simulation of crude unit operations enables refineries to build increasingly rigorous models to enhance performance

Override control of fuel gas

Oct-2014

When natural gas was to be added to a refinery’s fuel gas system, detailed dynamic simulation of the new system ensured stable operation and a shorter ...

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

Comparison of ideal stage and mass transfer models for separation processes

Apr-2012

The design and optimisation of separation processes is carried out using process simulators that utilise various calculation approaches. Two techniques ...

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.

Managing training simulator projects

Oct-2006

Operator training simulators are not cheap, yet their value in preparing personnel for the fast startup and operation of new process plants is signifi ...

New process arrangements for upgrading heavy oils and residua

Jan-2014

Simulation studies reveal increased gasoline and diesel production from extra-heavy oil by means of RFCC and hydrocracking units with a mild hydrogenation ...

Business value of hydrocarbon production accounting

Jan-2015

The gains that a refiner made by implementing an enterprise-wide hydrocarbon accounting system were both financial and cultural

Predicting severity, viscosity and yields 
in fuel oil visbreaking

Apr-2014

Neuro-fuzzy technique is used to predict product properties in a 
commercial visbreaker

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 ...

Seven rules of sedimentation in hydrocracking

Apr-2015

Guidelines to mitigate sedimentation fouling in heavy sour crude processing together with case studies illustrating how the improvements are captured.

Industrial design and optimisation of CO2 capture, dehydration and compression facilities

Mar-2009

On an industrial-scale process, a comprehensive engineering design and optimisation study was conducted for CO2 capture, dehydration and compression facilities ...

Troubleshooting tail gas amine treaters

Oct-2007

Simulation of a tail gas-treating unit contaminated with sodium and heat-stable salt anions. Comparisons are made between plant performance data and the ...

SRU simulation getting the properties right

Aug-2016

Reliable, predictive simulation software for SRUs requires recognition of many of the unique properties and behaviours of sulphur.

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 ...

Value of monitoring exchanger networks

Oct-2012

A rigorous exchanger simulation model can be used to calculate the true cost of fouling in crude preheat networks

Modelling for ULSD optimisation

Apr-2011

On-line coordination and optimisation of refinery process units led to a 10% increase in middle distillate production

Rigorous hydrotreater simulation

Apr-2002

The authors describe an integrated approach to dealing with the complexities of producing ultra low sulphur diesel, involving analytical support and process ...

A two stage approach to controlling fouling on preheat trains at OMV’s Schwechat refinery

Aug-2016

Fouling in heat exchanger preheat trains is a well-known problem in the refining industry. Fouling reduces exchanger performance, increases furnace duty, ...

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

Analysis and prediction of hydrocarbon dew points and liquids in gas transmission lines

Mar-2006

The occurrence of liquid hydrocarbons in natural gas transmission lines has increased in recent years as a result of the shrinking price spread between ...

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, ...

Accelerating the digital transformation

May-2022

The energy and utilities (E&U) industry constantly changes and transforms to comply with government regulations, implement new technologies, and satisfy ...

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.

Biogas to biomethane

Nov-2022

Chemical absorption is both technically and economically feasible for biogas upgrading under atmospheric conditions, thereby avoiding the need for com ...

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.

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 ...

Ammonia destruction in the reaction furnace

Nov-2016

A study based on reaction fundamentals aids a comparison of the advantages of one-zone and two-zone SRU reaction furnace design in ammonia destruction ...

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.

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.

Data operations transform fuels value

May-2019

A refiner applied advanced analytics to develop techniques for processing opportunity crudes which minimise negative effects on the plant.

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.

Claus waste heat boiler economics Part 1: process considerations

Feb-2019

The design of the waste heat boiler has a critical role to play in determining process operations, reliability and economic performance in the sulphur ...

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 ...

Preventing ingress of HCN into 
amine systems

Jul-2013

Simulation studies provide guidelines on how to avoid contamination of refinery amine systems by hydrogen cyanide

Real-time total chlorine monitoring to ensure optimal desalter performance

May-2019

Chlorides are always present in raw crude oils and their concentrations vary greatly. Depending on origin, transportation methods, and process conditions, ...

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.

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.

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 ...

Revamping the hydrogen generation unit

Apr-2014

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

Accurate prediction of tower relief

Apr-2014

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

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 ...

Predicting process performance through an online platform

Sep-2021

Digitalisation has potential benefits across the oil and gas value chain. The InFocus™ Online Platform allows ExxonMobil Catalyst and Licensing LLC’s ...

New process arrangements for upgrading heavy oils and residua

Jan-2014

Simulation studies reveal increased gasoline and diesel production from extra-heavy oil by means of RFCC and hydrocracking units with a mild hydrogenation ...

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 ...