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Ambient conditions impact CO and NOx emissions: part I
Apr-2009
Changing ambient conditions can impact CO and NOx emissions without proper process adjustments. A wide range of operating conditions show how these emissions ...
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Catalyst filling in a fixed bed tubular reactor
Apr-2017
A reactor filling methodology ensures even reactant distribution and pressure drop
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Entrainment issues in vacuum column flash zones
Jan-2010
For a vacuum tower to operate effectively, the flash zone and the wash section must work together to provide the best possible feed quality to the sections ...
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Nov-2005
A review of improvements to the Shan Shan LNG processing facilities, ranging from gas treatment and liquefaction with a single mixed refrigerant cycle ...
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Naphtha cracking for light olefins production
Jul-2010
As an alternative to steam cracking, an FCC-type process provides on-purpose production of propylene
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Main fractionator water wash systems
Sep-2006
When properly designed and operated, main fractionator wash water systems can remove salt with little upset
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Computation of heat conduction in welding of thick wall reactor vessels
Sep-2017
The welding of reactors in refinery is complex due to various phase formation during and after welding. Each phase was unique with success of welding lies ...
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Minimising FCC slurry exchanger fouling
Jan-2008
A case study shows when to expect reductions in slurry / FCC preheat exchanger duty from a variety of factors, including organic and inorganic-based f ...
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Hydrogen-induced cracking and blistering
Apr-2009
Hydrogen damage to steel is a well-known consequence of corrosion in sour service. A corrosion inhibitor program can reduce hydrogen entry into the metal. ...
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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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Working with an extractive distillation process
Jul-2001
A cost comparison between progressive extractive distillation of aromatics versus a more conventional technology has shown there can be considerable savings ...
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Pygas upgrading for European steam crackers
Jan-2009
Upgrading secondary by-products from naphtha-based steam crackers is imperative to remain profitable in a competitive petrochemical field. This article ...
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Multiple corrosion mechanisms in crude distillation overhead system
Jul-2009
Extensive troubleshooting efforts determine distinct corrosion mechanisms simultaneously attacking multiple areas of an atmospheric tower overhead sys ...
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Diverting low-sulphur heavy stocks for fuel oil production
Apr-2011
Studies enabled a refinery to divert low-value product stocks into higher-value products and preserve crude throughput levels
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Sulphuric acid recovery from sulphurous waste streams
Oct-1998
The WSA process is a catalytic system for producing concentrated sulphuric acid from any sulphur-containing offgas, without the use of chemicals
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Reliable design of sour water strippers
Jul-2012
A simulation model aims to raise confidence in the reliability of sour water stripper design. Oil refining always generates sour water, and within a refinery ...
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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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Crude oil selection: optimisation by weight or by volume?
Apr-2010
The LP model should optimise crude and products in their trading units for accurate assessment of crude oil worth and maximisation of gains from product ...
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FCC gas concentration unit 
stripper revamp
Jul-2007
Unit charge rate and reactor conversion were increased by the elimination of stripper column flooding. Chemical-grade propylene specifications were me ...
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Linings for sulphur storage tanks
Apr-2015
Flexible spray coatings combat the corrosion mechanisms of sulphur stored in steel tanks.
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Comparison of thermal cracking and hydrocracking yield distributions
Sep-2011
Obtaining the maximum performance from existing residua upgrading equipment is achieved by maximum asset utilisation.
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Abatement of hydrogen sulphide 
in asphalt
Jan-2012
Risks of exposure at asphalt loading platforms require reliable monitoring of H2S levels and a programme of abatement using effective chemical scaveng ...
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Understanding cloud point and hydrotreating relationships
Feb-2013
As the distillate markets allow for increased distribution worldwide, refiners need to be more aware of the additional product specifications that can ...
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On-demand propylene from naphtha
Jun-2017
A new catalytic process targets economic production of propylene from naphtha at relatively low capital and operating costs
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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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Relative economics of mixed C4 processing routes
Jan-1998
Ethylene producers are seeking ways to upgrade the mixed C4 stream from ethylene plants to improve operating economics
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Minimise amine losses in gas and 
liquid treating
Jun-2018
Even with incomplete information, a systematic approach can be used to identify the source of amine losses and the action needed to reduce them.
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Improving hydrotreater performance with welded plate heat exchangers
Jul-2020
Pressure has never been higher on refiners to improve the efficiency of their energy-intensive processes.
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How can we raise butenes (butylenes) production from our FCC unit?
Feb-2021
Response to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A Feature
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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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Improved SOx reduction in partial burn FCC
Nov-2021
Refinery applications of a new additive demonstrate improved SOx reduction performance in partial burn FCC operation
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Premature foam-flood in an amine absorber: Part 1
Nov-2021
Troubleshooting and hydraulic analysis identified vapour channelling in fixed valve trays as the root cause of premature foam-flooding in a high pressure ...
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Sustainable aviation fuel: prepare for take-off!
Dec-2022
Despite the unprecedented drop in global air traffic due to the Covid-19 crisis in the past years, passenger numbers and cargo volumes are anticipated ...
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Universal filter for ultra-cleaning of reactor streams
Feb-2023
Magnetically induced filter removes solid particles to protect catalyst active pore openings from plugging.
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Reducing emissions while increasing refinery margin
Jul-2023
A chemical heat pump that absorbs energy inside industrial waste heat has the potential to reduce pressure on refinery margin by fluctuating gas, electricity, ...
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Reducing benzene 
in gasoline
Jul-2008
Cost-effective solutions for the reduction of benzene in gasoline, particularly with regard to MSAT II requirement
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Neutralising amine selection for crude units
Jun-2021
Making a proper selection of neutralising amine chemistry is a challenging task.
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Apr-2007
Utilisation of refinery offgases for hydrogen production. Three basic schemes of ROG integration into a steam reformer plant were investigated. These schemes ...
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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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Sour water strippers: design and operation
Apr-2013
Simpler, more cost-effective sour water stripper designs can outperform more generally accepted designs in the refining industry
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Choosing the proper regulator for high-purity applications
Feb-2008
Regulators are highly technical, highly specialised fluid-handling components. So, the next time you need one please do not just grab one out of the supply ...
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Heat exchanger fouling analytics
Sep-2020
Modelling the effects of fouling on the performance of heat exchangers and its impact on product values as well as energy losses
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Heat recovery solves carbon capture issues
Mar-2021
Flue gas heat recovery at the fired heater overcomes major drawbacks to the successful operation of an amine based carbon capture plant.
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Sustainability targets and policies driving SAF ... for Now
Apr-2022
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is still significantly less than fossil fuel-based aviation fuel (kero-jet).
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Ceramic coating application in a refinery steam methane reformer furnace
Jun-2022
Increase an SMR’s thermal efficiency by applying a high emissivity ceramic coating on the furnace box walls.
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De-mystifying vacuum ejector systems
Feb-2023
First-stage inter-condenser design and performance are critical for reliable vacuum system performance.
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Apr-2017
Detailed catalyst data collected over 15 years reveal shifts in FCC yields in response to changing market conditions, and provide a marker for future unit ...
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Maximizing refinery energy optimisation
Jan-2018
Flexicoking™ technology is a highly differentiated unique resid upgrading process resulting in significantly lower environmental emissions than other ...
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Troubleshooting instability in a debutaniser tower
Dec-2019
Successful diagnosis and remediation of premature flood in a debutaniser tower demonstrate the value of good diagnosis for solving tower problems econ ...
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Microbiological causes of corrosion
Jul-2014
Many of the most serious problems with corrosion of refinery equipment have a microbiological basis
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Plastics circularity: overcoming five disruptive truths
Jun-2023
The environmental challenge on plastic waste has never been more relevant than it is now as we move towards a net-zero future.
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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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Reduce the carbon footprint of tail gas treating with reactivated catalysts
May-2023
Times have changed since catalytic processes were established.
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Electric process heaters and decarbonisation in hydrocarbon processing
Apr-2023
Processing and refining hydrocarbons ultimately requires the use of high heat for a number of critical steps, and heaters based on fossil fuels have traditionally ...
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Intervening when feed gas is too lean: Heavies removal challenges for LNG projects
Apr-2023
UOP and Kiewit, based on previous work experience, have found that one size does not fit all when it comes to gas treating for LNG plants.
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Petrochemical complex digitalisation for greater efficiency and emissions reduction
Apr-2023
Concepts of automation and data exchange in manufacturing have propelled both upstream and downstream sectors into the 4.0 world, gradually extending to ...
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Facilitating significant reduction in emissions at utility plant
Apr-2023
Plants face the challenge of SCR fouling which, if left unresolved, can lead an excessive accumulation of ash on a catalyst resulting in compromised gas ...
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Debottlenecking product recovery using product pair distillation: Part I
Apr-2023
Advantages of using a thermodynamically efficient method to debottleneck existing distillation trains using fewer new columns than traditional methods ...
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Importance of effective and efficient data analysis and visualisation
Apr-2023
Kit-based ‘out-of-the-box’ dashboard solutions address many industry challenges, both in making better and faster decisions and simplifying and accelerating ...
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Co-processing alternative feedstocks through the FCC
Apr-2023
Decarbonise your FCC by co-processing alternative feedstocks, and enhance the incorporation of biogenic carbon in products.
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Unrevealed additional WASA additive performance at European refinery
Apr-2023
Study of the response of winter and summer grade diesel fuels to static dissipator additive and the effect of other additives on the electrical conductivity ...
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Digital platform for intelligent operation of fired heaters
Apr-2023
An innovative web-based tool that optimises fired heater operation and reduces carbon footprint while doing so.
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Minimising unwanted coke formation in FCC operations
Apr-2023
Design and operating practices to minimise the amount and effects of unwanted coke formation in FCC operations.
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Profiting from the lubricants market
Apr-2023
Pursuing a profitable and more sustainable purpose for crude oil through the lubricants market requires examination of lubricants production via hydro ...
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Monetisation gas resources through LNG, hydrogen, and ammonia
Apr-2023
Capturing profitability in the downstream hydrocarbon processing industry’s transition to net zero emissions weights heavily on leveraging natural gas ...
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Co-hydroprocessing renewable feedstocks through hydrocrackers
Apr-2023
A wider variety of feedstocks are being processed through hydrocracking units. These units were primarily designed to process heavy crude oil or vacuum ...
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Reducing vapour pressure giveaway
Apr-2023
Challenge: A major petroleum company in North America needed to blend gasoline, gasoline components, and additives without exceeding vapour pressure limits ...
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Refinery of the future: bankable, flexible and sustainable
Apr-2023
Efficient use of molecular precision across an integrated refining and petrochemical operation uncovers the best roadmap for refiners to meet their changing ...
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Energy saving with tube inserts for heat exchangers
Apr-2023
When it comes to fouling in crude oil preheat trains, tube inserts can maximise heat transfer and reduce heat exchanger fouling, with an average six-month ...
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Mitigating FCC gas plant impacts when increasing reactor LPG yields
Apr-2023
Increasing FCC reactor LPG yields at the expense of gasoline increases profitability, but equipment downstream of the converter requires modifications ...
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From thermal maldistribution to cycle length extension
Apr-2023
How Tüpraş enhanced the performance of a distillate hydroprocessing unit by cost effectively cracking more of the heavier components to diesel.
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Anti-fouling additives to improve heavy oil processing
Apr-2023
A continuous pilot testing evaluation shows how magnesium sulphonated-based nano-additive is highly effective in mitigating and reducing upgrader/refinery ...
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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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Methanol from CO2: a technology and outlook overview
Apr-2023
Optimal capture of CO2 towards methanol production compels development of sustainable renewable solutions like green methanol.
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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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Steam methane reformer tube lifecycle improvement best practices
May-2024
Reformer tube life assessment can be done via online monitoring, non-destructive testing, and tube harvesting with historical operating, monitoring, and ...