Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

April 2019

Archive

Special Focus: Clean Fuels

Ultra-deep desulfurization of FCC gasoline: Reactive adsorption strategy
SINOPEC Engineering Inc.: Tao, Y.

With an increase in concern for the environment, countries around the world are implementing stringent environmental regulations and are continuously pressuring refiners to reduce the amount of sulfur in transportation fuels—primarily gasoline and diesel—to combat airborne pollution caused by vehicles.

FCC operational changes to boost gasoline octane
Tüpraş: Genç, M.  |  Gül, A.  |  Avcilar, S.  |  Öztürk, B.  |  Önen, M. F.  |  Akkuş, E.

The fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) is one of the main units providing gasoline with high-octane numbers to the refinery gasoline pool.

Process Engineering

Coke drum and blowdown system overpressure protection design - Part 1

The blowdown (BD) system in delayed coking units (DCUs) receives waste streams generated during the coke drum (CD) decoking process to recover valuable hydrocarbons and water. In recent DCU designs, the CD pressure relief valves (PRVs) also discharge to this system and then to the flare system via the BD PRVs.

Develop reactor internals for optimizing reactor design - Part 2: High-performance mixing chamber
GS Engineering and Construction: Ahn, E. S.  |  Park, S. I.  |  Song, I. C.  |  Kim, G. B.  |  Chang, G. S.

Most hydroprocessing reactors are fixed-bed reactors comprising several catalyst beds that are divided by quench zones containing mixing chambers that introduce a vapor-quenching medium.

Solve gravity separation challenges
Mahsan Consulting Services Ltd.: Majeed, K. T.

Separation of oil, water, gas and solids (sand) droplets/particles is one of the most common requirements in most oil and gas facilities.

Catalyst

Improve CCR reforming profitability using a novel high-density catalyst
Fuji Oil Co.: Takahashi, H.
Nikki-Universal Co.: Nakamura, Y.
Honeywell UOP: Chang, J.

Catalytic reforming has been a staple in petroleum refining since 1949.

Heat Transfer

Assess remaining life for heater tubes
Engineers India Ltd.: Patel, R.  |  Singh, J.  |  Ashutosh

Refineries and petrochemical plants form some of the major sections of the hydrocarbon industry and consume much of the fuel that is burned in furnaces (heaters and specialty furnaces, such as reformers and crackers) to meet process heating requirements.

Project Management

Comparative analyses of common project execution alternatives
ShureLine Construction: Shahani, G.

With major projects (FIG. 1), alternatives are generally considered in overall project execution and in construction.

Environment and Safety

A cost-effective approach to monitoring dangerous hydrogen sulfide gas
Emerson Automation Solutions: Hernandez, J.

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) is one of the most common hazards in the oil and gas industry.

Columns

Editorial Comment: Where some see roadblocks, we see opportunities
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

In the January issue of Hydrocarbon Processing, the editorial comment focused on the roadmap to advancing ideas.

Reliability: Safe fluid machines are our responsibility
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Early in our training as engineers, we developed the ability to collect and evaluate data.

Asia: Japanese refining moves towards consolidation and increased efficiency
Contributing Writer: Gerden, E.

According to recent statements of leading Japanese analysts in the field of refining and the country’s largest producers, the Japanese refining industry is moving towards consolidation and an increase in efficiency.

Engineering Case Histories: Case 106: Delayed fireball type explosions
Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

When a vessel containing a flammable liquid under pressure (such as those in an LNG road tanker truck) ruptures and ignites, a vapor fireball explosion can occur.

Viewpoint: Downstream expansions will accelerate needed production growth
Saudi Aramco: Al-Judaimi, A. M.

Two transformative drivers—global economic growth averaging more than 3%/yr and the world population expanding to more than 9 B by 2040—will have the net effect of adding another India and China to today’s global energy demand.

Digital: Cloud-based dynamic simulation models amplify operator training and safety programs
AVEVA: Lukman, M.  |  McMullen, J

International oil and gas (O&G) and hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) companies are under great pressure to be profitable.

Industry Perspectives: New project announcements up nearly 28% in 1Q 2019
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

According to Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database, new project announcements are nearly 28% higher in 1Q 2019 compared to 1Q 2018.

Business Trends: How plastics waste recycling could transform the chemical industry
McKinsey & Co.: Hundertmark, T.  |  Mayer, M.  |  McNally, C.  |  Simons, T. J.  |  Witte, C.

If plastics demand follows its current trajectory, global plastics-waste volumes would grow from 260 MMtpy in 2016 to 460 MMtpy by 2030, taking what is already a serious environmental problem to a new level.

Industry Metrics
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

All main US products performed positively as refinery product outputs declined considerably and led to a fall in inventory levels, fueling bullish sentiment.

Global Project Data
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database is tracking nearly 1,300 projects around the world.

Innovations
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

Industrial workers can strengthen their grasp of production and make more informed operating decisions with the new Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5480 controller by Rockwell Automation.

People
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

Geoffrey Somary has been named CEO of Ipsen Group worldwide, succeeding Thorsten Krüger, who will move to the company’s advisory board. Since 2005, Mr. Somary has held several senior positions within Ipsen.