Whitepapers

Hydrocarbon processing facilities may experience excessive pressure drop at the inlet of their pressure relief valves (PRVs). This is problematic because it can lead to valve instability or chatter and also potentially result in OSHA fines. This whitepaper discusses several inlet pressure loss mitigation options to improve the overall stability and reliability of a PRV installation and examines why a restricted lift PRV is the best option.

Within the xylene loop, the main challenge is to efficiently remove ethylbenzene while minimizing xylene loss. By implementing a xylene isomerization process, users achieve energy savings through both reduced traffic in the xylene loop and lower temperature requirement of the high activity isomerization catalyst. The technical paper also showcases an example of a commercial retrofit with associated benefits through Idemitsu Kosan in Japan.

Process sampling is integral to hydrocarbon processing, providing visibility into product quality, identifying corrosion and helping ensure process integrity. Whether you’re responsible for specifying sampling panels, maintaining panels or managing your company’s sampling program, it's imperative to follow best practices for increasing sampling accuracy, operator safety and panel reliability. Sentry Equipment's eBook, "Process Sampling 101: Five Things to Know When Sampling in a Hydrocarbon Processing Plant" provides valuable sampling insights.

Petra MAX delivers D4294 sulfur analysis in addition to 12 elements like nickel, vanadium and iron. Petra MAX is available with autosampler, delivering continuous sample load and tracking capabilities. Download our whitepaper to learn about the features that make Petra MAX unique compared to its counterparts in the market.

Catalytic reforming, a staple of petroleum refining since 1949, and Continuous Catalyst Regeneration (CCR) Platforming™ units, are the preferred choice for upgrading naphtha since commercialization in 1971. Today, refiners look for catalyst innovations that improve CCR Platforming unit performance. This paper outlines differentials of UOP high-density catalysts, examines pilot plant tests, and features how Fuji Oil received greater flexibility for a future capacity debottlenecking solution with UOP's R-364 platforming catalyst.

The downstream markets in Europe and Asia have stark differences. Europe—especially Western Europe—has a mature refining and petrochemical production network. Many plants were constructed dozens of years ago. However, the region is making concerted efforts to boost sustainability, including mandating clean-fuels production and increasing energy efficiency, while mitigating plant emissions and waste. The region is building additional production capacity, but project numbers vary significantly between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This whitepaper details major downstream oil and gas initiatives in Europe, along with capital expenditures in downstream project construction.

The two most important criteria driving the selection of dividing wall columns (DWCs) over a conventional two-column system are energy savings and lower capital cost, while delivering the same product quality as the two-column system. Other benefits include smaller plot area and shorter payback periods. The energy saving benefits are even more pronounced in regions where utility costs are significantly high, like India and Southeast Asia, or in plants where existing utility systems like steam and cooling water are already running close to peak capacity, resulting in little margin for new users. 

Risk analysis is generally performed in the later stages of design to prove that the plant will deliver what it’s supposed to. However, some clever practitioners are now employing it much earlier to speed up decision-making and lock in superior design choices when they really matter -  at the beginning of the project. In this paper, learn how Aspen Fidelis Reliability uses a systems approach that allows you to quantify the true value or cost of different design decisions, planned maintenance intervals, or supply chain constraints.