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

Information Systems

Innovations

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Blume, Adrienne

Pepperl+Fuchs’ VisuNet RM Shell 4.0 remote monitor firmware for industrial thin client work stations offers significant enhancements through an optimized touchscreen user interface, advanced security features, Windows Embedded Standard 7 and plug-and-play startup capabilities.

Optimize alkylation unit operation by using response surface methods

Valero Energy Corp.: Bird, J.  |  Seillier, D.  |  Teders, M.  |  Jacobson, G.

A new methodology can be used to optimize the operations of an alkylation unit based on response surface methods.

HP Automation Strategies: A portfolio approach to operations IT solutions management

ARC Advisory Group: Cosman, E. C.

The need for more automated and efficient operations has led end users to accumulate large and increasingly complex collections of operations-related information technology (IT) solutions.

HP Innovations

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Blume, Adrienne

The FM-approved FireChek thermal shutoff valve with resettable memory shape alloy can now be used to automatically shut down a pneumatic control system when a nearby fire occurs, or when the ambient temperature reaches 135°F, 150°F or 165°F.

Effectively track personnel in hazardous environments

Tata Consultancy Services: Sur, S.

This article describes the strengths and weaknesses of various tracking technologies and their efficacy in a metallic equipment environment.

Use dynamic simulation to increase reliability of hydrogen generation

Technip India Ltd.: Prasad, M. K. E.  |  Ethakota, M.  |  Agarwal, P.  |  Marathe, M.

Through this plant study, a licensor demonstrates effective use of rigorous dynamic simulation tools to implement the new control schemes and configurations.

Improve refinery margins with new crude selection concept

Statoil Refining Denmark: Knudsen, P. U.
Frontline Systems, Inc.: Maleki, S.

A refinery with an active crude selection strategy encompassing dedicated staff, preapproval of all new crudes and an updated crude acceptance window can gain $0.5/bbl–$1/bbl vs. a more passive strategy.

Maintaining gas system accuracy and reliability through calibration

AURA Gas Controls: Dickerson, D.

In the process industries, laser-based analytical techniques have emerged as a popular method of examining process line samples because of their high level of durability, fast response time and minimal maintenance requirements.

HP Automation Strategies: APC technology adapts quickly to economic changes

AspenTech: Singh, T.

With significant fluctuations in feedstock and energy prices, making economic changes quickly is vital to capitalize on the most profitable assets.

HP Automation Safety: Ensure the safety and security of industrial control systems

ARC Advisory Group: Cosman, E. C.

Process safety and cyber security are distinctly different disciplines, but there is now a growing realization within the downstream automation sector that they are related.