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

Refining

Qatar in talks on possible purchase of Rosneft stake in German refinery

Qatar is in talks with the German government over possibly buying Russian energy group Rosneft's stake in Germany's PCK Schwedt refinery, which Berlin placed under trusteeship following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. crude, gasoline stockpiles fall on stronger demand

U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories fell last week as demand picked up ahead of Labor Day weekend and the end of the summer driving season.

ADNOC deploys pioneering AI-enabled process optimization technology

Following successful initial operations, ADNOC announced the deployment of an industry leading artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled process optimization technology--Neuron 5--across all ADNOC facilities across thousands of critical pieces of equipment essential for production, including compressors, valves and generators.

Validate skin temperature in refractory-lined pipes using manual calculation vs. FEA analysis

Black Cat Consulting & Engineering Services W.L.L.: Nelluri, V.

Accurately estimating skin temperature and understanding the impact of refractory lining on thermal performance are crucial aspects of piping system design, operation and maintenance. By recognizing the multifaceted role of refractory lining in enhancing operational efficiency, mitigating risks and extending the lifespan of industrial piping systems, industries can optimize their processes and ensure the reliability and safety of their infrastructure. 

Utilizing pilot plant operations for new chemical process technology development: A roadmap to scale up success and commercial plant safety

AVN Corp.: Clark, B.  |  Nunley, M.  |  Phillips, G.

To demonstrate a new chemical process technology (flowsheet, raw materials, product) or improve an existing one, pilot plants are designed and operated at a scale between laboratory benchtop and commercial scale—often with specific goals for operability, product quality, economics and process safety. Identifying where potential safety, technical risks or uncertainties may occur is always a key goal in evaluating a new process.

How important is connected pipework to PSVs?

Worley India Pvt. Ltd.: Prabhu, V.

The purpose of this article is to explain additional process considerations for pipework connected to PSVs, such as isolation valves, layout, orientation, forces and moments. 

Review steam system designs to accelerate chemical industry decarbonization

Bechtel India: Singh, R. B.

Industrial steam systems range from simple systems comprising a low-pressure single steam user to a complex system with multiple pressure levels, multiple generators and multiple users integrated with an onsite cogeneration facility. This article will present the typical CO2 emissions estimates for chemical and petrochemical facilities and describe options available to reduce these emissions through additional heat integration, fuel switching, and the use of heat pumps and electric boilers. 

The attractive market opportunity for synthetic graphite: Graphite as an energy transition material (4)

Chevron Lummus Global: Antoniou, M.  |  Manral, V.  |  Magdoza, K.
Evalueserve: Suri, V.

Given the attractive demand projection, investors must understand the benefits and return on investment for natural and synthetic graphite routes. This article establishes the pros and cons for each, and specifically highlights the emerging opportunity for upgrading and repurposing smaller petcoke units to needle coke units, therefore contributing to fulfilling the rising demand for synthetic graphite.

Utilize a hydrogen reactions lab to optimize renewable fuels processing

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: Lebrecht, T.  |  Duhamel, D.

Leading technology developers in the refining space are utilizing various catalysts to enhance the adjusted reaction chemistry, but this does not directly address how to optimize hydrogen utilization for the hydrodeoxygenation and isomerization/cracking processing steps. To ensure the right equipment outlay and calibration for these hydrogenation applications, replicating the process in a lab setting can help identify efficiencies and yield improvements for a fraction of the cost that a refiner would incur attempting to achieve that optimization through modifications at commercial scale. 

Meet gasoline quality and process safety requirements through new alkylation technologies

Petrobras: Da Silva, M. W.

The catalytic alkylation process is very attractive to countries with high gasoline consumption and a sizable availability of LPG. This process can produce high-octane gasoline with low levels of contaminants, although there are high capital investment and operational costs associated with this technology.