January 2021

Archive

Special Focus: Sustainability

Ras Tanura: The creation of a clean-fuels complex

The primary objective of the Ras Tanura Refinery Clean Fuels Project is to enable the Ras Tanura refinery—the largest refinery in Saudi Arabia—to produce transportation fuels that will be compliant with future specifications.

FCC NOx reduction methods: Complying with regulations without capital investment
Hobbins, P., Placid Refining Co.; Blair, H., Hochheiser, T., Johnson Matthey

As fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions regulations become increasingly strict, refiners are driven to find the most economic compliance option.

Cyclic distillation: A novel enhanced technology for processing hydrocarbons and derivatives
Kiss, A. A., University of Manchester; Maleta, V. N., Maleta Cyclic Distillation LLC; Shevchenko, A., Bedryk, O., National University of Food Technologies

Distillation is the most widespread separation method in history.

Hydrocarbons face toughest challenge yet
Ketelaars, F., DNV GL Oil and Gas

Over the next 30 yr, the globe’s energy ecosystem—where fossil fuels dominate and renewables play catch-up—will evolve exponentially, as efforts intensify to curb carbon emissions and mitigate the detrimental impact of climate change.

Process Optimization

Search for advanced technique of desalter control—TON control for interface level
Mandal, K. K., Nayara Energy Ltd.

While it may seem like a simple vessel, the desalter is a critical section in a crude distillation unit.

Optimize processes with a spreadsheet
Colannino, J., Contributing Editor

Hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI)/continuous process improvement (CPI) processes are often characterized by complicated kinetics and simultaneous heat and mass transfer.

Heat Transfer

Selection and comparison of thermic fluids in a fired heater
Karre, A. V., Worley Group Inc.; Valsaraj, K. T., Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University

Hot oil, also called thermic fluid, is a heat transfer fluid (HTF) used in oil refineries and chemical plants.

Stop oxidation and scale growth with high-emissivity coating
Poth, J., Integrated Global Services

Oxidation of external tube surfaces is responsible for metal loss at around 0.25 mm/yr, which limits tube life.

Valves, Pumps and Turbomachinery

Resolving a chronic water injection pump high vibration through a shaft-lifting technique

This article explores the investigation into the chronic high vibration issues of a particular water injection pump.

Modular reed valve technology for reciprocating compressors
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Hydrocarbon processing plants use reciprocating compressors for process gases in a certain flow and differential pressure range, and double-acting cylinder-piston arrangements are almost always involved.

Process Control, Instrumentation and Automation

How to support condition monitoring with wireless instrumentation networks
Cureton, A., Emerson

When WirelessHART first hit the market in 2008, most of the native devices using it were process measurement instruments.

Maintenance and Reliability

Improving asset utilization by closing the corrosion window
Zurlo, J. A., SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions

Driving profitable refinery operations often requires owner-operators to balance production flexibility and product optimization with asset availability and equipment reliability.

Reasons for vibration issues in boilers and furnaces
Webster, T., XRG Technologies

A conversation with a long-time colleague at an industry trade show inspired me to think about one of the most confounding problems that occur in boilers and furnaces: vibration.

Columns

Editorial Comment: Will 2021 be a rebound year?
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Needless to say, 2020 was an unprecedented year.

Reliability: Viewing every maintenance intervention as an upgrade opportunity
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

When a long-time maintenance supervisor was promoted to the head of his refinery’s reliability department, he wanted to make “Precision Maintenance is Our Passion” his banner and headline.

Safety: Do companies have the right tools to make proactive safety decisions?
Brewer, C., Sphera

A process safety management/operational risk management survey conducted by Sphera in 2020 polled respondents on the following items.

Risk: Escaping the “cyclone market” in downstream energy
Puro, D. H., ProSight

To say that the downstream energy sector is facing a time of unprecedented challenge would be the understatement of the decade.

Valves, Pumps and Turbomachinery: Use the correct lube oil grade to avoid equipment failures
Rathore, A. J. S., Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals & Fertilizers Ltd.

Lubrication is imperative to the performance of rotating equipment.

Corrosion: Address damage caused by galvanic corrosion
Anwer, A., Qureshi, N., Contributing Writer

At petrochemical and refining facilities, it is common for U-clamps over piping runs to become corroded, sometimes to the extent where they are completely thinned out.

Industry Perspectives
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

With the increasing prominence of hydrogen technologies circulating into the global market, Gulf Energy Information—publisher of Hydrocarbon Processing and Gas Processing & LNG—has launched our latest publication: H2Tech.

Business Trends: Case EPC-2020: Increasing competitiveness and profits

Prior to the hardships faced during the global pandemic, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) industry was already facing several challenges.

Global Project Data
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database is tracking nearly 1,400 projects around the world.

Construction
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

TechnipFMC has begun construction on Assiut National Oil Processing Co.’s new hydrocracking complex in Egypt.

Innovations
Rhodes, Mike, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

H2scan has released its latest product in the HY-OPTIMA™ line of sensors.

People

Senior appointment in China strengthens FutureOn’s global footprint