June 2020
Special Focus: Process Optimization
A diesel hydrotreater (DHT) is a critical unit within an oil refinery. A DHT processes the diesel range fractions obtained from different units of the refinery—such as from the crude distillation unit and the delayed coker unit—to adhere to diesel fuel market specifications.
Integrated refining/aromatics/olefins complexes are an efficient and effective configuration to maximize crude oil feedstock value and optimize the value of the entire product chain.
The consistent global trend toward improvements in air quality and tighter regulations on emissions, as well as the International Maritime Organization’s shipping regulations, continue to mitigate sulfur levels—not only in conventional transport fuels (petrol and diesel), but also in jet fuels, fuel oils and other heavier distillates.
Heat Transfer
Historically, there has been a perception in the industry that it is not safe to include a steam generator in the high-pressure loop of a hydrocracker.
Process Engineering
It is difficult to categorize or group the many reasons for routine or late changes to a P&ID. Some causes are listed here.
Process Controls, Instrumentation and Automation
Base layer control is one of the most important stages of a process control system hierarchy for refinery applications.
After natural gas is extracted from onshore and offshore sites, it must be transported and processed.
Environment and Safety
Although widely used, the term “fireproofing” is misleading as almost nothing can be made totally safe from the effects of fire. Fireproofing refers to the systematic process (including materials and the application of materials) that provides a degree of fire resistance for protected support structures.
Water Management
Refineries, petrochemical plants and similar facilities rely on a significant number of heat exchangers for process control and product formulation throughout the plant.
Columns
Optimization: the action of making the best or most effective use of a situation or resource. How often have you heard or used the term “optimization” in your daily work?
Our lead case revolves around a comprehensive text on oil mist. It was issued in 1998 with a dust cover showing three oil cans.
In the oil and gas sector, managing a shutdown, turnaround, or even an outage is an unavoidable requirement.
Flares are prominent in hydrocarbon processing operations. From afar, they can be spotted burning with a high or low flame, supported by a tall steel structure
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted all sectors of the oil and gas industry, including asset management.
Trends and Resources
In the May issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing's</i>, the editors proposed a two-part question to gauge how our readers were adjusting to “working-from-home” initiatives put in place due to the COVID-19 virus.
No doubt exists that COVID-19 is disrupting the oil and gas industry. Oil prices are falling, demand is down, supply is up, and storage capacity is limited. In these difficult times, the industry must swiftly act to keep business viable to come back strong when conditions improve.
Refinery margins in the U.S. Atlantic basin rebounded. Deeper refinery intake cuts, as well as the low feedstock price environment, helped offset unappealing demand-side signals.
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database is tracking nearly 1,600 projects around the world.
A JV between Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons and Marathon Oil plans to build a modular refinery on Bioko Island.
Sphera has released a new Interactive piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) solution that helps organizations break down silos between their operations, maintenance and engineering departments while simplifying isolation planning.
The Marathon Petroleum Corp. board of directors has elected John P. Surma to serve as non-executive Chairman.
- Sealmatic partners with Saudi Thalate in Saudi Arabia 10/14
- Colonial Oil Industries Marine Division achieves ISCC Plus and EU certifications 10/14
- Fulkrum diversifies its service portfolio with new offerings 10/14
- Kinaxis, ExxonMobil partner to transform energy sector supply chains 10/14
- Phillips 66 agrees to sell interest in Switzerland-based joint venture 10/14
- Nigeria signs deal to supply gas to proposed $3.5-B petrochemical plant 10/14