Maintenance & Reliability
Japan's Eneos shuts 153,000-bpd Negishi CDU for maintenance
Japan's biggest refiner, Eneos Corp., shut the 153,000-bpd crude distillation unit (CDU) at its Negishi refinery near Tokyo on Sept. 9 for scheduled maintenance.
Russia's Yaroslavl refinery FCCU shut for 2-weeks unplanned maintenance
Russia's Yaroslavl oil refinery (YANOS) operated by Slavneft, a subsidiary of Rosneft and Gazprom neft, has shut its gasoline-producing fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) for unplanned maintenance expected to last two weeks.
AIChE and IChemE sign MoU to strengthen international STEM talent pool
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)—two professional societies dedicated to advancing the application of chemical engineering expertise internationally—have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further collaboration for the benefit of chemical and process engineering and society as a whole.
Russia's September western port oil loadings to rise 1.5% m/m despite seasonal refinery maintenance
Russia will increase oil exports via its western ports to 1.98 MMbpd in September, up by just 30,000 bpd from August, despite the expected start of seasonal maintenance on Russian refineries.
Shell to leverage proprietary structural performance management software for various facilities
Under this agreement, Shell will leverage Akselos’ Structural Performance Management (SPM) software to monitor the structural health of critical assets across the Shell portfolio in near real-time. Akselos’ SPM software will help enable Shell to optimize the lifecycle of critical assets safely and sustainably.
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
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.
Case study: Developing mildew-resistant coatings on ethanol tanks
Scientists from the authors’ company determined how best to combat persistent black mildew on aboveground storage tanks by first using a novel strategy to identify it. This discovery led to the identification of coating formulations with superior capacity to prevent mildew growth. The scientists proved the performance of the coatings by conducting field tests involving painting sample patches onto an ethanol storage tank.
Refinery/petrochemical makeup water treatment: A general guide for technical personnel—Part 1
New personnel are often confronted with challenges that require knowledgeable and quick action, which they may have difficulty providing without thorough training. A very important—and sometimes overlooked—unit operation within these facilities is makeup water treatment for steam generators and other processes. Many cases have been documented in which makeup system upsets have led to boiler tube failures that partially or completely shut down unit processes. Parts 1 and 2 (September 2024) of this article serve as a guide for those employees who may be on a steep learning curve when it comes to makeup system understanding.
Zero liquid discharge: A stepping stone to water sustainability—Part 1
Among the available technologies of wastewater treatment to recover reusable water, zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) has become the most frequently used term in oil and gas refineries and petrochemical plants. It has been effectively used in the treatment of brine to maximize the recovery of freshwater or recycled water and to recover salt and other chemicals that are used in other industries.
- Indonesia expects EU to adjust palm oil biofuel stance after EU ruling 1/17
- First-ever ammonia and propane co-loaded vessel completes voyage from U.S. to Europe 1/17
- China's vast refining sector faces shakeout as fuel demand peaks 1/17
- Oman Oil Marketing Co. and TFG Marine establish bunker fuel supply JV 1/17
- Beware Egypt's smokestack onshoring as cement exports surge 1/17
- Petrobras reports record high refinery output in 2024 1/17
