June 2004

Archive

Special Report: Process/Plant Optimization

Use extractive distillation to simplify petrochemical processes
Kumar, S., Consultant; Gentry, J. C., Wright-Wytcherley, R., GTC Technology US, LLC

Advances in solvent technology enable using extraction methods to separate close boiling point compounds cost-effectively

Optimize short-term refinery scheduling

Constraints, different mathematical programming techniques and integrating scheduling subsystems must be considered

Implementing expert online operator advisors
Kern, A.G., Tesoro Corp.

Follow these guidelines for successful projects

New challenges confront ethylene furnace designers

New advancements in coil and furnace design now overcome size and environmental obstacles for mega-sized ethylene furnaces

Assessing profitability of real-time optimization
Beautyman, A. C., AspenTech

Perform these pre- and post-project audits

Special Report: Process Control and Information Systems

Improve processing of 'opportunity crudes'
Green, K., Baker Petrolite Engineered Solutions Group

Consider these options to minimize adverse impacts when upgrading low-priced crudes

Extra Report: Laboratory and Online Analyzers

Automate halogen and sulfur detection in hydrocarbons
Brooks, R., Manahan, M., Cosa Intruments Corp.; Chassaniol, K., Dionex Corp

New instrumentation methodology makes this analysis quick and simple

Use automated quality assurance measurements for process analyzers

A gasoline blend unit minimized octane loss, increased blend capacity, lowered costs for maintaining systems and enhanced its ability to capture market opportunities

Consider MRA for online analysis
Lough, V., Invensys Process MRA

This new technique uses radio frequencies to do quantitative evaluations on hydrocarbon streams

Engineering Case Histories

Case 21: Analyzing a spline failure
Sofronas, A., Consulting Engineer

Torsional spline failures are telling you something

Maintenance

Reduce inventory by eliminating multiple parts codes
Iyer, K. R., Reliance Industries Ltd.

Here's how they are generated and how to eliminate them

Columns

HP Control: Perspectives on ANSI/ISA 84.00.01-2004 (IEC61511): an emerging international consensus standard
Summers, A., SIS-Tech Solutions, LLC

The ISA Standards & Practices' Committee Guide states that its ?purpose is to gather and integrate all pertinent technical information . . . in order to develop the best possible consensus standard.? ..

HP Reliability: Setting up your spare parts program
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

A very competent reliability professional recently sent us an interesting note on the topic of spare parts. He's not alone in explaining that his company continues to have issues with its spare parts ..

HP Integration Strategies: Look for enhanced process safety functions
Ghosh, A., HP Editorial Staff

Since the publication of the IEC 61508 safety standard and, more recently, the IEC 61511 standard for process safety, interest in rigorous safety analysis and applying certified safety instrumented sy..

HPIn Europe: Uncertainty over Sibneft grows
Pitt, R., European Refining & Marketing

According to analysts in Moscow, the French Total SA has been given prior approval to buy 25% of Sibneft's shares from Russian authorities. Seemingly, the government is interested in ?continental Euro..

Industry Developments

Gas Processes The demand for natural gas (NG) continues to increase and, in some cases, exceeds available supply. Thus, producers are expanding all opportunities to bring more NG to consuming market..

HP Innovations
Kane, L., Romanow, Stephany, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Accurate corrosion detection for pipes An innovative nondestructive measurement solution for determining levels of corrosion/ erosion and surface defects in ferrous and nonferrous pipes has been dev..

New Developments
Kane, L., Romanow, Stephany, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Combined condition monitoring and oil mist system A program to jointly install Bently Nevada's Trendmaster condition monitoring product and LSC's LubriMist oil mist system offers these combined tech..

HP Construction: North America
Jackson, Kim M., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Sempra Energy LNG is developing and constructing a new $600 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal near Port Arthur, Texas. The facility will be able to process 1.5 billion ft3 /day of..

HP Construction: Europe
Jackson, Kim M., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

GE Energy is supplying a gas turbine-generator to ERG Raffinerie Mediterranee SRL, ERG Group. It will be installed at a power plant located in ERG's oil refinery in Priolo Gargallo, near Siracusa, Sic..

HP Construction: Middle East
Jackson, Kim M., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

   Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd. (FWEL), a Foster Wheeler Ltd. subsidiary, has a contract with Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Co. Ltd. (SAMREF). FWEL is proceeding with detailed engineering, ..

HP Construction: Asia-Pacific
Jackson, Kim M., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

   CB&I has a lump-sum turnkey contract, valued in excess of $60 million, to design and construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility for Marathon Oil Co. on Bioko Island in ..

HP In Brief: HPInBrief
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

  Global shifts in instrumentation demand While the world..

HP Impact: Complex US gasoline market to experience 'pivotal year'
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The US is one of the largest and most complicated gasoline markets. New gasoline specifications have substantially removed flexibility to produce transportation fuels for this market. Analysts with De..

HP Impact: EU chemicals: global production share 'at risk'
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

To secure Europe's long-term competitiveness in the chemicals arena, decisive action is required from both industry and governmental authorities, says a new perspective from Cefic (www.cefic.org). I..

HP Impact: Solutions slowly emerge as sulfur surplus rises
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Growing stockpiles of sulfur at global refineries, emerging transportation and logistical challenges, and static demand from traditional markets are vexing energy companies. Consequently, producers ar..

HP Impact: First CAD search system based on 3D shapes
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Computer-aided design (CAD) systems are routinely used in the HPI to design everything from pipe routes to water pumps. Once CAD information has been created and used, it is often stored and forgotten..

HP Impact: LNG: future options for North America
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

US demand for natural gas (NG) is rising, being strongly driven by the electrical power generation market. Yet, NG supply from the Lower 48 states is stalling, and imports from Canada are leveling off..

HP Impact: Standardized design practices reduce project man-hours
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

As operating companies and EPCs weathered the downturns and mergers of the past two decades, they have not been able to devote resources to keep their internal specifications updated or to follow the ..

HP Impact: US needs to increase gasoline supply, not raise taxes, says Rep
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

As gas prices continue to skyrocket, some in the US Senate have suggested that increasing gas taxes by 50 cents, and raising corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards would bring an end to the n..

HP Impact: Miscellany of note from the NPRA
Weirauch, Wendy, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Twenty-seven National Petroleum & Refiners Association (NPRA) member facilities worked a full year in 2003 without a recordable incident. This is up from 23 facilities in 2002. Data for the Injur..

Misc

Free Literature
Kane, L., Romanow, Stephany, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Alternatives for upgrading treatment equipment USFilter Davco Products' new brochure illustrates its retrofit and reconditioning capabilities. Graphics and text present alternatives for upgrading o..