Special Focus: Process Control and Instrumentation

Optimizing ethylene production with laser technology
Gogates, A., Gunnell, J., Emerson Automation Solutions

Ethylene is one of the most valuable organic compound building blocks in the world.

The next generation of advanced process control
Kern, A., APC Performance LLC; Andrew, Bob, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

In this article, Hydrocarbon Processing provides published references on model-based control, and contributing author Allan Kern presents his views on model-less control.

Conceptual troubleshooting training for refinery operators
Averill, W., Visual Performance Solutions, Inc.

Throughout the refining industry, the average number of years of experience for console operators is decreasing, as large numbers of very experienced console operators are retiring.

Process Optimization

Optimize a refinery H2 network using spreadsheet tools
Salgado, H., Ecopetrol

One of the major goals in every refining complex is to minimize the utilization of its hydrogen (H2) generation units by maximizing the H2 recovery from residual streams.

HF alkylation conversion is finally within reach—Part 2

In Part 1 of this two-part series, recent technology developments to convert hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation to sulfuric acid alkylation were discussed.

Regional Report

Diversification: The catalyst for the Middle East’s downstream transformation
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Over the past several years, the Middle East has made substantial investments to increase its downstream processing capacity.

Maintenance and Reliability

Troubleshooting the repetitive failure and shaft seizure of a hot oil circulation pump

The Shaybah NGL recovery plant has a single-stage, double-suction between bearings, radial-split design for hot oil circulation.

Minimize engineering errors with competency and proper engineering review
Tharakan, J., Suncor Energy Inc.

Industry has seen numerous engineering errors during the commissioning phase of projects.

Heat Transfer

Ensure uniformity of air preheater flow to obtain maximum heat transfer efficiency
Badshahwala, M., Patil, R., Gupta, A., Reliance Industries Ltd.

Uniform flow distribution inside process equipment is desirable for maximizing performance.

New burner structure targets significant NOx reduction
Colannino, J., ClearSign Combustion Corp.

Delek US comprises both refining and logistic segments.

Environment and Safety

Design atmospheric aboveground storage tanks for accident prevention
Zardynezhad, S., TurboTech Consulting Corp.

The design and construction of oil, gas and petrochemical facilities is continuously improving, as increasing compliance with ever-changing codes and standards, such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is resulting in fewer atmospheric above-ground storage tank (AAST) accidents.

Turn to open-path laser detectors for HF gas safety
Dean, K., MSA Senscient

Process engineers at a refinery in one of the Rocky Mountain states were concerned about detecting the potential accidental release of hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas at their plant as part of a recent series of upgrades to the facility.

Columns

Editorial Comment: HP Top Project Awards 2017
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

It’s that time again! Hydrocarbon Processing has announced the nominees for its annual Top Project awards.

Reliability: Technology transfer training is most effective for small groups
Bloch, Heinz P., Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Training can take many different forms.

Automation Strategies: Expanding scope of automation events and alerts
Cosman, E. C., ARC Advisory Group

Detecting, reporting and responding to abnormal situations or events are important functional elements of a complete process automation strategy.

Engineering Case Histories: Case 98—Why performing calculations is important to an engineer’s career
Sofronas, A., Consulting Engineer

Engineering calculations can help an engineer’s career by controlling the risks taken. The author has followed this path.

Petrochemicals: A global look at the chlorinated paraffins market
Peerzade, E., Allied Market Research

With the rise in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry, the chlorinated paraffins market has also been growing since it acts as secondary plasticizers in PVC.

Supply Chain: Integration—The next frontier in supply chain and production management
McDowell, D., Dey, S., Honeywell

Hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) companies have long used different applications to address their supply chain production management (SCPM) challenges.

Roundtable: The reality of process safety risk
Cline, G., Keim, K., Aberdeen Group; Neill, M., Petrotechnics North America; Thomas, J., Process Improvement Institute

Unavoidably, process safety risks are often managed in different parts of an organization.

Viewpoint: Finding value in the age of smart control
Martin, P., Schneider Electric

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is vastly transforming how manufacturing and process plants conduct their daily operations.

Industry Perspectives: What is the future of the global HPI?
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Over the past year, the world has witnessed significant downstream capacity growth in all sectors of the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI).

Business Trends: Smart refineries—Leveraging data for operational intelligence
Agrawal, M. D., Morawala, A., Tata Consultancy Services

In the highly competitive, capital- and asset-intensive oil and gas industry, demand is growing for the implementation of information technology (IT) practices covering the following functional requirements.

Industry Metrics
Rhodes, Mike, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

US product crack spreads surged amid refinery outages as Hurricane Harvey affected US Gulf Coast (USGC) refinery operations.

Global Project Data
Nichols, Lee, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

Hydrocarbon Processing’s Construction Boxscore Database is tracking more than 1,700 active downstream construction projects around the world.

Show Preview: ADIPEC
Blume, Adrienne, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

The 20th edition of Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) will take place 13–16 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Innovations
Andrew, Bob, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

At the beginning of 2017, Lewa GmbH commissioned its newly designed process pump testing room.

People
Rhodes, Mike, Hydrocarbon Processing Staff

EnLink Midstream has named Rhonda L. Price to succeed Jennifer K. Johnson as Senior VP of human resources.