Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

June 2020

Archive

Special Focus: Process Optimization

Maximizing diesel hydrotreater profit by multivariable optimization: A case study
Haldor Topsoe: R. Bandyopadhyay  |  Alkilde, O. F.

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.

Best practices for aromatics extractive distillation in integrated complexes
Sulzer GTC Technology: Liu, Z.  |  Wang, Y.  |  Zhao, L.

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.

Intensification of sulfur processing units by oxygen enrichment and process flowsheet optimization
Hyundai Oilbank Co. Ltd.: Yang, W.
Advisian, a Worley Company: Lewis, J.  |  Racz, A.

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

Steam generator in a hydrocracker high-pressure loop—why not?
Fluor: Verges, A. N.  |  Omota, F.  |  Oude, J. E.

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

Piping and instrument diagrams (P&IDs): Part 2—Causes and management of change
Process Engineering Consultant: Shah B.

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 enhancement study for crude oil distillation process
Tüpraş: Şanli, H. Ç.  |  Er, B.

Base layer control is one of the most important stages of a process control system hierarchy for refinery applications.

Improve the safety and efficiency of natural gas sweetening units
Endress+Hauser: Thomas, M.  |  Sreekumar, P.

After natural gas is extracted from onshore and offshore sites, it must be transported and processed.

Environment and Safety

Fit-for-purpose fireproofing envelopes
Bechtel India Pvt Ltd.: Biradar, B.  |  Agarwal, A.

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

Advanced cooling tower water treatment—Part 1
ChemTreat: Post, R.  |  Kalakodimi, R. P.  |  Buecker, B.

Refineries, petrochemical plants and similar facilities rely on a significant number of heat exchangers for process control and product formulation throughout the plant.

Columns

Editorial Comment: Optimization: The basis of advancing the HPI
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

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?

Reliability: Don’t expect “yes” from someone authorized to say “no”
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Our lead case revolves around a comprehensive text on oil mist. It was issued in 1998 with a dust cover showing three oil cans.

Project Management: Four tips for navigating a shutdown, turnaround or outage successfully
Prometheus Group: Veen, M.

In the oil and gas sector, managing a shutdown, turnaround, or even an outage is an unavoidable requirement.

Inspection: Establish an inspection plan for flare burners
Ruwais: Anwer, A.

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

Executive Viewpoint: How to develop a successful asset management strategy during the coronavirus downturn
T.A. Cook Consultants Inc.: Hess, F. U.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted all sectors of the oil and gas industry, including asset management.

Industry Perspectives: Our readers’ mindset while working from home
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

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.

Business Trends: Managing risk and uncertainty: The importance of optimizing your value chain
AVEVA: McMullen, J

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.

Industry Metrics
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

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.

Global Project Data
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

<i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> Construction Boxscore Database is tracking nearly 1,600 projects around the world.

Construction
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

A JV between Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons and Marathon Oil plans to build a modular refinery on Bioko Island.

Innovations
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

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.

People
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

The Marathon Petroleum Corp. board of directors has elected John P. Surma to serve as non-executive Chairman.