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

Machado e Silva, C. F. P.

Petrobras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Carlos Fernando Pinto Machado E Silva began working at Petrobras in 2003 as a processing engineer, and has since gained extensive experience in various refining processes in the areas of operation, optimization, engineering projects and scientific research. In 2015, he helped set up a study group on oil geopolitics at the Brazilian Defense Ministry’s School of War. In 2016, he completed his doctorate in the area of chemical process technology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Throughout his 19-yr career, Dr. Machado has published several articles in technical journals. He has also been a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) since 2010. Dr. Machado earned a BS degree in chemical engineering and an MS degree in organic chemistry at the UFRJ.

Brazilian developments in the biofuels market

Since the 1970s, Brazil has been a world reference in automotive biofuels, especially bioethanol produced from sugarcane. In 1973, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) forced a sharp rise in oil prices, triggering a massive slowdown in the country’s economic growth, which had been going through what was dubbed the “economic miracle,” with growth at an average of 12% of GDP. This study gives an overview of the biofuel sector in Brazil, along with the main business challenges and opportunities in this area.

Optimize steam usage in refinery flares

In this study, methods to optimize the consumption of dispersion steam in flares were examined at a large refinery that burns a considerable quantity of gas. The desired optimization was achieved by monitoring hydrocarbon emissions using an infrared camera (thermography).

  • 1
  • ... 1 pages