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

September 2016

Archive

Special Focus: Refining Technology Developments

Case study: Plan and execute a coke drum replacement project
Phillips 66: Johnson, B.
Wood Group Mustang: Farris, M.

The delayed coking unit is a critical part of a refinery’s crude oil process flow and profitability.

Reduce industrial energy bills through improved combustion control
MOL Group: Galambos, L.  |  Stefán, F.  |  Kovács, I.

The last few years have been an extremely challenging period for the oil industry due to the adverse global economic environment and the impact of unfavorable external factors.

Improve refinery profitability by processing low-value streams in a diesel hydrotreater
Corporate Research and Development Center, Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.: Dhar, P. K.  |  Rao, G. S.  |  Bennet, C.  |  Rao, P. V. C.  |  Choudary, N. V.  |  Valavarasu, G.
Visakhapatnam refinery, Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.: Madhav, G. V.  |  Naidu, A. T.  |  SriGanesh, G.

Global demand for middle distillates, especially diesel, is increasing.

Process Engineering and Optimization

Unlock next-level hydrocracker flexibility in today’s turbulent markets
Shell Global Solutions International BV: Baric, J.
Hyundai Oilbank Daesan refinery: Kang, D.-H.
Grupa LOTOS Gdańsk refinery: Orzeszko, G.

As a critical catalytic conversion unit, the hydrocracker provides refiners with valuable feedstock and product slate flexibility.

Maintenance and Reliability

Identify and correct coke drum foundation bolt failures
Suncor Energy Inc.: Tharakan, J.

Coke drums in many operating plants experience foundation bolt failures.

Design operations-and-maintenance-friendly pressure vessels—Part 2
The Augustus Group: Murti, D. G.

In Part 1 of this article, the assistance provided by standardizations to gain improved vessel performance—vessel outer diameter (OD), component metallurgies, manways and saddles—was discussed.

Environment and Safety

Review of the CSB report on the 2010 Tesoro refinery fire
PetroTech Consultants: McGovern, S. J.

On April 2, 2010, a catastrophic fire occurred within the naphtha hydrotreating unit in the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. The final CSB report, including recommendations, was issued in May 2014, more than four years after the incident that resulted in the tragic loss of seven lives. This work critically reviews the CSB analysis of this incident and several of its resulting recommendations.

Prospective costs of the EPA’s proposed RMP chemical accident prevention requirements
Vinson & Elkins LLP: Wilkinson, G.  |  Pullins, T.  |  Snow, C.

On March 14, 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed revisions to its Risk Management Plan (RMP) facility safety program in the US Federal Register.

Columns

Editorial Comment: Refining overcapacity—will the trend continue?
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

In September 2015, the Editorial Comment centered on the theme of overcapacity.

Reliability: Consider amended warranties for rotating equipment
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

If you have ever encountered a situation where an equipment manufacturer declined to offer warranties, allow us to share three case histories.

Project Management: Want your plant to work right? Insist on strong project definition
IPA Capital Solutions: Barshop, P.

Project definition is the planning of a project before execution, which begins when engineering is completed, equipment and materials are purchased, and construction of the new or modified plant is performed.

Engineering Case Histories: Case 92: The danger of pneumatic testing complacency
Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

With proper safety, planning and implementation, pneumatic testing of piping and vessels has been performed successfully for many years.

Viewpoint: Improved design practices can aid environment, energy transitions
Axens: Sentenac, J.

During the first months of 2016, perspectives for a stabilizing oil market were being confirmed.

Viewpoint: The politicalization of the SEC—A dangerous precedent
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM): Thompson, C.

The benefits of fossil fuels are undeniable.

Industry Perspectives: GasPro Americas to highlight natural gas industry developments

In mid-September, <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> and <i>Gas Processing</i> will hold their second annual Gas Processing Americas (GasPro) Conference at the Norris Conference Center—CityCenter in Houston, Texas.

Business Trends: Global refining overview—Part 1
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

The outlook of an industry can change dramatically in a short period of time. This series will examine the global refining sector in depth—where it stands, and where it is going.

Industry Metrics
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

European refining margins rose as refineries completed maintenance and recovered from the negative impact of the France strikes.

Global Project Data
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

This special installment of Global Project Data focuses on the global refining sector.

Innovations
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Andrew, Bob

Petron Bataan Refinery (PBR) is the largest integrated crude oil refinery and petrochemicals complex in the Philippines.

People
Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Rhodes, Mike

Honeywell UOP president and CEO Rebecca Liebert has been named by Profiles in Diversity Journal as a winner of its 15th annual Women Worth Watching Awards.