Hydrocarbon Processing Awards Winners
Hydrocarbon Processing, the downstream processing sector’s leading technical publication, has announced the winners for its third annual awards. The HP Awards celebrate innovative technologies and people that have been instrumental in improving facility operations over the past year.
Hydrocarbon Processing, the downstream processing sector’s leading technical publication, has announced the winners for its third annual awards. The HP Awards celebrate innovative technologies and people that have been instrumental in improving facility operations over the past year. The awards cover 17 strategic categories in the hydrocarbon processing industry. Nearly 100 nominations were submitted from more than 20 countries. Each abstract was voted on by an independent Hydrocarbon Processing advisory board. The following is a complete list of the winners in each category. The winners were announced during a black-tie gala at The Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Texas on November 6.
BEST AR/VR/AI TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: AI Operator, Chemtech AI; NuSpace, Imaginate Software Labs Pvt. Ltd.
WINNER: COMPACS System, Dynamics Scientific Production Center USA
The COMPACS system provides an objective real-time monitoring of each machine of an entire process unit. Artificial intelligence generates real-time prescriptions and predictive analytics that identify future malfunctions and defects. This analysis can dramatically reduce accidents and fires, increase uptime of process units and provide reasonable maintenance costs.
BEST ASSET MONITORING TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Stingray Online Tank Inspection System, Diakont; Salus, Smith and Burgess Process Safety Consultants
WINNER: Mtell®, Aspentech
Aspen Mtell® delivers the earliest, most accurate warning of equipment failures and prescribes detailed actions to mitigate or solve problems. Using machine learning, Aspen Mtell can recognize precise patterns in operating data that indicate degradation and impending failure—well before it happens.
BEST CATALYST TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Celestia™, ExxonMobil/Albemarle; Ionikylation, Well Resources Inc.
WINNER: Valor™, BASF
Valor™ is a next-generation fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst technology designed to enhance the performance of FCC catalysts processing heavy residuum oil feedstock. Refineries using Valor™ technology in their FCC units achieved catalyst activity retention with lower hydrogen and coke yields. This new catalyst achieves efficient passivation of vanadium with increased tolerance against sulfur, effectively enabling refiners to increase resid processing without sacrificing conversion or product yields.
DIGITALIZATION—BEST DIGITAL TWIN/OPERATOR TRAINING TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Honeywell Forge for Industrial, Honeywell Process Solutions; Operational Risk Management software, SPHERA
WINNER: ROMeo Process Optimization, AVEVA
Rigorous Online Modeling with Equation-based Optimization (ROMeo) is a digital twin for operations and planning activities that uses real-time process and economic data to determine set points that guarantee maximum operating profit, while satisfying all regulatory requirements. Plant processes are digitally represented with well-defined, first principle models, which provide the basis for simulation, data reconciliation and optimization in real time.
DIGITALIZATION—BEST PROCESS/PLANT OPERATIONS OPTIMIZATION TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: DCP Strategy 2.0, DCP Midstream; gPROMS® Digital Applications Platform, Process Systems Enterprise; Integrated Manufacturing Operations Management System, Saudi Aramco
WINNER: Unified Operations Center, AVEVA
The Unified Operations Center empowers the whole team with a centralized view to help make informed decisions. This improves process safety, operational efficiency and profitability. The center is based on a “systems-of-systems” approach, which includes plug-in and integrated apps, analytics, closed-circuit television, GIS maps, ERP systems, engineering piping and instrumentation diagrams, etc. The Unified Operations Center integrates these aspects, departments and sites under one platform.
DIGITALIZATION—BEST SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Digital Terminal, Atomiton; Polarion®, Siemens
WINNER: Secure Media Exchange, Honeywell Process Solutions
This technology provides a new type of cybersecurity defense layer for industrial companies, protecting critical systems against threats introduced by universal serial bus (USB) devices. The software not only watches for and controls malware on USBs, but also helps detect malicious USBs that attempt to take advantage of protocol to perform unauthorized actions.
EPC, LICENSOR, CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR
FINALISTS: S&B Engineers and Constructors, Smith and Burgess Process Safety Consultants
WINNER: McDermott
Within the past year, Lummus Technology joined McDermott. McDermott’s Lummus Technology business offers the most broad, diversified technology portfolio in the marketplace, with more than 120 licensed technologies and 3,100 patents and patent applications. In the past year, Lummus has been awarded more than 80 contracts and reached numerous milestones, including the licensing of the largest PDH unit in the world and the largest CDAlky® unit ever. Being part of the new McDermott allows Lummus Technology to offer complete EPC and modular solutions in addition to the company’s technology portfolio, and allows McDermott to leverage additional regional resources to expand its global footprint.
BEST FLUID FLOW TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Barracuda Virtual Reactor®, CPFD Software; FT4X Thermal Mass Flowmeter, Fox Thermal
WINNER: Cavitation Detection System, Yokogawa Electric Corp.
Pumps used in process and manufacturing plants are often vulnerable to failure from cavitation. In the past, it has been difficult to detect the early signs of cavitation before substantial damage occurs. However, Yokogawa’s new cavitation detection system uses advanced analytics to interpret minute pressure changes stemming from cavitation events, revealing very early cavitation conditions before vibration or noise events are noticed. More importantly, the information can be applied to troubleshoot root causes. This technology enables refiners to save significant amounts of money on maintenance and downtime costs.
BEST GAS PROCESSING/LNG TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Enhanced C2 recovery process by utilizing demethanizer bottom reflux, Saudi Aramco; CYNARA PN-1, Schlumberger; SIDRIVE IQ, Siemens
WINNER: Deep Dewpointing Process, Fluor
Fluor’s cryo-gas technology application is designed for rich, unconventional gas applications (e.g., shale gas) with ethane liquid contents of 6 gpm–12 gpm and feed pressure ranging from 500 psig–900 psig. The process can achieve 95% propane recovery in full ethane rejection mode and can recover 60% ethane in ethane recovery mode. This innovative technology is critical for midstream organizations that need flexibility, performance and capital efficiency in processing rich natural gas.
BEST HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTION
FINALISTS: SMR integration and increased CO2 production—Stage 3, Air Liquide; Building Technology HSSE app, Siemens
WINNER: Process Safety Suite, Honeywell Process Solutions
Most hazard and operability studies and layer of protection analysis documents sit on the shelf until the next revalidation. Honeywell’s Process Safety Suite (PSS) software employs the user’s own risk analyses to create a digital twin for safety. PSS continuously validates the user’s actual performance against the assumptions in the risk analysis, providing insights to all levels of the organization, from the control room to the boardroom.
BEST INSTRUMENT TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: SmartLine® Application and Validation Tool, Honeywell Process Solutions; OndaVia Analysis System, OndaVia, Inc.; Nexis™ SCD-2030, Shimadzu Corp.
WINNER: Rosemount™ 928 Wireless Gas Monitor, Emerson
This wireless gas monitor continuously monitors for the presence of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas in challenging, difficult-to-reach locations, thereby enhancing worker safety through early gas leak detection while eliminating the need for expensive wiring.
BEST PETROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Chlorinated Polyvinylchloride production technology, Reliance Industries Ltd.; Ethylebenzene production technology, Sinopec
WINNER: CDAlky® and Olefins Conversion Technology, McDermott
The company recently expanded two of its technology platforms—CDAlky® and Olefins Conversion Technology (OCT)—to commercialize efficient alkylation of C5s in a novel reactor system or two-stage catalytic conversion of C5s to higher-value propylene employing catalytic distillation and metathesis via OCT. The CDAlky® sulfuric acid alkylation reactor design eliminates mechanical agitation with a unique patented reactor internals design that uses the fluid motive force for efficient mixing at lower temperatures, resulting in less acid consumption and superior alkylate properties. Catalytic distillation plus OCT is a two-stage system that utilizes catalytic distillation to tailor the feed mixture to the metathesis reactor to convert C5 olefins to high-value propylene.
BEST PROCESS CONTROLS/AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: General Dynamic Optimization Technology, Aspentech; Experion® Local Control Network, Honeywell Process Solutions; OpenTAS® Terminal Management System, Implico Group; Process IQ, Schlumberger
WINNER: Catalyst Removal Amphirol (CAROL), Advisian Digital
Advisian Digital, part of the Worley Group, has developed an innovative technology for robotic catalyst removal from refineries and LNG vessels using a remote-operated, screw-propelled vehicle. CAROL helps reduce human risk and turnaround durations. The technology has successfully completed several catalyst removal projects in varying environments, reducing the need to put personnel in harm’s way.
BEST REFINING TECHNOLOGY
FINALISTS: Salus, Smith and Burgess Process Safety Consultants; Ionikylation, Well Resources Inc.
WINNER: IsoAlky™, Honeywell UOP
Honeywell UOP, in partnership with Chevron, has introduced a new alkylation technology that employs ionic liquids as a catalyst to produce high-octane motor fuels. IsoAlky™ liquid alkylation technology uses a non-aqueous liquid salt, or ionic liquid, at temperatures below 100°C to convert a typical stream from an FCC into a high-octane blending component that lowers the environmental impact of motor gasoline. The ionic liquids process can be used in new refineries, as well as in existing facilities undergoing capital expansion.
MOST PROMISING ENGINEER
FINALISTS: Yusuf Ahmed Al-Nafaiei, Bahrain National Gas Co.; Abdulrahman Al-Shammari, Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Co.; Chris Jansen, Advisian Digital; Chris Runneberg, S&B Engineers and Constructors
WINNER: Kathleen Wills, Halliburton
Ms. Wills provides engineering support for Athlon Solutions, a Halliburton Service field sales and service team focusing on corrosion control in refineries, with a major emphasis on crude unit overhead condensing corrosion control. Over the past several years, she has quickly become the go-to person for tough corrosion problems, has been asked to join several refinery corrosion teams as an ad-hoc member, has helped develop monitoring programs and has helped advance the company’s ionic equilibrium modeling technology. She is active in several associations, including the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, where she chairs a subcommittee on crude unit corrosion, and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers.
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
FINALISTS: Jon Camp, Tube Tech International; Albert Rooyakkers, Bedrock Automation
WINNER: Kathleen Eisenbrenner, NextDecade Corp.
Kathleen Eisbrenner was an entrepreneur, visionary and major innovator in the natural gas industry with more than 30 yr of experience and accomplishments in various leadership roles. In 2010, she founded NextDecade LLC, an LNG development company focused on export projects, including Rio Grande LNG. She remained Founder, CEO and Chairman until February 2018, and was still Chairman at the time of her passing in May of 2019. Ms. Eisbrenner was previously the Executive Vice President at Royal Dutch Shell for Shell’s Global LNG strategy, was the Founder and CEO of Excelerate Energy and the Chief Commercial Officer at El Paso Global LNG. She held a BS degree in civil engineering from the University of Notre Dame and participated in the Harvard Business School Strategic Marketing Management Program.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
FINALISTS: Harold Eggert, Halliburton; Michael Stilley, S&B Engineers and Constructors
WINNERS: James Sorokes, Siemens; Pinti Wang, Sulzer GTC Technology
Mr. Sorokes will soon celebrate 43 yr with Dresser-Rand (now Siemens GP Oil and Gas). His outstanding contributions to compressor aerodynamics, radial compressor design and testing are widely recognized throughout the industry. His long-standing professional association with the company, publication in industry journals and periodicals and participation as an instructor in several short courses have established him as a world-class expert in the area of aerodynamics and fluid-induced vibrations of centrifugal compressors. Mr. Sorokes has been an active member of the ASME and the ASME IGTI Turbomachinery Committee for several decades, and is a regular lecturer and tutorial/short course instructor at the Texas A&M Turbomachinery Symposium and other university and technical conferences and private business venues. He has authored or co-authored 54 technical papers and holds 10 patents for designs associated with aerodynamic component design and manufacturing. In 2008, he was named an ASME Fellow and launched a program to promote cross-functional engineering training, hosting more than 120 sessions with attendees spanning five continents. In 2015, he was inducted into Dresser-Rand’s Engineering Fellowship Program.
Mr. Wang is the President and CEO of GTC Technology. After completing his BS degree in chemical engineering, Mr. Wang served as a Second Lieutenant in the Republic of China Air Force. After completing his military service, he relocated to the U.S. and earned an MS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas. He began his career at Mass Transfer. Over the next 17 yr, he was appointed to a variety of high-level technical and commercial roles worldwide. In 2002, Mr. Wang and several colleagues purchased Glitsch Technology Corp. from Foster Wheeler and formed GTC Technology, with Mr. Wang as Chairman and CEO. The company has celebrated dozens of successful licenses throughout the world, while gaining recognition in the aromatics and refining fields. In 2019, as a result of the company’s growth and success, GTC Technology became a part of Sulzer. Mr. Wang continues to play a vital role as GTC Technology’s President, overseeing a smooth transition into Sulzer and ensuring the profitability of the company. HP
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