Loss Prevention
Intensification of sulfur processing units by oxygen enrichment and process flowsheet optimization
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.
Maximizing diesel hydrotreater profit by multivariable optimization: A case study
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.
Inspection: Establish an inspection plan for flare burners
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
Doing more with less: Extending critical fluid system resources
Fluid system operators are tasked with maximizing value from their systems to enhance plant and refinery operations.
Alternatives to ladders and platforms for inspection and maintenance of elevated flare tips
Flare systems are used in refineries and chemical plants as a last line of defense for the plant by burning all unwanted gases and liquid during any upset or emergency condition.
Shell improves asset management of instrumentation through digital transformation
In May 2019, ARC Advisory Group hosted a meeting of the European Digital Transformation Council (DTC) in conjunction with the ARC Industry Forum in Barcelona, Spain.
Highlights from a maintenance and reliability audit
Staffers in many plants in modern industry are assigned to job functions related to reliability assessment and implementation.
Refinery tower inspections: Discovering problems and preventing malfunctions
A previous survey identified installation mishaps to be one of the top five causes of tower malfunctions.
Water Management: Minimize white rust in galvanized cooling systems
Galvanized coatings for cooling tower systems (cooling towers, evaporator tube bundles, etc.) have been used in the industry since the 1950s due to their relatively low cost and long service life.
Refining: Despite decline, Group 1 base stocks are here to stay
Given increasingly stringent automotive specifications and the advent of the International Maritime Organization’s 2020 sulfur regulations, the continued decrease in Group I base stocks demand should come as no surprise for anyone in the industry.

- U.S. oil, biofuel group recommends 5.25 Bgal in biomass diesel mandates 4/11
- Ukraine will add bioethanol to petrol from May, seeks first imports from EU 4/11
- UN shipping agency strikes deal on fuel emissions, CO2 fees 4/11
- S&P analysis: Global refined product demand growth likely to weaken, absolute decline cannot be ruled out 4/11
- U.S. targets China oil storage terminal in new Iran-related sanctions 4/11
- Russia's Novatek plans condensate processing complex in Murmansk 4/11