Process Control
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.
Reliability: Reliability engineering on offshore platforms
Offshore platforms have had their fair share of successes and failures over the years, and to say that their reliability experiences contain lessons for all of us is an understatement.
Root cause analysis for low yield of p-diethylbenzene produced by catalytic alkylation
Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) manufactures para-diethylbenzene (PDEB) at one of its plants by alkylation of ethylbenzene (EB) with ethylene, using RIL's own technology and super-selective catalyst.
Industry Perspectives: The Main Column podcast: Crucial topics shaping the industry
In the February issue of Hydrocarbon Processing, the editors asked our global readership what topics they would like to hear on the publication’s new podcast series: The Main Column.
Variable capacity control technology facilitates efficient operation for reciprocating compressors
Reciprocating compressors are used extensively in refinery and petrochemical operations to keep feedstocks and products moving through miles of piping.
Improving plant operations with control valve simulations
In today’s business climate, where project budgets and schedules are under cost and time pressures (and where installed valve applications must perform reliably under increasingly severe conditions), valve simulations are enabling new capabilities.
APC maintenance scheduling—Part 2
Advanced process control (APC) projects are supervisory programs that are often thought of as a layer of control above the base regulatory control for a process.
Apply ceramic coatings to extend radiant tube life in process heaters
Process tubes in refining applications are typically steel alloy (ASTM A335 P22, P5 or P9), which contain 2.25%, 5% and 9% Cr, respectively. These grades oxidize at operating temperatures, and scale will grow continuously on the surface, often reaching 2 mm in thickness in higher-temperature/high-heat-flux units. The layers of scale are very insulating and represent a significant barrier to conductive heat transfer to the process.
Managing dark data and visualizing your digital twin
Today’s tools are often specialized for a certain type of task; however, they often lack the connectivity that would enable the easy comparison and cross-reference of asset information. Engineering tools are well suited for design and build phases, but may be less suited for use in operations and maintenance.
Five key innovation concepts to impact frontline engineers in 2020
Gas processing, liquefaction, oil refining, bulk petrochemicals and chemicals plants represent a large population of frontline engineers and technical managers. Their professional lives will become increasingly impacted by the growing adoption of disruptive digital technologies and digital platforms.
- Yara begins production of renewable-based ammonia in Brazil 12/9
- Two dead, 9 injured, 4 missing in blast at Eni site near Florence 12/9
- Gentari to supply large-scale, carbon-free energy to AMG Ammonia's new green ammonia facility 12/9
- Aramco, TotalEnergies and SIRC assess the development of SAF unit 12/9
- Hycamite, MOLEA and MOL PLUS sign MoU to promote methane-splitting for power generation and marine vessel propulsion 12/9
- California law and refinery closure reflect ongoing challenges for state’s fuel market 12/9