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Process Optimization

Asia: Future challenges and opportunities for refining sector

Wood Mackenzie: Sivanandam, S.

Securing the right quality of crude oil, increasing refinery competitiveness and adapting to fast-changing inter-regional trade dynamics are some of the area's key challenges.

Enhance refinery profitability with modeling innovations

Aspen Technology Inc.: Beck, R.  |  Ajikutira, D.  |  Herrmann, L.  |  Ye, V.

Several improvements are on the horizon, which will add powerful optimization capabilities into the process modeler’s simulation work space in areas like heat integration, column optimization and economics.

Innovative solutions for processing shale oils

Baker Hughes: Sandu, C.  |  Wright, B.

New monitoring protocols can provide advance warning of any negative aspects of shale oil processing, thus enabling the refiner to take corrective measures early.

Optimize amine units and improve refinery profitability

GE Water & Process Technologies: Zurlo, J.

The alkanolamine system in a refinery, better known as the amine unit, is used to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2) and mercaptans (collectively referred to as acid gases) from proce..

Consider catalytic dewaxing as a tool to improve diesel cold-flow properties

Clariant: Morse, P. M.

Diesel engines rely on effective dispersion of fuel to ensure efficient combustion. In cold weather regions, maintaining the fluidity flow of fuels can be difficult. Catalytic dewaxing is a selectiv..

Are you using pinch technology effectively in your daily operations?—Part 2

KBC Process Technology Ltd.: Milosevic, Z.  |  Rudman, A.  |  Brown, R.

In Part 1, the basic principle of pinch technology and applications were presented. Pinch technology is a valuable tool in the design of greenfield HPI facilities. More importantly, such tools provide..

HP Reliability: Expect adversity, but plan for success

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Consider that a major oil refinery was planning a substantial modernization project in 2008. Energy efficiency gains and the ability to process a more readily available crude slate were key motivating..

HP Integration Strategies: Virtualization goes mainstream

ARC Advisory Group: Reynolds, P.

Virtualization, a computing approach that decouples hardware and software, is rapidly gaining traction in the traditionally conservative automation and control industry. With its roots in the informat..

HP Boxscore Construction Analysis: Outlook for major revamp projects—Part 1

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Nichols, Lee

Worldwide, refiners are investing billions in upgrading and modernization projects. These efforts are focused on:Increasing flexibility to process heavier, sourer crudesImproving energy efficiencyMeet..

HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 73: Useful troubleshooting tools to keep at hand

Consulting Engineer: Sofronas, A.

Over the past 45 years, the author has pursued troubleshooting machinery and pressure vessels. It has also been the subject of this column. The troubleshooting tools used in this endeavor have been an..