Key topics in the November issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering include catalysts, corrosion protection, safety & security, digitalisation, and pumps & valves. This month’s regional report from Euro Petroleum Consultants puts the spotlight on Russia and evaluates how successful the country’s refineries have been at increasing depth of conversion.
Deeper and deeper!
Valentin Kotlomin, Euro Petroleum Consultants, Russia, evaluates how successful Russian refineries have been at increasing the depth of conversion.
Rising to refinery challenges
Goutam Biswas, Dan Gillis and Robert Hurny, Chevron Lummus Global, USA, introduce high conversion residue hydrocracking technologies.
On the up
Chad Cavan and Tony Vranjes, Honeywell UOP, USA, and Dale Moorhouse, Refining NZ, New Zealand, examine how improving diesel product quality led to increased hydrocracking unit profitability at a refinery in New Zealand.
Keeping things light
Bart de Graaf, Ray Fletcher and Herman van den Bold, InovaCat B.V., the Netherlands, discuss the benefits of layered packed beds in a refinery application.
Cracking demand
Victor Scalco and Christian Vaccase, General Atomics, USA, consider how to increase energy supply, reduce environmental waste and create revenue from the ‘bottom of the barrel’ using separation technology.
Taking care of catalysts
Patrick Gripka, Criterion Catalysts and Technologies, USA, outlines catalyst handling best practices to obtain optimum catalyst performance.
Clearing the critical path
James Esteban, Refined Technologies Inc., USA, outlines the importance of preparing equipment and catalyst systems for maintenance work.
Busting the myth
When it comes to a temporary shelter, rigid cabins are not always better, Dave Ritzel, Dyn-FX Consulting Ltd, Canada, explains.
All or nothing?
Vishal Lagad, Lloyd’s Register, USA, looks at how integrity operating windows can be used more widely to help maximise safe and efficient refinery operations.
The time is now
Tim Shire, KBC, UK, explains how to successfully harness new digital technologies in the oil and gas industry.
A good health check
Craig Marshall, NEL, UK, explores how diagnostic tools can help to identify problems in metering systems.
Getting the measure of corrosion
While solutions exist to combat corrosion in refineries, sensors are required to measure effectiveness. Christiane Lederer, Emerson Automation Solutions, USA, explains why.
Salty business
Masakazu Koizumi and Keisuke Karaki, Kurita Water Industries Ltd, Japan, present a new approach to counter salt deposition for corrosion and fouling control.
Overcoming hurdles
Murat Ercan, Seçil Uzun and Seçkin Sakarya, Turkish Petroleum Refineries Co., Turkey, outline the actions taken to overcome corrosion in the crude columns at the Batman Refinery.
The heat is on
Mohan Gawande, Sandvik Materials Technology, India, considers an alternative to nickel and titanium alloys for heat exchangers.
Test the waters
Michael Jeitziner, Honeywell, Germany, explains the importance of controlling water levels in marine fuel.
Smooth operator
Matthias Richtig, Hoerbiger, Austria, explores how the lubrication system of reciprocating compressors can be made more reliable and reduce maintenance costs.
Taking the plunge
Kelly Eberle and Cajetan Ijeomah, Wood Group, Canada, outline a case study of vibration-induced cracks in a plunger pump piping system.
Under pressure
Dr Jonathan R. Webber and Gobind Khiani, Fluor Canada Ltd, Canada, consider the selection and application of balanced bellows pressure relief valves.
The perfect fit
Alejandro Fratini, Alexander Rosenbusch and Christoph Rosenboom, Crane ChemPharma & Energy, a business of Crane Co., USA, explain how to approach steam purged valve selection for delayed coker units.