This issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering includes a feature on skills, training and recruitment within the downstream oil, gas and petrochemical sector. Other topics include catalysts, heat technology and high performance materials. This month’s regional report from UKPIA looks at the downstream oil sector in the UK.
The UK in focus
Nunzia Florio, UKPIA, UK, discusses the downstream oil sector in the UK, and the challenges it is set to face following the nation’s decision to leave the EU.
A digital ecosystem
Marcio Donnangelo, Emerson Automation Solutions, USA, discusses how installing wireless transmitters can help refineries to improve operations and reduce the number of unscheduled outages, while being safer and more energy efficient.
Tracking trends
Michael Sanches, Airswift, USA, presents an objective perspective on petrochemical hiring trends in the downstream sector.
The recruitment round-up
Andrew Duffy, Petroplan, USA, analyses the ongoing trends for recruitment in the downstream oil and gas industry, particularly following the rise of LNG projects.
Right here, right now
David Wright, Bilfinger, UK, discusses the art of resourcing plant turnarounds and finding the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
Training to be the best
Jennifer Gaines, Sulzer, USA, explains why it is essential that every business has a skills training programme in place to ensure that the next generation retains the skills and expertise of experienced workers.
Defend against silicon poisoning
Peter Piotrowski, Honeywell UOP, USA, and Austin Schneider, Crystaphase, USA, provide a case study in how refineries can proactively protect against unexpected silicon poisoning.
A refreshing boost
Gene Mueller, Dr Michael Severance, and Dr Axel Düker, Clariant Catalysts, examine how a new generation of phosporic acid catalysts can lead to more profitable and sustainable fuel upgrading in FCC refineries.
Achieve high, aim low
Andy Huang, Gary Cheng, Ann Benoit, and Bob Riley, W. R. Grace & Co., USA, explain how refiners can meet the need for higher octane gasoline while ensuring sulfur content remains within regulations.
Afterburn relief
Ron Butterfield, Tom Ventham, Paul Diddams and Martin Evans, Johnson Matthey, explore how to prevent FCC afterburn in the downstream industry.
Optimum design of fuels blend header
Dr Suresh S. Agrawal and Meena S. Agrawal, Offsite Management Systems LLC, USA, discuss the design of a fuels blend header for an in-line blending system.
Rising from the ashes
Thomas R. Kline, Structural Technologies, USA, explores how a solution-oriented response and effective decision-making can restore a refinery safely after a fire incident.
Keeping a watchful eye
Scott W. Sexton, Haldor Topsoe Inc., USA, discusses how monitoring furnace fireboxes, burners and tube temperatures improves operations, safety, reliability, efficiency and life cycle.
Take advantage
Chris Wajciechowski, Alfa Laval, USA, explains how the introduction of welded plate heat exchangers has optimised naphtha hydrotreater efficiency at a major refinery on the US Gulf Coast.
Heating up
Ilan Toledano, Wattco, USA, advises on how to pick the right thermal fluid heating equipment and provides an overview of the use of circulation heaters in the petrochemical industry.
Focus on right temperatures
Harpal Singh, Bartec Singapore, explains why heat tracing systems are a crucial element of petrochemical production, with reference to a recent project carried out for PTT Phenol in Thailand.
Tanks of steel
Quinten Eyckmans and Daria Astakhova, Madesta, Switzerland, outline the important role that steel plays in the construction of storage tanks.
Casting call
Uwe Kellner and Hans-Jürgen Steinhart, Zollern GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, introduces high performance metals and alloys for use in the downstream oil and gas industry.
New media
Gregory Hallahan and Caleb Smathers, ProSep, USA, and Jeff Myers, Williams, USA, examine the effective removal of BTEX from rich water to reduce the concentration of BTEX in reclaimed methanol using a new media system.
Water treatment Q&A
Hydrocarbon Engineering questions a number of water treatment experts about R&D, regulatory compliance, productivity improvements and the overall market outlook.