Managing fouling in refinery networks

Jul-2015

Modelling heat exchanger and other networks enables the use of dynamic fouling models in performance assessment and predictive studies

A novel approach to cleaning furnace coils

Jul-2013

A modified pigging operation aims to greatly reduce the time required for coke removal from furnace coils

Improving the distillation energy network

Oct-2013

Energy-efficient design applied to the refit of a distillation unit was achieved through optimisation between the distillation column and heat network ...

Flue gas heat recovery through the acid dew point

Jul-2019

Polymer based heat exchange technology enables more heat recovery from flue gas by addressing acid corrosion issues.

Challenges of heavy crude processing

Oct-2012

A review of upgrading options and refinery configurations to process heavy crudes profitably. Refiners have long faced a major dilemma when designing refineries ...

Troubleshooting steam ejectors

Oct-2014

Some causes and practical solutions concerning problems with refinery steam vacuum ejectors

Enhancing heat transfer in Texas Towers

Oct-2009

Retrofit technology enhances heat recovery in feed-effluent exchangers, increases throughput, reduces furnace load and provides cost benefits

Tube rupture in a natural gas heater

Feb-2016

Dynamic simulation supports the use of a pressure safety valve over a rupture disk in the event of a tube rupture

Why vacuum unit fired heaters coke

Oct-2004

A description of the internal workings of vacuum heaters and the causes of coke formation within them

Catalyst filling in a fixed bed tubular reactor

Apr-2017

A reactor filling methodology ensures even reactant distribution and pressure drop

Mitigation of heat exchanger fouling

Oct-2012

Detailed analysis of potential contributors identifies the root cause of fouling in naphtha hydrotreater feed-effluent exchangers

Process improvements in the direct hydration of olefins to alcohols

May-2014

Synthetic alcohols produced by direct hydration have wide application in the process industries as solvents, in the production of cosmetics and as intermediates ...

Air pre-heater improves energy efficiency

Apr-2014

A corrosion resistant air pre-heater enables valuable heat recovery from corrosive and fouling refinery flue gas streams

Consider retrofits to handle high-viscosity crudes

Mar-2004

In 2000, ConocoPhillips’ refinery in Sweeny, Texas, began processing 16° API gravity blends of extra-heavy crude oils, including Merey 16 and BCF 1 ...

Advances in delayed coking heat transfer equipment design

Nov-2008

The delayed coking process is used to crack heavy oils, normally vacuum residue, into more valuable light liquid products, with less valuable gas and solid ...

Heat recovery from corrosive flue gas

Apr-2015

For improvements to energy efficiency in the petrochemical industry, waste heat recovery from corrosive flue gas is the most cost effective source to ...

Improving heat transfer in reboilers and condensers

Mar-2016

Guidelines and experience on how to deal with a loss of condensing or reboiling capacity

Selecting the “Best” fired heater

Jun-2013

Fired heaters are extensively used in the chemical process industry to heat process fluids and generate steam. Typically, fired heaters consume the largest ...

Passivation of ethylene cracker transfer line heat exchangers

Jul-2009

Case study based on fours years of applying DEHA-based passivation treatment technology to the TLEs of Egyptian Petrochemicals’ ethylene crackers

Improving FCCUs: bottoms system upgrades

Jul-2003

A review of process flow scheme fundamentals and basic equipment operating and design principles that have improved unit operating profitability through ...

Driving down costs in hydrogen production

Mar-2013

An optimised hydrogen plant design achieves the right balance of minimising both Capex and Opex costs, while meeting the specific objectives of the end ...

Heat integration projects for refining processes

Oct-2013

Heat integration projects can deliver substantial savings, but they require detailed simulation and case-specific heat integration analysis

High efficiency zero export steam reforming

Sep-2016

Development of a new hydrogen production technology based on steam methane reforming.

Applying pinch technology to energy recovery

Oct-2013

A pinch technology-based study of heating and cooling of material streams in a large-scale olefins plant identifies major opportunities for energy sav ...

Optimising steam systems: part II

Jul-2010

A second article on steam system optimisation addresses steam at point of use and good engineering practice to remove and return condensate

Managing fouling in refinery networks

Jul-2015

Modelling heat exchanger and other networks enables the use of dynamic fouling models in performance assessment and predictive studies

A novel approach to cleaning furnace coils

Jul-2013

A modified pigging operation aims to greatly reduce the time required for coke removal from furnace coils

Process safety time for fired heaters

Dec-2020

Cases illustrate the actions needed to avoid hazards occurring when the supply to a fired heater is disturbed.

Understanding the value of arc flash management and mitigation for large electric process heaters

Jun-2022

While larger medium voltage process heaters are relatively new in hydrocarbon processing, the safety issues surrounding medium-voltage equipment are well ...

Flue gas heat recovery through the acid dew point

Jul-2019

Polymer based heat exchange technology enables more heat recovery from flue gas by addressing acid corrosion issues.

Improving hydrotreater performance with welded plate heat exchangers

Jul-2020

Pressure has never been higher on refiners to improve the efficiency of their energy-intensive processes.

Boosting tube-side heat transfer

Jun-2021

Tube insert technologies can improve heat exchanger performance by enhancing tube-side heat transfer coefficients in two-phase applications.

Heat exchanger fouling analytics

Sep-2020

Modelling the effects of fouling on the performance of heat exchangers and its impact on product values as well as energy losses

Crude preheat train fouling and fix-up

Nov-2022

Rigorous modelling of crude preheat train exchangers allows for fouling progression of the heat exchangers to be monitored throughout the crude unit run ...

Achieving Fit for 55 emission reduction targets by 2030

Feb-2023

Options available to oil refineries in reducing CO2 emissions while providing a clearer vision on possible roadmaps.

Heat recovery solves carbon capture issues

Mar-2021

Flue gas heat recovery at the fired heater overcomes major drawbacks to the successful operation of an amine based carbon capture plant.

Designing steam heat exchangers and tracing systems

Jun-2021

Fundamentals must be considered when designing an industrial steam system to avoid premature failure or under-performance.

Use of tube inserts in fired heaters

May-2022

In 1896 Whitham reported the successful use of twisted tapes (originally called retarders, and now also called turbulators) to increase heat transfer in ...

Tube rupture in a natural gas heater

Feb-2016

Dynamic simulation supports the use of a pressure safety valve over a rupture disk in the event of a tube rupture

Troubleshooting steam ejectors

Oct-2014

Some causes and practical solutions concerning problems with refinery steam vacuum ejectors

Increase duty in tube side condensers

Jul-2020

A retrofit is shown to improve several aspects of tube side condensation processes.

Our cheaper crude intake has relatively high chloride levels at the cost of increased preheat exchanger fouling. What measures can we take to minimise the problem? (PTQ Q&A)

Oct-2020

Responses to a question in the Q3 2020 issue of PTQ

Use of CFD modelling to improve burner design and operation

Dec-2020

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling can be used as an efficient and low-cost alternative to improve the design and operation of a new burner.

Furnace cleaning by robots

Dec-2020

Remotely cleaning furnace tubes slashed the cost of hydrogen production for a refiner.

Cut time, costs and complexity with the integrated capabilities of an F4T controller

Nov-2021

Many of today’s complex industrial heating systems have several devices to ensure continuous operations and efficient performance. The application may ...

Biofilm: A hidden threat

Feb-2024

A new approach to the costly problem of biofilm formation in refinery and petrochemical operations.

Heat storage in solar power plants

Jun-2020

Avoiding freezing and leakage: optimal thermal management for the use of molten salt in solar thermal power plants with concentrated radiation

Heater experts solve common problems with IR thermography

Dec-2020

Many owner operators in the oil/gas and petrochemical industry know infrared (IR) thermography is a pillar of any robust inspection program. At Becht Fired ...

Electrification and medium voltage process heater systems

Feb-2022

Decarboniation efforts worldwide, led both by industry leaders and legislation, have increased efforts to shift fossil fuel use to renewables. One way ...

Reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in fired heaters

Feb-2023

A global inventory of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions recently published by One Earth suggests that global cumulative emissions could be reduced by up ...

Five common causes of refractory failure and how to fix them

Nov-2024

(White Paper) - All process heaters operate at high temperatures and are constructed with process tubes inside a refractory-lined enclosure, which is heated ...