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

Processing high TAN crude: part I

Jan-2010

Huizhou, which is the first refinery for processing 100% high TAN crude, started up in 2009. This article describes the challenges of an opportunity crude ...

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

Choosing a neutralising amine corrosion inhibitor

Jul-2004

A review of physical and chemical properties of commonly used amine-based corrosion inhibitors. The authors highlight the relative strengths and weaknesses ...

Removing contaminants from crude oil

Mar-2016

Natural and introduced contaminants limit crude desalting effectiveness, increasing fouling and corrosion risks in downstream units

Stripping sour water: the effect of heat stable salts

Oct-2012

Mass transfer rate-based simulation models sour water stripping and assesses the distribution of ammonia in conventional amine treating systems

Detecting and dealing with hydrate formation

Apr-2010

A review of cause, detection and treatment of hydrate plug formation in gas pipelines. Gas hydrates are solid crystalline compounds, which have a structure ...

Combating green oil formation in a CCR reformer

Jul-2013

The addition of a chloride adsorber guard bed solved a refiner’s issues with contamination affecting a CCR reformer’s rich gas compressor

Microbiological causes of corrosion

Jul-2014

Many of the most serious problems with corrosion of refinery equipment have a microbiological basis

Control of foaming in amine systems

Sep-2007

Amine solutions foam. Solution foaming causes plant upsets. It is the disengagement or break time that differentiates normal, desirable froth from undesirable ...

Safe removal of polymeric deposits

Jan-2015

Damaging polymeric fouling of internals can be cleaned in situ by safe chemical treatments. Butadiene polymer formation is not an unusual problem in butadiene ...

Removing salts and contaminants in glycol regeneration

Apr-2014

A new process combining candle filters and pressure plate filters enables more glycol to be safely recovered from natural gas than by conventional met ...

Mitigating fouling in the caustic tower

Oct-2013

Comprehensive analysis of foulants in an ethylene plant’s caustic tower led to the identification of an effective treatment programme

Preventing ammonium salt fouling and corrosion

Jan-2018

Best practices and opportunities to reduce the risk of salt deposition and damage

Chloride removal in refineries

Mar-2011

A review of catalytic removal of chlorides from refinery streams and a critique of current analytical techniques for estimating chloride content

Dealing with column fouling

Feb-2016

An understanding of process basics and fouling mechanisms enables increased run length in problem columns.

Foaming in fractionation columns

Oct-2015

By understanding the foaming process and its root causes, steps can be taken to eliminate or minimise the formation of foaming.

Controlling corrosion in amine treatment units

Apr-2011

A range of measures can be taken to minimise corrosion in amine units. The amine unit plays a vital role in the petroleum refining, gas processing, coal ...

Olefins plant cracker gas compressor fouling

Apr-2007

Monitoring and treating process gas compressors to prevent corrosion and fouling. Several examples of improved compressor performance through the utilisation ...

Linings for sulphur storage tanks

Apr-2015

Flexible spray coatings combat the corrosion mechanisms of sulphur stored in steel tanks.

Hydrogen-induced cracking and blistering

Apr-2009

Hydrogen damage to steel is a well-known consequence of corrosion in sour service. A corrosion inhibitor program can reduce hydrogen entry into the metal. ...

Multiple corrosion mechanisms in crude distillation overhead system

Jul-2009

Extensive troubleshooting efforts determine distinct corrosion mechanisms simultaneously attacking multiple areas of an atmospheric tower overhead sys ...

Reactor effluent air cooler safety through design

Oct-2013

Quality-controlled replacement of carbon steel with Duplex 2205 for revamps can increase the service life and reliability of the REAC in the high-pressure ...

Combating reactor pressure drop

Apr-2017

A refiner investigates the causes of pressure drop due to fouling in a fixed bed reactor and considers an appropriate mitigation strategy

Advances in amine reclaiming

Feb-2007

Why there is no excuse for operating a dirty amine system. The benefits of reclaiming amine systems are trumpeted by many and doubted by others.

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

Control corrosion in refineries and petrochemical plants

Oct-2023

Formation of a water-resistant organic film barrier stops electrochemical corrosion on metal surfaces.

Meeting the challenge of tramp amines in crudes

Apr-2025

New technologies provide options to refiners for quantifying and mitigating tramp amine corrosion risk.

Maximising stripping section performance

Aug-2021

The design of a crude unit stripping section affects diesel and gasoil yields, energy usage, and unit reliability.

Improving turnarounds and operations with online cleaning

Sep-2020

Case histories illustrate the financial and operational gains achieved by replacing mechanical cleaning with online, closed-loop operations. The conventional ...

An introduction to fouling in fired heaters: part 1

Apr-2022

Fouling is the accumulation and formation of unwanted materials on the surfaces of processing equipment.

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

High efficiency contaminant removal - Improving new and existing acid gas sweetening processes

Nov-2022

Gas sweetening processes using amine solvents are often challenged to meet productivity and reliability targets due to the impact of solid and liquid contamination. ...

Managing the life cycle of coke drums

Sep-2020

Coke drums have finite lives. Understanding where they are in their life cycle is key to managing spending on repair or replacement

Solids in the feed are causing corrosion and erosion problems in our amine system. How do we remove them effectively and economically?

Feb-2021

Responses to a question in the Q1 2021 issues Q&A feature

Desalter chemical programmes for opportunity crudes

Nov-2021

Opportunity crude processing can present many challenges including incompatibility, high calcium and tramp amines.

Optimising critical level control in desalters by using multiphase level measurements

Dec-2021

Refineries are a complex set of various operating units designed to process crude oil into refined products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuels and feedstocks ...

Crude oil processing scheme for reducing operating costs in the CDU

Feb-2023

Development of crude oil distillation processing schemes to significantly reduce external energy and stripping steam demand.

Optimising refinery operations through innovative corrosion-resistant materials

Sep-2024

A high alloyed austenitic stainless steel is supporting advances in the chemical and refinery industries.

Fouling in the feed/effluent exchangers to our naphtha hydrotreater is at unacceptable levels. The feed is straight-run naphtha. Solutions please. (PTQ Q&A)

Oct-2020

Response to a question in the Q3 2020 issue of PTQ

Introduction to refractory

Dec-2022

Combating green oil formation in a CCR reformer

Jul-2013

The addition of a chloride adsorber guard bed solved a refiner’s issues with contamination affecting a CCR reformer’s rich gas compressor

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

Types of corrosion and materials to combat them

Sep-2020

A review of corrosion problems in fluid systems and how to prolong their life in one of the oil and gas industry’s most challenging environments.

Raising diesel yield by chemical treatment

Dec-2020

A chemical treatment programme combined with process monitoring enables increased production of middle distillates.

Protecting your hydroprocessing reactor

Jun-2021

Owners and operators respect a hydroprocessing reactor’s minimum pressurisation temperature but can fail to understand factors other than the temper ...

Ceramic coating application in a refinery steam methane reformer furnace

Jun-2022

Increase an SMR’s thermal efficiency by applying a high emissivity ceramic coating on the furnace box walls.

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 ...

Overcoming wastewater challenges of opportunity crude processing

Feb-2024

Refinery wastewater facilities need new practices and solutions for efficient and sustainable operation with heavy opportunity crudes.

Controlling corrosion in amine treatment units

Apr-2011

A range of measures can be taken to minimise corrosion in amine units. The amine unit plays a vital role in the petroleum refining, gas processing, coal ...