Unique crude-to-chemicals technology set to deploy in first commercial development (HP on 16 December 2022):
Lummus Technology, a global provider of process technologies and value-driven energy solutions, announced that its licensed TC2C crude-to-chemicals technology will move forward in its first commercial deployment through S-Oil's Shaheen Project in South Korea. S-Oil recently confirmed its final investment decision on the Shaheen Project. Once complete, Shaheen will be one of the world's largest ethylene plants and the first commercial deployment of TC2C, a breakthrough technology that transforms whole crude into value-added chemicals. ( more about ...)
The Tech Making Lithium-Ion Batteries Safer (Source: Oil Price on 15 November 2022): By Brian Westenhaus
When overheated Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are prone to catching fire or even exploding. Yet they are used to power everything from smart watches to electric vehicles, thanks to the large amounts of energy they can store in small spaces. A recent research paper published in American Chemical Society’ Nano Letters offers a possible solution with a new technology that can swiftly put the brakes on a Li-ion battery, shutting it down when it gets too hot. The chemistry found in many batteries is essentially the same: Electrons are shuttled through an electronic device in a circuit from one electrode in the battery to another. But in a Li-ion cell, the electrolyte liquid that separates these electrodes can evaporate when it overheats, causing a short circuit.
New Class Of Materials Could Replace Metals As Electricity Conductors (Source: Oil Price on 3 November 2022): By Brian Westenhaus
University of Chicago scientists have discovered a way to create a material that can be made like a plastic, but conducts electricity more like a metal. This could be very important as the breakthrough could point the way to a new class of materials in the polymer field for electronics and other devices. The research shows how to make a kind of material in which the molecular fragments are jumbled and disordered, but can still conduct electricity extremely well. This goes against all of the rules we know about for conductivity. Illustration of the structure of the material. Nickel atoms are shown in green, carbon atoms in gray, and sulfur atoms in yellow. Image Credit: Xie et al, University of Chicago. Click the press release link and scroll down for the largest view. The research paper, published in Nature, shows how to make a kind of material in which the molecular fragments are jumbled and disordered, but can still conduct electricity extremely well.
McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2022:
Technology continues to be a primary catalyst for change in the world. Technology advances give businesses, governments, and social-sector institutions more possibilities to lift their productivity, invent and reinvent offerings, and contribute to humanity’s well-being. And while it remains difficult to predict how technology trends will play out, executives can plan ahead better by tracking the development of new technologies, anticipating how companies might use them, and understanding the factors that affect innovation and adoption: Applied AI; Advanced connectivity; Future of bioengineering; Future of clean energy; Future of mobility; Future of sustainable consumption; Web3; Industrializing machine learning; Immersive-reality technologies; Cloud and edge computing; Trust architectures and digital identity; Future of space technologies; Quantum technologies; Next-generation software development ... (more about ...)
In southern Tajikistan, 110km from the country’s capital, Dushanbe, a vast monolith of compacted rock is taking shape in the desert. The 335m tall Rogun dam – the name of the new structure – will be the tallest dam in the world once complete, and its 3.6GW of electricity generation capacity will nearly double the size of the former Soviet state’s existing power network. Rogun’s gestation period has been long: first proposed in 1959, construction began in 1976, with efforts paused in the 1990s following the collapse of the USSR. Construction recommenced in 2007, with the aim for the project now to be completed by the end of 2029. (more about ...)
Back in 2017, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, a 30MW demonstration project, was installed off the east coast of Scotland. Five years on, the UK is targeting 5GW of floating offshore wind by 2030, which is equal to half its current total offshore wind capacity. In the recent ScotWind offshore wind leasing round – the world’s first fully commercial leasing round to support large-scale floating wind – the technology was awarded 14.5GW out of a total 25GW. The Crown Estate is planning a further 4GW of leasing for floating wind in the Celtic Sea. (more about ...)
Could The World Run On Nitrogen? (Source: Oil Price on 30 November 2021): By Haley Zaremba
A team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is trying to transform the world from a carbon economy to a nitrogen economy. In an extremely innovative approach supported by the United States Department of Energy, researchers have identified a way of converting ammonia to nitrogen gas in a reaction that creates energy while requiring no energy inputs itself. This discovery is part of a nascent technology that is a long way from commercial viability, but which holds great promise for a world that is furiously trying to decarbonize.
Vision H2, Virya Energy awarded permits for 25-MW green H2 production facility (H2 Tech: November 2021)
Vision Hydrogen Corporation has been granted permits for a 25-MW green H2 plant in North Sea Port of Terneuzen, the Netherlands. Vision Hydrogen subsidiary VoltH2, in partnership with Virya Energy, reaches a critical developmental milestone towards development of a 25-MW green hydrogen production facility with tube-trailer loading and integrated distribution facilities. This scalable platform allows the partnership to scale up production capacity at this site to 75 MW. At 25 MW, the plant will produce up to 3.5 MM kg of green hydrogen per year, and up to 10.5 MM kg of H2 output at 75 MW. The project site is strategically located in the North Sea Port of Terneuzen, proximate to existing high voltage power and gas infrastructure as well as large renewable power producing assets for the supply of green electrons and large industrial customers for future offtake of clean hydrogen.
How hydrogen combustion engines can contribute to zero emissions (Mckinsey Article on 25 By Bernd Heid, Christopher Martens, and Anna Orthofer
Hydrogen combustion engines can leverage existing technologies and provide a zero-emissions option for specific use cases while supporting the growth of hydrogen infrastructure. Regulators are tightening emissions rules for on-highway trucks in many of the world’s largest markets. From 2030 onward, regulators in Europe will require manufacturers to cut CO2 emissions for new on-highway trucks by 30 percent compared with 2019 levels. In the United States, the emissions-reduction target by 2027 is 46 percent lower than 2010 levels. Fifteen US states, led by California, have additional mandates in place that by 2030 will require 30 percent of trucks sold to be zero-emission. Similarly, Chinese regulators are requiring OEMs to reduce emissions for heavy-duty trucks by 24 percent from 2021 compared with 2012. Additional longer-term targets are likely, given that China recently joined the growing group of countries with net-zero emissions targets by or before 2060.
Vertical Offshore Wind Turbines More Efficient than Conventional Ones, Study Shows: AOG on May 13, 2021
According to new research from Oxford Brookes University, vertical offshore wind turbines are much more efficient in large-scale wind farms than conventional turbines, and when used in pairs, vertical turbines can boost each other's output by up to 15%. A research team from the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (ECM) at Oxford Brookes led by Professor Iakovos Tzanakis conducted an in-depth study using more than 11,500 hours of computer simulation to show that wind farms can perform more efficiently by substituting the traditional propeller-type Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), for compact Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs). The research demonstrates for the first time at a realistic scale, the potential of large-scale VAWTs to outcompete current HAWT wind farm turbines, the university said. "VAWTs spin around an axis vertical to the ground, and they exhibit the opposite behavior of the well-known propeller design (HAWTs). The research found that VAWTs increase each other’s performance when arranged in grid formations. Positioning wind turbines to maximize outputs is critical to the design of wind farms," according to a statement by Oxford Brookes University.
The Top 5 Ways We Use Oil & Gas: By Julianne Geiger (Oil Price on 16 November 2019)
If climate change and the use of fossil fuels is starting to worry you, consider this: The lion’s share of the petroleum in the United States is being used just to get around--to get people and things from point A to point B. Industrial, residential, commercial and electrical power usage of petroleum pales in comparison. Fossil fuels--which include crude oil and other liquids--are refined into petroleum products for a multitude of uses, and last year, the United States consumed over 20 million barrels per day. A whopping 69 percent of that was consumed by transportation. Industry, which the masses like to villainize most in terms of fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, used only 25 percent. Residential usage accounted for only 3 percent of our petroleum consumption, and commercial, only 2 percent.
China’s Solar Paradox: why invest today when prices keep dropping?
Solar power has become cheaper than grid electricity across China, a development that could boost the prospects of industrial and commercial solar, according to a new study. Projects in every city analysed by the researchers could be built today without subsidy, at lower prices than those supplied by the grid, and around a fifth could also compete with the nation’s coal electricity prices.
Shell considers solar panels to power Singapore refinery site: Hydrocarbon Processing on 6 August 2019
Royal Dutch Shell is considering to install solar panels to power its Bukom refining site in Singapore, a company spokeswoman told Reuters. “We are exploring the potential of installing solar panels at our Pulau Bukom Manufacturing Site,” she said, without providing further details. The Bukom manufacturing site includes a 500,000 barrels-per-day refinery, which is Shell’s largest wholly owned refinery.
Nuclear Fusion Could Be A Reality By 2025: By Haley Zaremba, Oil Price on 28 July 2019
In order to keep globally rising temperatures from increasing more than 1.5 degrees Celsius this century, the international community will have to cut carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and down to zero by the middle of the century. Meanwhile emissions continue to increase every year, and the increase is accelerating, rising by 1.6 percent in 2017 and about 2.7 percent in 2018 to reach an all-time high. Making matters even more dire, global energy demand is projected to grow by approximately 27 percent by 2040, or 3,743 million tons oil equivalent (mtoe). What if there was one energy solution that could solve all of these pressing problems?
Fatty Acid: Engineering of an oleaginous bacterium for the production of fatty acids and fuels: Nature Chemical Biology volume 15, pages 721–729 (2019)
Production of free fatty acids (FFAs) and derivatives from renewable non-food biomass by microbial fermentation is of great interest. Here, we report the development of engineered Rhodococcus opacus strains producing FFAs, fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) and long-chain hydrocarbons (LCHCs). Culture conditions were optimized to produce 82.9 g l−1 of triacylglycerols from glucose, and an engineered strain with acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetases deleted, overexpressing three lipases with lipase-specific foldase produced 50.2 g l−1 of FFAs. Another engineered strain with acyl-CoA dehydrogenases deleted, overexpressing lipases, foldase, acyl-CoA synthetase and heterologous aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase and wax ester synthase produced 21.3 g l−1 of FAEEs. A third engineered strain with acyl-CoA dehydrogenases and alkane-1 monooxygenase deleted, overexpressing lipases, foldase, acyl-CoA synthetase and heterologous acyl-CoA reductase, acyl-ACP reductase and aldehyde deformylating oxygenase produced 5.2 g l−1 of LCHCs. Metabolic engineering strategies and engineered strains developed here may help establish oleaginous biorefinery platforms for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels.
Revamping: The new normal in petrochemical revamp projects: Prajapati, J., Sheth, C., Nilesh Mangukia, Linde Engineering, HP in June 2019, HP
You have made the decision to increase plant capacity—with a change in feed—in the existing facility. You have shortlisted the licensor and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors that are best in quality and cost. As engineering work starts, you receive the bad news that the existing furnaces and columns are not designed for additional capacity; so, the add-on furnace and columns must be redesigned. Further complications are that the feed contains certain compositions that will result in the need for an additional reactor and adsorber; therefore, additional plot area is needed. These changes require additional engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and cost. The relatively simple job has now turned into a more complex, more expensive and delayed one.
Modular construction: From projects to products: | Report -McKinsey
Modular (or prefabricated) construction is not a new concept, but technological improvements, economic demands, and changing mind-sets mean it is attracting an unprecedented wave of interest and investment. If it takes hold, it could give the industry a huge productivity boost, help solve housing crises in many markets, and significantly reshape the way we build today. Our new report, Modular construction: From projects to products, dives deeper into the issues. ...
The Future of Hydrogen - IEA for G20 in 2019
Hydrogen and energy have a long shared history – powering the first internal combustion engines over 200 years ago to becoming an integral part of the modern refining industry. It is light, storable, energy-dense, and produces no direct emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases. But for hydrogen to make a significant contribution to clean energy transitions, it needs to be adopted in sectors where it is almost completely absent, such as transport, buildings and power generation. ...
Key contributing factors to safety incidents at gas processing facilities - N. Behari, Shell Canada Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Companies too often cite human factors and equipment malfunctions as the root causes of accidents at gas processing facilities. However, extensive research reveals one commonly overlooked factor at play—the lack of a well-defined process safety culture, especially regarding human errors and interaction. ...
Water management: Mark Patton, Hydrozonix
Have the water wars begun in West Texas? New Mexico State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn has accused Texas landowners of circumventing New Mexico state laws, and of water theft. In simple terms, New Mexico has a more restrictive policy on issuance of water rights. The state has a priority system for groundwater, which favors older permits. As a result, it has been easier to obtain permits in Texas and move water into New Mexico, which is all perfectly legal. ...
Digital: Improve profitability in the process industry with artificial intelligence: Bergman, S., NAPCON
The digitalization of chemical processes is becoming a critical factor in ensuring the profitability of chemical plants. Digitalization is a wide concept: it covers real-time systems, software and algorithms that convert process and equipment-related data from various sources into valuable information and insight, enabling the online optimization of plant operations. ...
Liquefaction technology selection for baseload LNG plants: Mokhatab, S., Consultant; Messersmith, D., Bechtel Corp.
As global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade continues to rapidly expand, the challenge of liquefaction process selection—a key element of an LNG project—becomes increasingly important. Selecting more versatile and cost-effective liquefaction technologies that meet stringent environmental emissions standards is a key focus for new projects. In recent years, liquefaction process selection studies for baseload LNG plants have grown in scope due to the interest in both larger-train capacities and the potential economies of repeatability, with some large-scale facilities using multiple small-train solutions. As such, this article presents an overview of an LNG production plant, along with an analysis of the most common and proven processes available for the liquefaction of natural gas in baseload LNG plants. ... (more about ...)
Biofuel Breakthrough Uses Algae To Create Hydrogen - By Brian Westenhaus
A research group from the University of Turku, Finland, has discovered an efficient way for transforming solar energy into the chemical energy of biohydrogen through the photosynthesis of green algae that function as cell factories. Molecular hydrogen is regarded as one of the most promising energy carriers due to its high energy density and clean, carbon-free use. During photosynthesis, green algae utilize harvested solar energy to split water, release oxygen into the atmosphere and produce biomass that functions as an excellent feed-stock in the blue biorefinery ... (more about ...)
Challenges and opportunities for equation-based hydrates prediction:
Gas hydrates may form in any location where free gas, water, and the appropriate temperature and pressure exist, such as in natural gas production, transportation and processing systems. Hydrates may form and partially or completely constrict the gas flowrate in the well bottom zone of a layer; in the fountain tubing column or the annular space of a well bore; in well top pipes or near well top equipment; in field pipelines and installations; in transport gas pipelines and product pipelines; or in underground gas storage systems. (more about ...)
Upgrading the bottom of the barrel - Elshout, R., Energy Systems Engineering; Bailey, J., Brown, L., Nick, P., Consultant
In the past few decades, new technologies, including both carbon rejection methods and catalytic conversion methods, have emerged. Often, a combination of these two technologies has proven to be the best approach to upgrading operations. A combination of carbon rejection and the addition of hydrogen (H2) can be used to upgrade residuum fuels to make the low-sulfur gasoline and ultra-low-diesel (ULSD) fuels required by environmental regulations. Upgrading residual fuels uses either carbon rejection or H2 addition, or a combination of the two. Traditional carbon rejection technologies include delayed coking, visbreaking, fluid coking, solvent deasphalting and residual fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC). The key to optimizing refinery margins is often the technology that is used to upgrade the bottom of the barrel. With the advent of new catalysts, other upgrading technologies have remained the same. Relatively new heavy oil upgrading processes, along with improvements to existing technologies, are being used to help increase refining margins. ... (more about ...)
Flexibility in desalting operations for opportunity crudes: Mejias, I., Liu, Y., Boul, J., Collins, T., Forum Process Technologies
Typically, opportunity crudes require more rigorous desalting to yield high-quality products due to high levels of naphthenic acids, basic sediment and water (BS&W) and filterable solids, among others. These crudes differ greatly in quality, as does the quality of the desalted crude from such feeds. The benefits from low-priced feedstock are balanced against capital investments for desalting units and higher operating costs. The key is ensuring that the desalting process has the operational flexibility to process these types of crudes. ... (more about ...)
Improve welding technology for heavy-wall pressure vessels in creep-resistant steel - Alberini, S., Fusari, F., Musti, M., Marangoni, P., Belleli Energy CPE
The standard practice recommended for high-pressure vessels with heavy wall thickness requires the implementation of weld joint preparation with a narrow gap technique. This generally calls for a two-beads-per-layer sequence, along with the use of the submerged arc welding (SAW) process. The SAW process provides a high-quality and uniform weld joint while reducing the residual stresses after welding. In refinery equipment that is subjected to high pressures and exposed to hydrogen (H2), high-strength materials, such as 2 ¼ Cr 1 Mo ¼ V, are commonly adopted. ... (more about ...)
LNG plant design in cold climates: S. MOKHATAB and D. MESSERSMITH
Monetizing natural gas via LNG technology in cold climates (e.g., Kenai, Alaska; Hammerfest, Norway; and Sakhalin, Russia) has proven commercially viable. Although the low temperatures of the feed gas, ambient air and cooling water in arctic climates help improve liquefaction energy efficiency for LNG production, the process design of the liquefaction plants presents unique challenges due to the harsh environment and geographic isolation. For these reasons, gas pretreatment and liquefaction technologies commonly used in baseload LNG facilities... (more about ...)
Propane dehydrogenation technology is transforming the propylene business: Morse, P. M., Zhang, B., Argus
Propylene demand has been increasing rapidly in recent years, and traditional processes are struggling to keep up. Propylene demand has increased at an average rate of nearly 5%/yr in the past 5 yr, with some developing countries growing at two to three times that rate. In China, for example, average annual propylene demand grew by 15.5%/yr between 2012 and 2016. (more about ...)
Battery storage: The next disruptive technology in the power sector: By David Frankel and Amy Wagner (Mckinsey)
Storage prices are dropping much faster than anyone expected, due to the growing market for consumer electronics and demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Major players in Asia, Europe, and the United States are all scaling up lithium-ion manufacturing to serve EV and other power applications. No surprise, then, that battery-pack costs are down to less than $230 per kilowatt-hour in 2016, compared with almost $1,000 per kilowatt-hour in 2010
Bureau Veritas releases new rules for FSRUs: NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, France
Bureau Veritas (BV) has published a new Rule (NR645) for the classification of floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) in response to industry demand and following close engagement with FSRU stakeholders... (Source: Gas Processing)
Carburization inspection robots for radiant tubes inside ethylene cracking furnaces - Tiyawongsakul, T., Rayong Engineering & Plant Service Co. Ltd.
In an olefins plant, the reliability of ethylene cracking furnaces is one of the deciding factors used to indicate whether or not the plant can be operated at its design productivity. If a furnace shutdown occurs due to a reliability-related issue, then ethylene productivity will drop and lead to opportunity loss, material and scaffolding costs, etc. ... (more about)
Revamp fired heaters with a common air-preheating system to increase capacity - Ahamad, S., Vallavanatt, R., Bechtel Corp.
In any process plant, fired heaters are generally considered to be one of the most optimally designed pieces of equipment. Any margin provided during the design stage is consumed very quickly during debottlenecking. Plant operators work hard to extract every possible absorbed heat duty from a fired heater. (more about ...)
Design and troubleshoot the orifice chamber in an FCCU - Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.
The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process remains one of the most important secondary conversion processes due to its inherent capability to upgrade residual streams and its flexibility to maximize the desired product, depending on market dynamics... (more about ...)
Case study: Improve vacuum tower operation with VFD addition: Alshaye, A., Saudi Aramco
The bottom pump in crude vacuum units is an area of concern for almost all petroleum oil refineries. The harsh operating parameters in which these pumps operate, including high product temperature and significant vacuum suction pressure, have resulted in frequent vacuum tower upsets and low mean time between failures (MTBF) for vacuum bottom pumps.
These Blobs May Be the Future of Plastic Water Bottles: by McKinley Corbley
Designed by London-based startup Skipping Rocks Labs, the biodegradable container is made out of a thin, flexible membrane composed of sodium alginate – a natural derivative of brown algae – and calcium chloride. It can be either ripped open, allowing the individual to drink the liquid out of the membrane, or simply consumed whole. Each glob contains 250 ml each, costing only about 2 cents to make.
5 Clean Energy Innovations That Could Transform Our World: By Zainab Calcuttawala
Innovations in energy storage, smart grid, and electricity generation technologies will affect every part of the source-to-consumer supply chain for powering the planet. Energy storage tech improves the viabilities of wind and solar power – two energy sources that remain cost prohibitive due to expenses related to batteries that would store generated energy. Smart grids will regulate the movement of energy throughout a city or state, insuring the areas from crippling blackouts. Developments in electricity generation make sure we make the most out of fossil fuels and other energy sources to improve efficiency.
Wind powered offshore oil recovery to become a reality
DNV GL is leading a joint industry project which has already determined that wind power could be used to power water injection in offshore oilfields. The project, known as WIN WIN (WINd-powered Water INjection) is now moving into its second phase, after the first phase confirmed that the concept is technically feasible, capable of meeting targets and is cost-effective in comparison to conventional water injection methods.
New from NACE International: Preferential Weld Corrosion of Carbon Steels
NACE International has added a new publication to its collection of corrosion resources. The new book, Preferential Weld Corrosion of Carbon Steels addresses the detection, assessment and control of preferential weld corrosion (PWC) of carbon steels. An essential resource for asset integrity specialists, engineers responsible for risk management, plant operators and facilities engineers in the oil and gas and chemical process industries, this book offers clear guidance on how to manage PWC in both new projects and maturing assets.
Maintain the simplicity of maintenance work processes: Asquini, M., T.A. Cook Consultants Inc.
In the processing industries, companies rely on their physical assets to guarantee that they are always producing at the same capacity, or preferably higher, than they began. To achieve these high levels of production, assets must be readily available. The best way to reach this goal is by properly planning, scheduling and executing all preventive and corrective maintenance activities. Successful progression greatly decreases the time and energy spent on reactive activities.
Optimize steam usage in refinery flares: Silva, C. F. P. M., Carmona, M. A., Ribeiro, L. S., Gliese, R., Tonel, T. L.,
In this study, methods to optimize the consumption of dispersion steam in flares were examined at a large refinery that burns a considerable quantity of gas. The desired optimization was achieved by monitoring hydrocarbon emissions using an infrared camera (thermography). Utilizing this methodology, it was determined that an excessive quantity of steam was used in the flares under study; plumes of hydrocarbons that had not been converted in the flares could be seen exiting the stacks. The steam flowrate was reduced until the optimal levelwas reached, preventing both the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons and the formation of soot. The results indicated that an infrared camera could be helpful for optimizing steam consumption, which can yield significant savings for refineries.
Engineering approach optimizes process design, reduces costs for NGL facility upgrade: M. F. Khan and R. Riaz, Jacobs Zate, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
In the present oil and gas market, companies may think twice before installing new equipment, even for necessary upgrades. Cost-effectiveness has become increasingly necessary. The role of the engineering contractor is critical to studying cost-reduction options during engineering design and budget allocation decisions.
Optimize a CDU using process simulation and statistical modeling methods: by Bird, J., Seillier, D., Piazza, E., Valero Energy Corp.
A methodology was implemented to optimize the operation of a refinery crude distillation unit (CDU) using a combination of process simulation and statistical modeling methods.
Honeywell UOP introduces ionic liquids alkylation technology:
Honeywell UOP has introduced a new alkylation technology to the refining industry, developed by Chevron, that employs ionic liquids as a catalyst to produce high-octane motor fuels. Chevron licensed the technology to Honeywell UOP, which will offer the technology under the ISOALKY brand name as an alternative to traditional technologies that use hydrofluoric or sulfuric acids as a liquid alkylation catalyst.
Unlock next-level hydrocracker flexibility in today’s turbulent markets: Baric, J., Shell Global Solutions Intl., BV; Kang, D.-H., Hyundai Oilbank Daesan refinery; Orzeszko, G., Grupa LOTOS Gdańsk refinery
As a critical catalytic conversion unit, the hydrocracker provides refiners with valuable feedstock and product slate flexibility. In recent years, several businesses have taken this flexibility to the next level. Some have adapted their units to handle extreme feeds, whereas others have transformed their operating strategies to capture new business opportunities in petrochemicals or lubricant base oils. These refiners have unlocked real performance differentiators and transformed the economics of their assets.
Design for ultra-high-pressure H2S removal from natural gas: P. Roberts, formerly with Advisian, WorleyParsons, Twickenham, UK
What are the pressure design limits for natural gas H2S removal and associated dehydration facilities? This question was asked in the search for facility designs to remove H2S from sour gas at a pressure of 160 bara. The inlet gas to the facility is at 160 bara, and it requires export with minimum pressure loss for reinjection.
New in gas processing technology: B. Andrew, Technical Editor
Maintenance, repairs and unplanned downtime in manufacturing can be costly, and the corrosive effect of polluted or contaminated air in production facilities is often the culprit. Demand for comprehensive gas-phase filtration is rising, and increasingly sophisticated solutions are required to protect critical systems.
Manage activated carbon effects on MDEA solution foaming: D. Engel, S. Williams and A. Heinen, Nexo Solutions, The Woodlands, Texas
In the oil and gas industry, activated carbon (AC) is used in many applications, both as an adsorbent and as a support media for chemical reagents. One of the most common uses is in amine units. The occurrence of foaming episodes in amine units is perhaps the single most common problem leading to operational losses. The AC has the function of removing soluble contaminants from the amine solvent, thereby reducing foaming tendency. However, no systematic study exists of the relative effect of AC adsorption with respect to foaming reduction in amine solutions.
Floating LNG's evolution from FPSO: Author: Bob Andrew, technical editor, Gas Processing
Floating LNG (FLNG) has always been an attractive concept for several reasons: able to be located deep offshore without requiring a jetty or product pipeline, potential to be redeployed to another large gas field, and – compared to LNG plants on land – a lesser impact on flora and fauna, indigenous peoples. Several decades of reliable track records with LNG onshore plant development and Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) gave gas field developers the confidence to now build FLNG vessels.
Dual-methane expander liquefaction reduces LNG costs and complexity: G. W. Howe, G. F. Skinner and A. D. Maunder, Gasconsult Ltd., London, UK
LNG producers have sought to enhance project returns through higher plant capacities to achieve economies of scale. Many complex multi-refrigerant plants were constructed to realize this objective. However, the unprecedented capital costs and financial risks associated with these mega-scale plants may be unsustainable in an era of distressed energy prices. Some operators are looking for more flexible project development and commercial models that alleviate risk; they are seeking means to monetize smaller gas reserves with lower-cost schemes.
Useful tips for a successful HAZOP study: Kunte, V. A., Sakthivel, S., TATA Consulting Engineers Ltd.
The products we use on a daily basis comprise a variety of chemicals. The products increase the living standards of billions of people across the world. Many technologies have been developed to manufacture these chemicals. In any type of industry, such as petroleum refining, petrochemicals or fertilizer production, specialty chemical manufacturing, or pesticide production, the handling, processing, storing and transferring of huge quantities of volatile and flammable hydrocarbons and chemicals are inevitable. Since hydrocarbons and chemicals are vulnerable to fires, explosions or toxic release, they can lead to various types of accidents. The consequences of an accident could be catastrophic, which affects capital investment, personnel safety, equipment and the environment.