Engineering & Design

Common challenges in risk-based inspection for piping: Insights from experience

This article will identify the top five common problems and concerns related to risk-based inspection assessments for piping, along with some thoughts on how to address these issues. 

Hydrocarbon value chain optimization: Non-CAPEX opportunities to improve gross margins for the downstream sector—Part 2

Part 2 will outline additional opportunities across quality giveaway reduction, hydrocarbon loss measurement, refinery mass balance and energy management in downstream functions without the need for capital expenditure (CAPEX) or software infrastructure upgrades.

Optimizing NGL treatment for sulfur and methanol reduction at Pembina NGL Corporation’s Redwater fractionation plant—Part 2

This article provides an in-depth case study on how Pembina NGL optimized NGL treatment at its Redwater fractionation plant in Alberta, Canada.

Repsol surpasses 1,000 service stations with 100% renewable Nexa Diesel

The multi-energy company's goal is to end the year with 1,500 service stations offering this fuel in the Iberian Peninsula.

Methanex announces the successful restart of 1.8-MMtpy Geismar 3 plant in Louisiana (U.S.)

Methanex Corporation announced that its 1.8-MMtpy methanol plant, Geismar 3 (G3), in Geismar, Louisiana (U.S.) has successfully restarted and begun producing methanol following an unplanned outage in late February.

Manage reliability and asset management performance by implementing a reliable operations committee program

This article examines how the author's company instituted a reliable operations committee program at its refinery in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The main goal of the program is to oversee the implementation and performance of maintenance and reliability programs to ensure a culture of optimum reliability and endorse new initiatives and programs that enhance maintenance performance in the facility.

Improve plant maintenance programs by keeping CUI in check

If not adequately addressed, corrosion under insulation (CUI) has dangerous and costly consequences, including a greater risk of heat losses, increased energy usage, unplanned downtime, leaks and spills.

Synergize FCCUs and hydrocracking processing units to maximize refining margins—Part 2

Part 1 of this article appeared in the February issue. Part 2 here will explore the role of FCC and hydrocracking in crude-to-chemicals and the challenge of cracked feeds, among other topics. 

Heat exchanger modifications during hydrocracking and lube oil basestock units’ revamp at BPCL’s Mumbai refinery

This article provides insights into several possibilities for modifying heat exchangers that will help refinery owners/operators and consultants to plan similar revamp activities. 

Sizing PRVs for homogeneous non-equilibrium saturated flashing liquids