Refining
Engineering Case Histories: Case 92: The danger of pneumatic testing complacency
With proper safety, planning and implementation, pneumatic testing of piping and vessels has been performed successfully for many years.
Project Management: Want your plant to work right? Insist on strong project definition
Project definition is the planning of a project before execution, which begins when engineering is completed, equipment and materials are purchased, and construction of the new or modified plant is performed.
Reliability: Consider amended warranties for rotating equipment
If you have ever encountered a situation where an equipment manufacturer declined to offer warranties, allow us to share three case histories.
Editorial Comment: Refining overcapacity—will the trend continue?
In September 2015, the Editorial Comment centered on the theme of overcapacity.
Prospective costs of the EPA’s proposed RMP chemical accident prevention requirements
On March 14, 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed revisions to its Risk Management Plan (RMP) facility safety program in the US Federal Register.
Review of the CSB report on the 2010 Tesoro refinery fire
On April 2, 2010, a catastrophic fire occurred within the naphtha hydrotreating unit in the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. The final CSB report, including recommendations, was issued in May 2014, more than four years after the incident that resulted in the tragic loss of seven lives. This work critically reviews the CSB analysis of this incident and several of its resulting recommendations.
Design operations-and-maintenance-friendly pressure vessels—Part 2
In Part 1 of this article, the assistance provided by standardizations to gain improved vessel performance—vessel outer diameter (OD), component metallurgies, manways and saddles—was discussed.
Improve refinery profitability by processing low-value streams in a diesel hydrotreater
Global demand for middle distillates, especially diesel, is increasing.
Identify and correct coke drum foundation bolt failures
Coke drums in many operating plants experience foundation bolt failures.
Reduce industrial energy bills through improved combustion control
The last few years have been an extremely challenging period for the oil industry due to the adverse global economic environment and the impact of unfavorable external factors.
- Transitional Industries and CFEnergia sign feedstock supply contract for $3.3-B Pacifico Mexinol project 2/17
- Neste and World Fuel Services extend partnership, expanding SAF availability at more than 100 airports in Europe 2/17
- U.S. refined product exports by tanker increase to > 6.3 MMbpd in January 2/17
- Japan's oil and gas independence climbs to highest since 2009 2/17
- Dangote signs $400-MM equipment deal with China's XCMG to speed up refinery expansion 2/17
- Former Lukoil-owned ISAB refinery in Sicily exits crisis procedure 2/17

