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World News
The oil price challenge
Contributing Editor, Nancy D. Yamaguchi, explores the cyclic and unsteady nature of oil prices, with a focus on the North American market.
Fortify don't acidify
David Comer, James Noland and James Ondyak, Dorf Ketal, USA, discuss the control of amine species and salting points in crude column overheads for improved reliability and crude flexibility.
Running in real time
Kevin Clarke, Permasense, UK, discusses the current confidence in processing opportunity crudes through real time corrosion monitoring.
Analyse this
Gregory Shahnovsky, Ariel Kigel and Ronny McMurray, Modcon Systems, USA, discuss the role of online process analysers in 21st century refinery management.
Equip for opportunity crudes
Marcelo Carugo and Tim Olsen, Emerson Process Management, USA, discuss the rise of opportunity crudes, and explain how to implement them successfully in a facility.
Keep it clean
Kim Peyton, Jennifer Draper and Jennifer Sorrells, Nalco Champion, USA, evaluate the challenges encountered when fuels fail to meet specifications, and the benefits of introducing fuel additives.
Disruptive technology
Mark Whittle, Quadrise International Limited, UK, examines a new disruptive technology that can significantly improve refining margins and distillate yield.
Stay hot, pay less
Eduardo Perea, Sandvik Materials Technology, Singapore, explains how hyper-duplex stainless steels are helping to achieve major reductions in plant costs, with more consistent long term performance.
A new lease of life
Travis Cockrell, Sulzer, USA, looks at the surface protection processes and technologies that are being used to increase the durability of rotating equipment used in demanding operating environments.
Corrosion control
Ana Juraga, Cortec® Corporation, USA, explains how a turnkey mothballing solution was used to ensure long term corrosion protection at a gas processing facility in Dubai.
An accident prevention plan
S. L. Chakravorty, Petroleum Industry Consultant, India, evaluates various methods that can help to prevent serious incidents and accidents in refineries and gas processing plants.
Protecting personnel
Sarah Prinster, Apprion Inc., USA, discusses the implementation of an integrated industrial safety solution at a petrochemical facility, and how this improved safety of plant personnel.
Safety by design
Graeme Ellis, ABB Consulting, UK, takes a look at inherent safety in facility design in today's energy sector.
Riding the wave
Bob Botwinski, Magnetrol International, USA, discusses the advances in guided wave radar technology, and how it can solve some of the most challenging application problems.
Looking internally
Dan Morton, Haldor Topsoe, Inc., USA, and Roberta Cenni, Haldor Topsøe A/S, Denmark, explain how hydroprocessing plant operators can improve unit cycle length with appropriate reactor internal upgrades.
Stamping out shutdowns
Austin Schneider and Umakant Joshi, Crystaphase, USA, investigate the sources of unexpected shutdowns, and explain how catalyst technology can help to combat them.
A perfect performance
Stuart Foskett and Rebecca Kuo, BASF Corporation, USA, outline methods for benchmarking FCC unit performance, and identify the common characteristics of best performers.
Conquering crude
Patrick Gripka, Criterion Catalysts and Technologies, USA, evaluates how a North American refiner was able to unlock more value from heavy, high sulfur crude oils by continuously upgrading the catalyst and improving the process.
21st century catalysts
Steve Bryant, and Bill Murff, Clean Harbors Inc., USA, explore how catalyst handling advances can increase refinery throughput and improve safety.
Preparation, it's pure and simple
John Kinder, JVIC Catalyst, a Zachry Group Company, USA, describes how a detailed scope of work and upfront agreement when handling catalyst change orders can ensure proper budgeting and prevent unexpected surprises.
15 facts...
This month we give you 15 facts on the Netherlands!
