Search by topic : Automation, Control, Instrumentation and Simulation
Title Author Edition
Downstream business process mapping

Atul Agrawal Infosys Technology Ltd

2005 / Q1

The use of business process mapping on a refinery/downstream enterprise integration project. Efficient documentation of all enterprise-wide activities helps to keep re-engineered processes in focus while identifying future scenarios
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Improving olefins plant performance

Darren C Le Geyt KBC Advanced Technologies Inc

2005 / Q1

A review of available modelling and optimisation tools for olefins plants. A cost effective approach has been developed for improving cash margins by a combination of rigorous simulation, optimisation and steam cracker economics
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Ethylene plant Optimisation

Zak Alzein and Ravi Nath Honeywell Process Solutions

2005 / Q1

A review of the application requirements, trends and evolution of closed-loop real time optimisation applied in ethylene plants and how this relates to feedstock selection and furnace schedule optimisation
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Refinery production planning

Paulo Rego Siemens Chemtech
Rüdiger Reichow Siemens AG

2005 / Q1

Plant level scheduling at the interface of technical vision and operational demands, say the authors, requires a scheduling tool that supports rather than simply automates the decision process. Ways to minimise inefficiencies are discussed
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Managing refining yields and margins

Aftab Saleem Allegro Development

2005 / Q1

How energy transaction management systems can help to integrate business processes and data and provide accurate access to this information. Examples show how consolidated data can be used to calculate accurate yields and margins
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Advanced computer control at Melaka refinery.

Mohd Redzuan Mohd Sofian, Petronas Melaka Refinery

1999 / Q1

A description of the experience of a Malaysian refinery in implementing advanced process control and the product inferential system.  The author describes lessons learned and recommends some problem-solving methods.
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Techniques of multivariable controls and optimisation.

N SelvaGuru, Singapore Refining Company (SRC)

1999 / Q1

Increasing competition is putting refiners under pressure to achieve greater returns from each barrel of raw material.  Advanced process control and knowledge engineering techniques help towards this goal by automating some of the human skills and conventional controls involved in the process.
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Real-time optimisation for major refinery units.

Ian Godman, MDC Technology
Blaine Tookey, BP Oil

1999 / Q1

On the premise that a single model is needed to cover the range of plant functions, a performance monitoring and real-time optimisation system has been installed at BP Oil Alliance's refinery, and indications are that projected profit increases will be achieved with better and more consistent performance.
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Computer integrated systems for global engineering.

David Cockshoot, Kvaerner Process UK

1999 / Q1

Integrated, globally operable computer systems bring benefits to contractors, but even greater benefits to owner operators who retain the electronic deliverables and full atrribute data for use throughout the plant lifetime.
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Process control applications at a Middle East refinery.

John Delich and S S Dhaliwal, AspenTech (UK) Ltd.

1999 / Q1

Continuous development of a Middle East refinery's process control system  is discussed, together with the results of the application of a DMC plus multivariable constraint controller to the refinery's crude distillation unit and ARD unit fractionator.l
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Information technology - Agip case study.

Danilo Belletti, IBM Italy.

1999 / Q1

Improving management skills and streamlining the decision-making process has become a necessity for the industry, with information technology as the primary means.  This article describes the AgipPetroli strategy in this field.
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Reduction of benzene precursors in the reformer feed.

Michela Montesi, Filippo Trivella, Alessandro Brambilla, Contas Process Control.
Massimiliano Dell'Agnello and Luciano Paolicchi, AgipPetroli SpA

1999 / Q1

The authors report the results of a technology developed by Contas Process Control for estimating product composition, and its application to the naphtha splitting section at the Livorno refinery, Italy.
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Process simulation through the internet.

Manel Serra. Daniel Pinol, Sergi Sama, Hyprotech Europe

2003 / Q1

A review of the available network technologies to bring Cape-Open standards to the process environment with a discussion of the COGents European project and its targets for software discovery and collaboration through the web.
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Maintaining the optimum advanced process control

Kees den Bakker, Chris Seppala, Rob Snoeren, Shell Global Solutions

2003 / Q1

The potential for improved performance monitoring allows companies to measure the performance of their advanced control and optimisation methods against established indicators, and also helps to identify missed faults to be corrected.
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Advanced analytical methods for FCCU troubleshooting

A J Romero, E Rautiainen, K Y Yung, Akzo Nobel Catalysts
A Gevers and J Russel-Lucasius, Refineria Isla (Curacao) NA

2003 / Q1

Separation of FCC catalyst on skeletal density and AAI are in-depth tests to consider when standard analytical methods fail to predit catalyst performance.  Methods described here have been helpful in certain catalyst replacement problems.
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Crude Valuation for crude selection

J C M Hartmann, Hartmann Refinery Consultancy

2003 / Q1

A simulation model can give product yields/properties on separate crudes while an LP run indicates the cost of using limited facilities and markets.  Together they show the relative values of crudes for a specific refinery in a specific market.
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Advanced process control re-engineering.

Ulrich Rejek and Blaine Tookey, BP Oil
Steve Park, Sean Goodhart, Steve Finlayson, Applied Manufacturing Technologies

2004 / Q1

Update on a refinery's model predictive control application that resulted in maximised FCCU feed while the unit was pushed against key constraints such as regenerator excess oxygen and main fractionator reflux temperature.
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Advanced control for solvent extraction

Bruce Wilson, Suncor Energy Products Inc
Birendra Das Biswas, Aspen Technology Inc

2004 / Q1

A case study of multivariable control in a BTX solvent extraction unit.  It includes a process overview with an examination of controller design and sub-controller concepts, together with a reference to future improvement with automated testing.
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Online optimisation to improve performance

Jay Jackson, Mike Piatt, Charles Timmons, CITGO Refining and Chemicals LP
Paul Fountain and Randy Wagler, Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions

2004 / Q1

An account of how a refinery, using an online optimisation system for maximising production and increasing operational flexibility, improved its profitability by increasing throughput, reducing costs and improving product quality.
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Multivariable control of delayed coker units

Robert Howard and Neale Johnson, AspenTech Europe
Issa al-Abdeen, Shakir Khambaty, Siva Subraminjam, Kuwait National Petroleum Corp

1997 / Q1

In recent years, multivariable predictive control has been successfully applied to delayed coking units in refineries around the world.  Observations from three recent projects in North America, Europe and Kuwait are presented.
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Robust multivariable process control technology

A Ogden-Swift, Honeywell Profitmatics Ltd

1997 / Q1

Robust control technologies are reviewed in this article, together with a summary of real applications in the hydrocarbon process industries where results are already published.
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Crude unit optimisation

Paul Brice, Mike Hill, Jerry Platt, Simualtion Sciences (SimSci)

1997 / Q1

ROM - or Rigorous Online Model - has been used widely in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, and this study of a ROM installation at a 90000bpd crude distillation unit assesses its ability to increase plant profitability.
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Remote computing in gas processing operations

Stanley DeVries, The Foxboro Company

1997 / Q1

Gas processing operations face huge challenges to maximise production, and at the same time reduce operating costs.  Remote computing, available for a long time in its simplest form, has recently matured to become an "enabling technology", allowing processors to transform their operations.
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Large scale roll-out of integrated refinery applications

J Patrick Kennedy, OSI Software

1997 / Q1

Many companies can buy and distribute personal computers, but only a few get the marked improvement in productivity they had been expecting, says the author, who analyses the complexities of integrating software applications.
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Digital control rooms: are they what operators need?

Robert W Szoke, Ashland Petroleum Company

1998 / Q1

The control room's migration from analog panel boards to distributed control systems (DCS) solved many problems and created some new ones.  Was it worth the effort?  The transition to all-digital control rooms is discussed with an eye towards some technologies that are looming on the horizon.
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Upgrade of predictive multivariable control for a delayed coker

David J Anderson, Chevron Products Company
Dennis I Cima, Aspen Technology Inc.

1998 / Q1

The new multivariable controller at Chevron's El Segundo delayed coker, now online for over a year, has increased unit profitability by some $1 million a year.  The benefits achieved by the new fractionator and gas recovery system multivariable predictive controler include a more profitable yield structure.
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OLE in process simulation model development

Peter Stanley, Hyprotech Ltd

1998 / Q1

Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology is enabling processors to choose the most suitable software components for their applications, and to adapt it to develop rigorous simulation models, reflecting realistic plant behavious, in a shorter time than ever before.
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Improving instrumentation and control

Michael A Spencer, HSB Reliability Technologies
Ross M Elliot, EnTech Control Engineering Inc

1998 / Q1

The economic impact of poorly designed and maintained instrumentation and control systems is examined in this article, together with methods for improving and continuously maintaining their performance.
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Gas plant advanced process control using personal computers

William A Poe and P N Berkowitz, Continental Controls Inc

1998 / Q1

A new technology in the economic optimisation of gas processing has improved operations in a wide range of inlet conditions.  The approach has effectively reduced operator interaction and also achieves better results when placed under supervisory control.
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Online optimisation: experience and future prospects

Hidle van der Pas, Jan van Arkel, Pierre Vadnais, Shell Global Solutions

2000 / Q1

This article describes how using the same models at different stages of the business process -design, planning, operation - aids the implementation and support of online optimisation projects.

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Spectroscopic methods in refining and petrochemicals

Marc Valleur, Technip France

2000 / Q1

A review of the practicalities of using process spectrometers in the refining and petrochemical industries, including the available applications, the practical results from their use in the field, and the prerequisites for success.

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Oil loss monitoring - a profitable investment

Nobutaka Sumikawa, Taiyo Oil Company

Peter Downs, KBC

Kenzo Matsuda, System Plaza

2000 / Q1

Reducing loss has the potential to significantly improve refinery profitability, and a software application and methodology has been developed to assist in this task.  This article describes how a Japanese refinery has put it to good use.

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Advanced control and optimisation

Laszlo Bodai, Akos Jozsef, antal Katona, MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas Company

Rendell  Byrd, Aspen Technology Inc

2000 / Q1

The authors highlight the benefits - potential and achieved - from applying advanced process control and optimisation at Hungary's Danube Refinery and which they say has strengthened their company's market position.

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Refinery integration in an enlarged supply operation Ian Swanson and Shaun Haydon, Electronic Data Systems Ltd (EDS)
2000 / Q1

The refinery is by necessity becoming part of an enlarged supply operation, integrating more closely with head office, other refinereis and organisations beyond the fence.  Two case studies describe how two refineries have adapted.

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Using new dimensions to improve profitability

Robin W Brooks, Process Plant Computing Ltd

2000 / Q1

There is value not only in improving the gathering and storage of process and laboratory data but also in enchancing methods of visualisation and analysis.  Parallel Coordinates, a two-dimensional method of viewing data, is described.

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Minimising the impact of crude feedstock changes

Rafael Gonzalez-Martin and Mikel Sola, Petronor-Repsol

David W Hoffman, Aspen Technology

2000 / Q1

In this article the authors describe a multivariable control system that utilises a feed-forward crude switch detection in order to minimise the impact of crude switches on unit operation

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Use of rigorous models in refinery-wide optimisation

Dale R Mudt and Clifford C Pedersen, Sunoco Inc

P R Robinson, M D Jett, S Karur, J M Thiessen, P J Hanratty, B McIntyre, Aspen Technology Inc

2001 / Q1

A description of how rigorous models are being used for closed-loop real time optimisation at a refinery in Canada.  The authors show how combinations of rigorous models can quantify important non-linear relationship between units.

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Clean fuels: a strategy for today's refiners

Uday Hattiangadi, Michiel Spoort, Subhas C Pal, Washington Group Int.

2001 / Q1

After addressing the current status of "clean fuels" and the technology options for both diesel and gasoline, the authors present a novel linear programming model for analysing complex scenarios and arriving at a cost effective solution.

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Software for scheduling a multi-plant complex

Wolfgang Liebenau, Veba Oel Verarbeitungs GmbH

Tony Cutting, Haverly Systems Inc

2001 / Q1

A description of the vendor selection, requirements and actual status of a project to install a new computerised scheduling system at one of Germany's major refineries, with an outline of the complexity of its operations.

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Artificial neural networks in lube oil refining

F G Martins, J J C Aparicio, J A Coelho, M A N Coelho, C A V da Costa, Oporto University

Manuel A S Jeronimo, Lusiada University
Carlos Martins and Artur S Braga, Petrogal

2001 / Q1

The authors describe how feedforward artificial neural networks are used to model rotating disc contactors for deasphalting and for furfural extraction - an approach proving valuable in solving complex problems in the refining business.

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Improving FCC operations with predictive upgrade

Ulisse Spanu, Saras

Sonia Sulis, Sartec
Henrik Terndrup, Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions

2001 / Q1

Robust multivariable control and optimisation technology applied to an FCC unit in Italy has boosted operational efficiency and yielded financial benefits.  And in a short period of time it has paid back the cost of the entire project.

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Establishing an information platform for three refineries

Jens H Schroeder, IT Consult GmbH

Markus Muth, BayernOil Raffinerie GmbH

2001 / Q1

An account of how an integrated refinery information system was devised when a group of refineries was merged and needed consistent information technology to replace their individual systems for running software and hardware.

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Competitive advantage in plant reliability

Keith Eldon Burres, HSB Reliability Technologies/Solomon Associates Inc

2002 / Q3

The concept of total plant reliability aims to integrate the approach to improving production and reducing costs.  By lowering workloads, improving reliability and using effective procedures, says the author, plants greatly improve their performance.

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Optimised procedural operations

Richard Kucharyson, Honeywell.

2006 / Q3

More focus is now being placed on procedure effectiveness in the management of abnormal situations and process state changes.  This helps to increase profitability as well as provide safer and more effective operations.

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Furnace combustion management

Gino DiSimone, SEI Inc

2006 / Q3

Results-driven innovation is yielding record-breaking advances.  Six Sigma methods are being employed with smart metrology to push the envelope of efficiency beyond what was thought to be possibe.  Measurement is the first, fundamental step.

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Refinery CO2 challenges: Part III

Joris N Mertens, Klaas Minks and R Michiel Spoor, KBC Process Technology

2006 / Q3

For the prediction of CO2 emissions from a refinery, simple correlations are not always sufficient.  A rigorous simulation tool that includes fractionation and reactor models can help to obtain a correct prediction fo the total emissions.        

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Deployment of Foundation Fieldbus technology

David Wood, David Wood & Associates  

Saeid Mokhatab, University of Wyoming

2007 / Q1

Foundation Fieldbus technology reduces design and construction, decreasing lifetime costs.  The concept of diagnostics for plant operation and maintenance is also enhanced, giving an expanded process view for operators and reduced maintenance through predictive strategies.

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Improving crude vacuum unit performance

Darius Remesat, Koch-Glitsch Canada LP

2008 / Q3

When simulating or designing an unconventional heavy oil/bitumen vacuum crude unit, the sharing of operating data on cracked gas make, stripping section performance and indirect entrainment can help ensure designers make the right design choices.

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Improving crude oil selection

Pat Swafford and Rachel McCarthy, Spiral Software Ltd

2008 / Q3

Advanced statistical techniques and models for predicting a crude oil's qualities can help refiners to better understand the changing quality of crude and speedily generate comprehensive, updated assays even from the current limited data available.

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Implementing simulation-based training

Ronald Smith, Chevron Products Company

Dennis Nash, Control Station Inc

2008 / Q3

Evolving best practices for the field operator of the future are being realised through process control simulation-based training.  These initiatives help meet or exceed the challenges of existing corporate SOPs, while improving production performance.

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Improving VGO hydrotreater operation

Darius Remesat, Koch-Glitsch Canada

2009 / Q1

A practical, industrial data-derived tool can give refinerys confidence in simulating the actual benefits of additional hydrogen for improved VGO hydrotreater performance.  A lumped parameter dynamic simulation modelling approach is employed.

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Pygas upgrading for European steam crackers

Joseph C Gentry and Meijuan Zeng, GTC Technology

2009 / Q1

Upgrading secondary by-products from naphtha-based steam crackers is an economic imperative that should take into consideration available process options such as extractive distillation to recover styrene from pygas.

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Offline tools for on-site control implementation

Ken Allsford, Bhaskar Iyer and Aric Tomlins, Advanced Solutions, Honeywell International

2012 / Q3

Application of productivity tools and work process changes can expedite advanced control projects and reduce effort in refining applications
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APC2: aligning people with control

Raymond Coker, BP Texas City refinery

2012 / Q3

A lead practitioner explains how refinery-wide involvement of people underpins a major advanced process control programme
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Alarm floods and plant incidents

Dustin Beebe, Steve Ferrer and Darwin Logerot, ProSys Inc

2012 / Q3

Alarm floods and their contribution to industrial incidents can be controlled succesfully through all process states
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