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Summary
With demand for conventional fuels projected to peak and fall over the next decade, some refiners are looking to petrochemical production as a way of diversifying their product slate.Abstract
Most refineries are reliant on the production of liquid fuels. On average, around 55% of all refinery products are sold as gasoline, diesel and other middle distillates, kerosene etc, as well as bunker fuels, and refineries depend upon the difference between the price of oil that they buy and the price of the fuels that they sell to make their margin. Keywords: FCC, CRACKER, HYDROPROCESSING, VGO, GASOLINE, DIESEL, AROMATIC, AROMATICS, OLEFIN, OLEFINS, CHINA, ARAMCO, INDIA, RELIANCESummary
The continuing spread of alkylation technology and the preference for the sulphuric acid route are leading to increased demand for acid in refineries.Abstract
Alkylation is a refinery process which converts light olefins into a high-quality gasoline blendstock by reacting them with isobutane. The most common is C4 alkylate, made by alkylating butylene with isobutane. However, alkylate can also be made from propylene and isobutane, or pentene and isobutane. Keywords: HF, STRATCO, EXXONMOBIL, ACID, REGENERATION, SPENT, OCTANE, REFINERY, REFINERIESSummary
A. Goudarzi of CECO Industrial Solutions discusses the science behind NOx content and how it impacts sulphuric acid producers. In a recent project in Korea, TWIN-PAK® candle filter technology was successfully used to reduce NOx emissions in metallurgical oleum tower production. After installation of the candle filter mist eliminators the plant was compliant with environmental regulations enabling the producer to operate the plant without penalties or shutdowns.Abstract
Everchanging regulations and air pollution control is a major global concern, organisations are looking for smart solutions to reduce emissions to meet stipulated limits by governing bodies. Elevated temperatures required for metallurgical roasters often create higher levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) which require abatement or exceed emission limits. Keywords: NOx, candle filter, sulphuric acid, oleum, emissions, TWIN-PAK, retrofit, pollution control, environmental regulations, CECO Filters, pilot testing, CECO Industrial SolutionsSummary
Sulphur processing and handling equipment manufacturer IPCO has completed the commissioning of a groundbreaking new drum granulator in Italy that will serve as a global showcase for this patented system. C. Metheral of IPCO, describes the innovative approach and key features of the SG20 sulphur granulation system.Abstract
The IPCO SG20 is a fully automated sulphur granulation system based on rotating drum technology. Its high productivity ‘once through’ operation delivers a solidification capacity of up to 800 t/d. The unit has been delivered to a long-standing customer in Italy, Keywords: sulphur forming, sulphur processing, sulphur handling, equipment manufacturer, drum granulator, SG20, sulphur granulation system, drum technology, sulphur build-up, sulphur nozzles, roller wear, dust emissions, scrubber waste, H2S emissions, IPCOSummary
Are the three "T"s (temperature, turbulence, time) of Claus unit ammonia destruction still meaningful with improved understanding of the thermal reactor? CFD models appear to be adequate at higher temperatures, e.g. 1,200°C, but not at lower temperatures, e.g. 800°C and 1,000°C. A. Keller, on behalf of the Amine Best Practices Group, reviews how meaningful the rules of thumb for Claus unit ammonia destruction really are.Abstract
There is a near ad-nauseum collection of technical papers concerning the destruction of ammonia in Claus thermal reactors (as reaction furnaces are now being called). Keywords: ammonia destruction, Claus unit, CFD, model, 3 Ts, temperature, residence time, turbulence, low intensity mixing burners, high intensity mixing burners, ASRL, Amine Best Practices GroupSummary
New state-of-the-art equipment has been installed in the thermal stage of one of Europe's largest Claus SRU units. Substoichiometric firing and a furnace designed with CFD calculations and a modern compact boiler system design based on detailed heat engineering and FEM calculations were key to the success of the retrofit. P. Foith of CS Combustion Solutions reports on the retrofit and how the novel combination of a CS low pressure swirl burner, additional mixing using a VectorWall™ and a new waste heat boiler design achieved the desired results.Abstract
A successful retrofit was recently completed at a 700 t/d Claus plant in Germany, overcoming the problems of poorly operating existing equipment in the existing thermals stage of the SRU unit. Keywords: sulphur recovery unit, SRU, thermal stage, retrofit, Claus, heat engineering, CS low pressure swirl burner, VectorWall, waste heat boiler, CFD analysis, CS Combustion SolutionsSummary
Temperature monitoring and measurement of the Claus thermal reactor in sulphur recovery units is one of the most challenging applications in the oil and gas industry. Recently, market interest in unpurged thermocouples has increased with the introduction of new unpurged thermocouple designs utilising alternative thermowell materials such as monocrystalline sapphire.Abstract
Temperature measurement in the main reactor of the sulphur recovery unit (SRU) is not only a primary process variable, but also critical for the overall safety and reliability of the reactor. Keywords: Claus, thermal reactor, temperature monitoring, sulphur recovery unit, thermocouple, purged thermocouple, unpurged thermocouple, monocrystalline sapphire, platinum oxide sublimation, sapphire thermowell, QSeal, Delta Control, Daily ImpermaWell, Mag VSS, Daily Thermetrics