Process Control
How valve upgrades can improve tank and terminal facility operations
Tank and terminal facility profitability ultimately rests on a handful of key performance indicators (KPIs). The ability to maximize tank capacity utilization—while minimizing the time it takes to load and unload ships, trucks and rail cars—drives the bottom line. All those transfers must happen quickly and accurately, while avoiding product contamination.
Hydrocarbon Processing Awards 2020—FINALISTS
This special section details all finalists within each category for the fourth annual <ital>HP</ital> Awards. The winners will be announced on Oct. 1.
Business Trends: Autonomous operations in process manufacturing—Part 1
Progress in the driverless car segment has served to illuminate one of the major future goals in industrial and process manufacturing: autonomous operations in process plants—in other words, the autonomous plant. While AO for process plants has received interest from the process automation and control industry, limited serious discussion has taken place in the process operations and IT domains.
Editorial Comment: Optimizing operations and recognizing achievements
Over the next two months, <ital>Hydrocarbon Processing</ital> will host two separate events for a global audience. One will gather the brightest minds in the industry to share the latest innovations and technologies in the industry, while the other will recognize the leaders in advancing the industry toward safer and more reliable, sustainable and profitable operations. Both events—<ital>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</ital> IRPC and the HP Awards—will be streamed on digital platforms and free to view.
Advanced analytics drive IIoT success
Refineries and petrochemical plants face similar challenges in daily operations. Each must mitigate risk, anticipate maintenance, optimize operations and minimize expenses. To achieve these goals, plant personnel rely heavily on data to drive decisions.
Executive Viewpoint: How to develop a successful asset management strategy during the coronavirus downturn
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted all sectors of the oil and gas industry, including asset management.
Improve the safety and efficiency of natural gas sweetening units
After natural gas is extracted from onshore and offshore sites, it must be transported and processed.
Base layer enhancement study for crude oil distillation process
Base layer control is one of the most important stages of a process control system hierarchy for refinery applications.
Piping and instrument diagrams (P&IDs): Part 2—Causes and management of change
It is difficult to categorize or group the many reasons for routine or late changes to a P&ID. Some causes are listed here.
Inspection: Establish an inspection plan for flare burners
Flares are prominent in hydrocarbon processing operations. From afar, they can be spotted burning with a high or low flame, supported by a tall steel structure

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- GameChange Solar secures 450-MWp order for green ammonia project in Oman 6/11
- Russia's offline primary oil refining capacity revised up 21% in July 6/11
- Borouge awards ADNOC L&S 15-year contract to accelerate growth of UAE petrochemical exports 6/11
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