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Refining

EU approves Nynas takeover of Shell’s specialty oils refinery in Germany

The Commission said the Harburg refinery assets in the Hamburg region would be likely to close if there were no deal to buy them, which would significantly reduce production capacity in the European Economic Area, leading to higher prices for consumers of many oil-based products.

Asia refining margins remain weak on low demand

Margins are being pressured by simultaneous weakness across the barrel, with gasoline, gasoil and fuel oil cracks all deteriorating recently. The Singapore refining margin fell to its lowest level since late 2011.

Case history: Optimization of FCCU with multivariate statistical modeling

BASF Corp.: Keeley, C.  |  Mayol, J.  |  Riva, S.  |  Komvokis, V.  |  Bozukov, V.  |  Challis, S.
Lukoil Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez Refinery: Karpov, N. V.

Process models and simulation methods can be used to simulate the fluidized-bed catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) process.a,b Likewise, kinetic or multivariate statistical models have been used. Rigorous..

Processing shale oils in FCC: Challenges and opportunities

Grace Catalysts Technologies: Bryden, K. J.  |  Habib Jr., E. T.  |  Topete, O. A.

Detailed feed analysis and cracking studies aid refiners in understanding how best to optimize operations and maximize FCC value when processing shale oils.

Reduce salt corrosion rates with stronger base amines

Baker Hughes: Lack, J.  |  Harrell, B.

When processing discounted crude oils, one of the primary challenges refiners face is under-salt corrosion in crude unit distillation overhead systems.

Mitigate fouling in crude unit overhead—Part 1

CH2M Hill: Sloley, A. W.

In a refinery crude distillation column, up to 40% of the total heat removal may be found in the tower overhead condenser. The quantity of duty available makes heat integration (HI) between the column..

Use modeling to evaluate processing solutions for heavy oils

Invensys: McMullen, J.

To optimize processing and reduce design and operating costs, refiners should consider using accurate simulation models that are specifically tailored for heavy crudes.

Catalyst systems offer flexibility for hydroprocessing applications

Advanced Refining Technologies: Olsen, C. W.  |  Torchia, D.
Advanced Refining Technologies, LP: Shiflett, W. K.
Chevron Lummus Global: Brossard, D.

Refinersa re strongly motivated to evaluate and select premier catalyst systems for the production of both diesel products from their hydrocracking and diesel treating units.

Improved oxidation process increases sulfur recovery with Claus unit

GTC Technology US, LLC: Vazquez, R. G.  |  Seeger, D.  |  Thundyil, M.

Since its development in 1936, the “modified Claus” technology has been the preferred process used by refineries and gas processing plants for the recovery of sulfur from acid-gas streams. M..

Update: Russia’s capacity and modernization program

RAS, A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas: Levinbuk, M.
Gazprom Neft: Galkin, V. V.  |  Makhiyanov, V.

Since 2008, Russian regulations regarding the crude oil and refining industry have changed substantially. At present, Russia has 22 large refineries, each with an individual throughput capacity exceed..