This paper discusses different aspects of the optimization of the distribution of hydrogen in a petrol refinery through a network that connects production and consumption plants. Due to the lack of reliable information from the field measurements, a previous stage of data reconciliation is required. The hydrogen distribution problem can be formulated as a non-convex NLP one, which implies the p...

In the paper the problem of estimating the octane number of powerformed gasoline produced in a refinery is addressed. The model is designed in order to replace the existing measurement device during maintenance operation guaranteeing the continuity of product quality monitoring and control. Linear and nonlinear Moving Average models based on MLP neural networks have been designed to take into a...

Existing refinery distillation systems are highly energy-intensive, and have complex column configurations that interact strongly with the associated heat exchanger network. An optimisation approach is developed for existing refinery distillation processes. The optimisation framework includes shortcut models developed for the simulation of the existing distillation column, and a retrofit shortc...

Colour and turbidity measurement. An instrument has been designed to measure colour and turbidity using solid state light sources and sensors operating at 470 nni (blue) and 880 nni (infrared) respectively. It is intended to be a factory instrument suitable for detecting break through from filters and colour gain or loss over scctions of plant in a refinery. The measurements are exprcssed in ab...

Due to the successful use of the Saccharoflex 2000 reflectance measurement instrument on the estimation of refined sugar colour elsewhere in the world, it was decided by Tongaat-Hulett Sugar to evaluate the instrument at the refinery in Durban. Tests were carried out on first, second, third and fourth refined sugars, the results of which showed a good correlation between the ICUMSA colour measu...

This study examined the impact of Human Resource (HR) practices (selection, training, compensation, and appraisal) and participation on the financial performance of U.S. petrochemical refineries. Survey results from HR and Operations respondents indicated that appraisal and training were significantly related to workforce skills and that training and compensation were marginally related to work...

We present a methodology for automatic corrosion detection in digital images of carbon steel storage tanks and pipelines from a petroleum refinery. The database consists of optical digital images taken from equipments exposed to marine atmosphere during their operational life. This new approach focuses on color and texture descriptors to accomplish corroded and noncorroded surface area discrimi...

We present the prototype omVR, which is a Virtual Reality based safety training system in a petroleum refinery. It provides an advanced technique for personnel safety training and allows users to navigate through the training setup and interact with parts of the refinery. By using a head mounted display a high degree of immersion is achieved. omVR is the implementation of a training scenario, w...

The current study evaluates the performance of a pilot scale fed batch reactor (FBR), fo llowed by coagulation and sand filtration, for the treatment of an oil refinery wastewater. The total reductions in COD, BOD, oil contents and phenol were 95.11%, 94.30%, 99.47% and 100%, respectively, with FBR followed by coagulation and sand filtration. This FBR-coagulation-sand filtration treatment syste...

Due to the benefits reported on the use of continuous centrifugals in refineries elsewhere in the world, it was decided by Tongaat-Hulett Sugar Ltd to evaluate the Schultz, Tait and Greig (STG) continuous centrifugal at their sugar refinery in Durban, South Africa. This paper deals with the installation, commissioning and evaluation of the continuous centrifugal. Results of tests done on first ...