“A man's thinking goes on within his consciousness in a seclusion in comparison with which any physical seclusion is an exhibition to public view.” -- Ludwig Wittgenstein
The Saudi Downstream Conference & Exhibition 2011 presents a fantastic opportunity for vendors of desulfurization technologies, not to mention all the other technologies required in the challenging downstream area of the oil and gas business.
As described in a LinkedIn group post …
“Join us on 8-9 March 2011 as we hold the first ever Saudi Downstream event supported by the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu together with the patronage of the Royal Custodian of the 2 Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his son HH Prince Saud. Meet with major gatekeepers, decision makers and influencers from the downstream industry within Saudi Arabia together with diplomatic relations from ministries worldwide. Companies to send senior delegation include Sabic, Saudi Aramco, Sumitomo Corporation, Shell, Exxon Mobil, Tasnee and many more!”
For more information contact Simon Gosling, sgosling@thecwcgroup.com
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The Conference begins on 8 March 2011. However … and this is VERY important, especially if you have never travelled to Saudi Arabia … you MUST provide all necessary documentation to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa BEFORE 7 January 2011.
The Conference Web provides more detail … here is the first bit of that detail.
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Visas
It is advised that delegates book early to ensure their visa is guaranteed.
Delegates and Exhibitors needing a visa invitation letter to apply for a Saudi Arabian visa MUST provide all of the following to The CWC Group before January 7th 2011:
1.A copy of your passport identity page.
2.If you are a Conference delegate: Your completed and paid Delegate Registration Form.
3.If you are an Exhibitor: Please download and complete this form.
4.A short letter on your company letterhead with a copy of your business card confirming your company’s support of your visit. A template letter can be found below.
When we have all the information, we will send you your letter of invitation to accompany your visa application. Please contact your local Embassy for your Visa Application Form and for any further details.
Evita Dossou Yovo
Tel: +44 20 7978 0039
Email: edossouyovo@thecwcgroup.com
Visit http://www.saudidownstream.com/index.php?id=venue_info for the rest of this important information.
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If you have ANY interest in doing business in Saudi Arabia, try to attend this Conference … and begin your application process TODAY.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Bookmark This … Linda H. Hall Research Service
“Hypothetical questions get hypothetical answers.” -- Joan Baez (American Singer and Song Writer, b.1941)
Let me pose a hypothetical … let’s say a colleague sends you the following abstract …
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Liquefied petroleum gas desulfurization by HTBN/PAN composite membrane
Jian Chen, Jinxun Chen, Jiding Li, Xiaolong Han, Xia Zhan, Cuixian Chen
Email: Jiding Li (lijiding@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn)
DOI: 10.1002/app.32145
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume 117, Issue 4, pages 2472–2479, 15 August 2010
Keywords:HTBN;PAN;desulfurization;liquefied petroleum gas;membranes
Abstract
Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene/acrylonitrile (HTBN) polymer material was selected for deep desulfurization of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) according to the solubility parameter method, and then crosslinked HTBN membranes were prepared, in which asymmetric polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes prepared with phase inversion method acted as the microporous supporting layer in the flat-plate composite membrane. The different function compositions of composite membranes were characterized by reflection FTIR in order to investigate the crosslinking reaction. The surface and section of composite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composite membranes prepared in this study were used in LPG for deep desulfurization. Effects of amount of HTBN and operation pressure on the desulfurization efficiency of LPG were investigated experimentally. Experiment results demonstrated that with the membrane having a HTBN layer of 11 μm, permeability parameter of methyl mercaptan came to 17,002 Barrer and that of hydrocarbon came to 504 Barrer at 30 wt % of HTBN and 0.25 MPa, which showed that the membrane used to desulfurization in LPG can achieve high-removal efficiency. These results demonstrated that the membrane separation method could be significant in practical application for deep desulfurization of LPG. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
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You are intrigued. You would like to find more articles describing the use of membranes to desulfurize petroleum feedstocks. But you are busy with 10 other projects. What can you do to leverage your time?
Contact your corporate librarian. That’s why your organization has a library … to leverage the time of professionals like you.
But what if your organization does not employ a librarian? Consider using an outside source, like the Linda Hall Library (LHL) (http://www.lindahall.org). The Linda Hall Library, a not-for-profit, privately funded institution, is the world's foremost independent research library devoted to science, engineering and technology. LHL Direct (http://www.lindahall.org/services/lhldirect/index.shtml offers research service at the rate of $50.00 / hour, plus online charges.
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Jean Steinhardt is an Independent Information Professional. Follow his Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for more online research tips and tricks … and invite your colleagues to do the same.
Let me pose a hypothetical … let’s say a colleague sends you the following abstract …
///////
Liquefied petroleum gas desulfurization by HTBN/PAN composite membrane
Jian Chen, Jinxun Chen, Jiding Li, Xiaolong Han, Xia Zhan, Cuixian Chen
Email: Jiding Li (lijiding@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn)
DOI: 10.1002/app.32145
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume 117, Issue 4, pages 2472–2479, 15 August 2010
Keywords:HTBN;PAN;desulfurization;liquefied petroleum gas;membranes
Abstract
Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene/acrylonitrile (HTBN) polymer material was selected for deep desulfurization of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) according to the solubility parameter method, and then crosslinked HTBN membranes were prepared, in which asymmetric polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes prepared with phase inversion method acted as the microporous supporting layer in the flat-plate composite membrane. The different function compositions of composite membranes were characterized by reflection FTIR in order to investigate the crosslinking reaction. The surface and section of composite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composite membranes prepared in this study were used in LPG for deep desulfurization. Effects of amount of HTBN and operation pressure on the desulfurization efficiency of LPG were investigated experimentally. Experiment results demonstrated that with the membrane having a HTBN layer of 11 μm, permeability parameter of methyl mercaptan came to 17,002 Barrer and that of hydrocarbon came to 504 Barrer at 30 wt % of HTBN and 0.25 MPa, which showed that the membrane used to desulfurization in LPG can achieve high-removal efficiency. These results demonstrated that the membrane separation method could be significant in practical application for deep desulfurization of LPG. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
///////
You are intrigued. You would like to find more articles describing the use of membranes to desulfurize petroleum feedstocks. But you are busy with 10 other projects. What can you do to leverage your time?
Contact your corporate librarian. That’s why your organization has a library … to leverage the time of professionals like you.
But what if your organization does not employ a librarian? Consider using an outside source, like the Linda Hall Library (LHL) (http://www.lindahall.org). The Linda Hall Library, a not-for-profit, privately funded institution, is the world's foremost independent research library devoted to science, engineering and technology. LHL Direct (http://www.lindahall.org/services/lhldirect/index.shtml offers research service at the rate of $50.00 / hour, plus online charges.
///////
Jean Steinhardt is an Independent Information Professional. Follow his Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for more online research tips and tricks … and invite your colleagues to do the same.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Beating the drum … Site Wide Access to Online Resources
“If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum” -- Chinese Proverb
Too often corporate management relegates acquisition of online database subscriptions to the IT department. This is a mistake. IT expertise is essential for ensuring the technology works, but IT is not equipped by training, experience, or desire, to evaluate, monitor, and negotiate for online databases like EbscoHost, ScienceDirect, LexisNexis, Platts, Argus, Dialog, and so on.
Librarians are so equipped. Online database providers recognize this. Here, for example, is the abstract of a promising article …
Chemical Communications
Isolated Cu(I) sites supported on β-cyclodextrin: an efficient π-complexation adsorbent for thiophene capture
Xue-Lin Song, Lin-Bing Sun, Gu-Se He and Xiao-Qin Liu
Chem. Commun., 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C0CC04587J , Communication
Ask your librarian to arrange site-wide access
Abstract
A novel π-complexation adsorbent is fabricated by grafting Cu(I)-containing molecule precursors onto β-cyclodextrin. The adsorbent provides a molecular-level dispersion of Cu(I), which is particularly beneficial to the adsorptive removal of aromatic sulfur thiophene, and is impossible to be realized through the conventional thermal method.
source: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/CC/c0cc04587j
Notice the invitation to “ask your librarian.” Why, you may wonder, do you need to involve a librarian in what appears to be a self-service situation? There are many reasons. Here is just one …
Monitoring usage
No matter how wonderful the database, if no one uses it, you are wasting your money. By monitoring usage, your librarian can determine whether to subscribe to a competing database instead. Or, he or she can decide to continue with the current database but will find ways to raise awareness of the database and to promote its use. Either way, your organization wins.
Follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for more winning search tips … and let your colleagues know.
Too often corporate management relegates acquisition of online database subscriptions to the IT department. This is a mistake. IT expertise is essential for ensuring the technology works, but IT is not equipped by training, experience, or desire, to evaluate, monitor, and negotiate for online databases like EbscoHost, ScienceDirect, LexisNexis, Platts, Argus, Dialog, and so on.
Librarians are so equipped. Online database providers recognize this. Here, for example, is the abstract of a promising article …
Chemical Communications
Isolated Cu(I) sites supported on β-cyclodextrin: an efficient π-complexation adsorbent for thiophene capture
Xue-Lin Song, Lin-Bing Sun, Gu-Se He and Xiao-Qin Liu
Chem. Commun., 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C0CC04587J , Communication
Ask your librarian to arrange site-wide access
Abstract
A novel π-complexation adsorbent is fabricated by grafting Cu(I)-containing molecule precursors onto β-cyclodextrin. The adsorbent provides a molecular-level dispersion of Cu(I), which is particularly beneficial to the adsorptive removal of aromatic sulfur thiophene, and is impossible to be realized through the conventional thermal method.
source: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/CC/c0cc04587j
Notice the invitation to “ask your librarian.” Why, you may wonder, do you need to involve a librarian in what appears to be a self-service situation? There are many reasons. Here is just one …
Monitoring usage
No matter how wonderful the database, if no one uses it, you are wasting your money. By monitoring usage, your librarian can determine whether to subscribe to a competing database instead. Or, he or she can decide to continue with the current database but will find ways to raise awareness of the database and to promote its use. Either way, your organization wins.
Follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for more winning search tips … and let your colleagues know.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Copy That … The Rat’s Nest of Copyright
“It is cheering to see that the rats are still around - the ship is not sinking” -- Eric Hoffer (American Writer, 1902-1983)
Copyright is a rat’s nest of unresolved issues. And the issues that are resolved have resulted in counterintuitive resolution. For example, let’s say you found, for a colleague, an article like the following …
///////
Gasoline alkylation desulfurization over Amberlyst 35 resin: Influence of methanol and apparent reaction kinetics
Fuel, Volume 90, Issue 2, February 2011, Pages 713-718
Benshuai Guo, Rong Wang, Yonghong Liyhli@tju.edu.cn
a Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
b National Engineering Research Center for Distillation Technology, Tianjin 300072, China
Abstract
Gasoline desulfurization is receiving attention worldwide due to the increasing stringent regulations on sulfur content for environmental protection purpose. As conventional hydrotreating technology leads to significant octane number loss and processing costs, the gasoline alkylation desulfurization process, which consists of weighing down the sulfuric compounds by catalytic alkylation with olefins present in the feed and distillation followed by, is a rather attractive way. In this paper, firstly alkylation of thiophenic compounds was researched over macroporous sulfonic resin Amberlyst 35 in methanol presence to increase the selectivity of catalyst, then kinetics of thiophenic sulfurs alkylation in FCC gasoline was researched without and with methanol. Results found that appropriate methanol (2 wt.% methanol in model gasoline and 1 wt.% methanol in FCC gasoline) could inhibit olefins oligomerization significantly without influence on the conversions of thiophenic compounds. The alkylation of thiophenic sulfurs could be described as pseudo first order reaction regardless of the existence of methanol. The introduction of methanol decreases the reaction rate constant and increases the activation energy of alkylation reactions.
Keywords: Alkylation; Desulfurization; Amberlyst 35; Thiophenic sulfurs; Kinetics///////
You purchase and download the article. Can you pass it on to your colleague, even if you yourself never intended to read it?
Maybe not. See what copyright expert Lesley Ellen Harris (http://www.copyrightlaws.com/) has to say on the matter.
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Excerpt from SLA 2010 Conference: Ask the Copyright Expert
Information Outlook, v. 14 No. 6, September 2010
"Q. I bought an electronic version of an article directly from a publisher ... is it considered individual use if I obtained the article on behalf of a fellow employee who is the end user?
"A. ... bottom line: read all agreements carefully."
///////
Or, how about this … you find, via Google or Yahoo!, the following article …
CATALYTIC CRACKING DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ROLE IN MODERN RUSSIAN REFINERY
Kovin A.S., Sitdikova A.V., Rakhimov M.N. Ufa State Petroleum Technological University
Problems of Russian refineries in face of new requirements for motor fuels considered in the article. It is made review of modern state and development plans of catalytic cracking in Russia. It is considered actual foreign and domestic technologies.
Keywords: сatalytic cracking process, FCC, ultimate gasoline, cracking catalyst, octane number
Oil and Gas Business, 2009 (http://www.ogbus.ru/eng/)
Can you include a hyperlink to the article in an inhouse newsletter distributed to colleagues within your organization? Hmmm … maybe not. Again, Ms. Harris’ take on the matter …
///////
Excerpt from SLA 2010 Conference: Ask the Copyright Expert
Information Outlook, v. 14 No. 6, September 2010
"Q. Is it acceptable to link to an internal page of a Web site?
"A. Cases settled out of court imply that linking to the home page of a site is permitted, but linking to an internal page of a site may require permission. This is a copyright risk management issue, and each organization should have its own policy governing linking to an internal page of a Web site."
///////
I believe that at some point in the distant future, the copyright concept will be replaced by some other mechanism which will standardize the way in which content consumers can access and share that content with others.
Until then, we have to rely on experts to guide us through the rats’ nest while avoiding the rats.
Ask your librarian or other information professional for help. These people grapple with copyright issues every day, and are attuned to the quirks and foibles of the system.
///////
Jean Steinhardt is an independent information professional … follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for tips and tricks on how to maximize your online search effectiveness.
Copyright is a rat’s nest of unresolved issues. And the issues that are resolved have resulted in counterintuitive resolution. For example, let’s say you found, for a colleague, an article like the following …
///////
Gasoline alkylation desulfurization over Amberlyst 35 resin: Influence of methanol and apparent reaction kinetics
Fuel, Volume 90, Issue 2, February 2011, Pages 713-718
Benshuai Guo, Rong Wang, Yonghong Liyhli@tju.edu.cn
a Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
b National Engineering Research Center for Distillation Technology, Tianjin 300072, China
Abstract
Gasoline desulfurization is receiving attention worldwide due to the increasing stringent regulations on sulfur content for environmental protection purpose. As conventional hydrotreating technology leads to significant octane number loss and processing costs, the gasoline alkylation desulfurization process, which consists of weighing down the sulfuric compounds by catalytic alkylation with olefins present in the feed and distillation followed by, is a rather attractive way. In this paper, firstly alkylation of thiophenic compounds was researched over macroporous sulfonic resin Amberlyst 35 in methanol presence to increase the selectivity of catalyst, then kinetics of thiophenic sulfurs alkylation in FCC gasoline was researched without and with methanol. Results found that appropriate methanol (2 wt.% methanol in model gasoline and 1 wt.% methanol in FCC gasoline) could inhibit olefins oligomerization significantly without influence on the conversions of thiophenic compounds. The alkylation of thiophenic sulfurs could be described as pseudo first order reaction regardless of the existence of methanol. The introduction of methanol decreases the reaction rate constant and increases the activation energy of alkylation reactions.
Keywords: Alkylation; Desulfurization; Amberlyst 35; Thiophenic sulfurs; Kinetics///////
You purchase and download the article. Can you pass it on to your colleague, even if you yourself never intended to read it?
Maybe not. See what copyright expert Lesley Ellen Harris (http://www.copyrightlaws.com/) has to say on the matter.
///////
Excerpt from SLA 2010 Conference: Ask the Copyright Expert
Information Outlook, v. 14 No. 6, September 2010
"Q. I bought an electronic version of an article directly from a publisher ... is it considered individual use if I obtained the article on behalf of a fellow employee who is the end user?
"A. ... bottom line: read all agreements carefully."
///////
Or, how about this … you find, via Google or Yahoo!, the following article …
CATALYTIC CRACKING DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ROLE IN MODERN RUSSIAN REFINERY
Kovin A.S., Sitdikova A.V., Rakhimov M.N. Ufa State Petroleum Technological University
Problems of Russian refineries in face of new requirements for motor fuels considered in the article. It is made review of modern state and development plans of catalytic cracking in Russia. It is considered actual foreign and domestic technologies.
Keywords: сatalytic cracking process, FCC, ultimate gasoline, cracking catalyst, octane number
Oil and Gas Business, 2009 (http://www.ogbus.ru/eng/)
Can you include a hyperlink to the article in an inhouse newsletter distributed to colleagues within your organization? Hmmm … maybe not. Again, Ms. Harris’ take on the matter …
///////
Excerpt from SLA 2010 Conference: Ask the Copyright Expert
Information Outlook, v. 14 No. 6, September 2010
"Q. Is it acceptable to link to an internal page of a Web site?
"A. Cases settled out of court imply that linking to the home page of a site is permitted, but linking to an internal page of a site may require permission. This is a copyright risk management issue, and each organization should have its own policy governing linking to an internal page of a Web site."
///////
I believe that at some point in the distant future, the copyright concept will be replaced by some other mechanism which will standardize the way in which content consumers can access and share that content with others.
Until then, we have to rely on experts to guide us through the rats’ nest while avoiding the rats.
Ask your librarian or other information professional for help. These people grapple with copyright issues every day, and are attuned to the quirks and foibles of the system.
///////
Jean Steinhardt is an independent information professional … follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for tips and tricks on how to maximize your online search effectiveness.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Abstractions … Consider your audience
“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.” -- Albert Einstein (German born American Physicist, 1921. 1879-1955)
“I've been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it.” -- Stephen Wright (American Actor and Writer, b.1955)
As an expert online researcher, a large part of my job is to filter research results for my clients so they can use their valuable time on technical research. Since my clients occupy a broad range of specialties, filtration can be a real challenge. I rely on abstracts … and many of those abstracts have been written for the cognoscenti.
The easier it is for me and other information professionals to determine whether your article fits our clients’ needs, the more likely it is to be included in the results we present to the client.
So, the next time you author an article, broaden your vision of your potential audience. Write your abstract to be accessible not only to your fellow experts, but to non-experts, as well. The extra effort will benefit them, which ultimately will benefit you.
Here, for example, are a couple of abstracts to illustrate the point …
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Organic Geochemistry
Volume 31, Issue 10, October 2000, Pages 977-1003
Abiotic oxidation of petroleum bitumens under natural conditions
A. Charrié-Duhaut (a), S. Lemoine (a), P. Adam (a), J. Connan (b) and P. Albrecht (albrecht@chimie.u-strasbg.fr)(a)
a Laboratoire de Géochimie Organique, UMR 7509 du CNRS, Institut de Chimie, Université Louis Pasteur, 1 rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
b Centre de Recherches, Elf Exploration Production, 64000 Pau, France
Abstract
Five series of crude oil samples exposed to atmospheric conditions have been analysed at the molecular level, each series comprising several samples originating from the same crude oil but altered to different extents. The aim of our investigation was to compare the specific impact of abiotic oxidation to other alteration processes such as biodegradation, evaporation and water washing. Bulk analyses revealed that increasing alteration is accompanied by an increase in oxygen content which parallels a relative increase of the proportions, as well as of the molecular weights of the macromolecular constituents of the bitumens. Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analyses of polar fractions showed the presence of oxygen-containing compounds (steroid ketones, benzothiophenic acids and sulfones) which result from oxidation of petroleum lipids. The hypothesis that part of these oxygenated compounds results from abiotic oxidation processes rather than from biodegradation is supported, notably, by the fact that oxygen incorporation generally occurred without any diastereomeric discrimination. This is also supported by simulation experiments performed on petroleum lipids, which showed that abiotic oxidation induces cleavage reactions affecting C–C and C–S bonds which may intervene in the transformation of geomacromolecules in the environment by degradation (“depolymerization”). Thus abiotic oxidation may play a major role in the fate of petroleum pollutants in the environment by transforming lipidic organic matter from petroleum into more water soluble and, therefore, more biodegradable constituents. However, these can be more toxic to the environment as the water-soluble fraction may be easily taken up by biota.
Author Keywords: Abiotic oxidation; Biodegradation; Water washing; Geomacromolecules; Simulation experiments; Bitumen; Biomarkers
source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V7P-41CX9FY-3&_user=10&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F2000&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1568249789&_rerunOrigin=scholar.google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=a1ef395df08dad79648caf77ec11a8c3&searchtype=a
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PAPER: 2001-122
Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology
September 2004, Volume 43, No. 9
Estimation of SARA Fraction Properties With the SRK EOS
K. AKBARZADEH
University of Calgary
S. AYATOLLAHI
Shiraz University
M. MOSHFEGHIAN
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
H. ALBOUDWAREJ, H.W. YARRANTON
University of Calgary
Abstract
One approach to modelling asphaltene solubility is regular solution theory. The key parameters for this approach are the molar volume and solubility parameters of each constituent. However, these parameters are largely unknown for crude oils. Some authors have used cubic equations of state (CEOS) to estimate the solubility parameters and molar volumes of solvents and C fractions, but CEOS have yet to be applied in this way to asphaltenes due to their high molar mass and unknown critical properties.
In this work, a modified Soave-Redlich-Kwong EOS with the Peneloux correction is used to estimate the molar volumes and solubility parameter of the four solubility classes (saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes) of bitumens. The EOS is modified for the asphaltenes, which are assumed to be polymeric-like compounds consisting of aggregates of monodisperse asphaltene monomers. Correlations are developed for the critical properties and acentric factor of each solubility class. The EOS-predicted properties are tested against density measurements of SARA fractions from several bitumens. The predicted parameters are used to determine the onset of asphaltene precipitation from bitumen upon the addition of heptane and the predictions are compared with measured onsets.
Source: http://home.shirazu.ac.ir/~eor/pdf/Jornals/14.j.Canadi.Petro.Technol.pdf
///////
Visit Jean’s LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch … Invite him to join your network.
“I've been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it.” -- Stephen Wright (American Actor and Writer, b.1955)
As an expert online researcher, a large part of my job is to filter research results for my clients so they can use their valuable time on technical research. Since my clients occupy a broad range of specialties, filtration can be a real challenge. I rely on abstracts … and many of those abstracts have been written for the cognoscenti.
The easier it is for me and other information professionals to determine whether your article fits our clients’ needs, the more likely it is to be included in the results we present to the client.
So, the next time you author an article, broaden your vision of your potential audience. Write your abstract to be accessible not only to your fellow experts, but to non-experts, as well. The extra effort will benefit them, which ultimately will benefit you.
Here, for example, are a couple of abstracts to illustrate the point …
///////
Organic Geochemistry
Volume 31, Issue 10, October 2000, Pages 977-1003
Abiotic oxidation of petroleum bitumens under natural conditions
A. Charrié-Duhaut (a), S. Lemoine (a), P. Adam (a), J. Connan (b) and P. Albrecht (albrecht@chimie.u-strasbg.fr)(a)
a Laboratoire de Géochimie Organique, UMR 7509 du CNRS, Institut de Chimie, Université Louis Pasteur, 1 rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
b Centre de Recherches, Elf Exploration Production, 64000 Pau, France
Abstract
Five series of crude oil samples exposed to atmospheric conditions have been analysed at the molecular level, each series comprising several samples originating from the same crude oil but altered to different extents. The aim of our investigation was to compare the specific impact of abiotic oxidation to other alteration processes such as biodegradation, evaporation and water washing. Bulk analyses revealed that increasing alteration is accompanied by an increase in oxygen content which parallels a relative increase of the proportions, as well as of the molecular weights of the macromolecular constituents of the bitumens. Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analyses of polar fractions showed the presence of oxygen-containing compounds (steroid ketones, benzothiophenic acids and sulfones) which result from oxidation of petroleum lipids. The hypothesis that part of these oxygenated compounds results from abiotic oxidation processes rather than from biodegradation is supported, notably, by the fact that oxygen incorporation generally occurred without any diastereomeric discrimination. This is also supported by simulation experiments performed on petroleum lipids, which showed that abiotic oxidation induces cleavage reactions affecting C–C and C–S bonds which may intervene in the transformation of geomacromolecules in the environment by degradation (“depolymerization”). Thus abiotic oxidation may play a major role in the fate of petroleum pollutants in the environment by transforming lipidic organic matter from petroleum into more water soluble and, therefore, more biodegradable constituents. However, these can be more toxic to the environment as the water-soluble fraction may be easily taken up by biota.
Author Keywords: Abiotic oxidation; Biodegradation; Water washing; Geomacromolecules; Simulation experiments; Bitumen; Biomarkers
source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V7P-41CX9FY-3&_user=10&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F2000&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1568249789&_rerunOrigin=scholar.google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=a1ef395df08dad79648caf77ec11a8c3&searchtype=a
///////
PAPER: 2001-122
Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology
September 2004, Volume 43, No. 9
Estimation of SARA Fraction Properties With the SRK EOS
K. AKBARZADEH
University of Calgary
S. AYATOLLAHI
Shiraz University
M. MOSHFEGHIAN
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
H. ALBOUDWAREJ, H.W. YARRANTON
University of Calgary
Abstract
One approach to modelling asphaltene solubility is regular solution theory. The key parameters for this approach are the molar volume and solubility parameters of each constituent. However, these parameters are largely unknown for crude oils. Some authors have used cubic equations of state (CEOS) to estimate the solubility parameters and molar volumes of solvents and C fractions, but CEOS have yet to be applied in this way to asphaltenes due to their high molar mass and unknown critical properties.
In this work, a modified Soave-Redlich-Kwong EOS with the Peneloux correction is used to estimate the molar volumes and solubility parameter of the four solubility classes (saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes) of bitumens. The EOS is modified for the asphaltenes, which are assumed to be polymeric-like compounds consisting of aggregates of monodisperse asphaltene monomers. Correlations are developed for the critical properties and acentric factor of each solubility class. The EOS-predicted properties are tested against density measurements of SARA fractions from several bitumens. The predicted parameters are used to determine the onset of asphaltene precipitation from bitumen upon the addition of heptane and the predictions are compared with measured onsets.
Source: http://home.shirazu.ac.ir/~eor/pdf/Jornals/14.j.Canadi.Petro.Technol.pdf
///////
Visit Jean’s LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch … Invite him to join your network.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Not to Belabor the Point … More on vendor negotiation
(verb) belabor, belabour
to work at or to absurd length
"belabor the obvious"
source: http://www.definitions.net
A previous post highlighted points to consider when negotiating with online database vendors. This may seem to be a trivial point to some … negotiation is negotiation. As librarian for Aramco Services, a Saudi Aramco subsidiary, I spent a lot of time working with our contract specialists. They understood contracts and negotiation. But they were not clear on exactly what was to be negotiated. My experience with a range of online resources helped us, as a team, deliver the best value for the Saud Aramco enterprise.
So, if you want to be able to find, at a reasonable price, the full text of articles like the following …
///////
Structural Studies of Vacuum Gas Oil Distillate Fractions of Kuwaiti Crude Oil by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Fatima Ali,† Zahida Hameed Khan,*‡ and Nargis Ghaloum‡
Central Analytical Labrotories and Petroleum Refining Department, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, PO Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
Energy Fuels, 2004, 18 (6), pp 1798–1805
DOI: 10.1021/ef040004f
Publication Date (Web): October 15, 2004
Copyright © 2004 American Chemical Society
Abstract
Nitrogen-free vacuum gas oil (VGO) distillate was separated, using preparative column chromatography, into five hydrocarbon groups: saturates (SAs), monoaromatics (MAs), diaromatics (DAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCAHs), and polar hydrocarbons (POLHs). The hydrocarbon groups MA, DA, PCAH, and POLH were separated into low- and high-sulfur compounds (LSCs and HSCs, respectively) on silica gel impregnated with PdCl2 (aqueous). SAs and LSCs obtained from MAs, DAs, PACHs, and POLHs were further fractionated into subfractions using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), based on their molecular size in solution. All the GPC subfractions were analyzed for elemental carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur, and for molecular weight. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques also were applied to elucidate the average molecular structure of selected GPC subfractions, POLHs, and HSCs. The SAs had average alkyl chain lengths of n = 13−15 and two naphthenic rings, and they were free of aromatics. The average molecule in the three groups (MAs, DAs, and PCAHs) contained (i) one aromatic ring, two cyclo-paraffinic rings, two alkyl groups on aromatic rings, and no bridged aromatic carbon; (ii) two aromatic rings, two naphthenic rings, five alkyl-substituted groups, and two bridged aromatic C atoms; or (iii) three aromatic rings, one naphthenic ring, four bridged aromatic C atoms, and four alkyl-substituents attached to the aromatic or naphthenic ring(s), with an average chain length of seven C atoms. The average molecule of the POLH group contained one S atom, four aromatic rings, four naphthenic rings, five bridged aromatic C atoms and four alkyl substituents attached to the aromatic or naphthenic ring with an average chain length of seven C atoms.
source: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ef040004f
///////
… if, as I say, that’s what you want, you have two choices …
1) Hire a librarian or other information professional to identify resources and negotiate terms, or …
2) Do it yourself
If you choose to do it yourself, you might want to read the article below (to read the full text, follow the link at the end of the excerpt).
///////
Vendor Pitfalls in Negotiating Large Multi-Year Contracts - or How to Lose a Million Dollar Contract
By Elaine Billingslea Dockens, Published on June 21, 2009
[Excerpt]
Introduction
This article is dedicated to the many professional vendor representatives (VRs) that I've worked with over the years. These are the reps who showed up prepared to do business each time they visited. During contract negotiations they honored themselves, the companies they represented and me by "bringing their A game" and being totally prepared to fully negotiate.
Many of the products they represent are sold by multi-year contracts and are negotiated at annual intervals. During negotiations my goal is to control expenses and look for discounts (and still keep a quality product). The goal of the VRs include obtaining or retaining our business and making a reasonable profit. When we both - firm and vendor - come to the table prepared to get the very best deal for our side, then everybody wins. However, if one of the parties arrives at the table ill prepared - we both lose. The vendor will probably lose the business they could have obtained or retained and the firm loses the chance to seriously consider the vendor in comparison to other vendors.
Below are comments on selected VR behaviors that I've witnessed over the years that substantially decreased the success of the VRs to obtain or retain our business. Hopefully these comments will serve as a guide to reaching a satisfactory conclusion to multi-year contract negotiations.
Ideas to Improve Contract Negotiations
1. Come Prepared: Know your product
2. Get to know your contact at the firm
3. Know exactly what is being negotiated
4. Avoid Customer Politics
5. Playing hardball. Statements like "we will not do X" accompanied by a non-blinking demeanor and the refusal to consider new ideas can quickly sour negotiations
6. Wasting valuable time
7. Mesmerized by their own product
8. VR Misstatements - Protect your credibility
Source: http://www.llrx.com/features/vendornegotiating.htm
to work at or to absurd length
"belabor the obvious"
source: http://www.definitions.net
A previous post highlighted points to consider when negotiating with online database vendors. This may seem to be a trivial point to some … negotiation is negotiation. As librarian for Aramco Services, a Saudi Aramco subsidiary, I spent a lot of time working with our contract specialists. They understood contracts and negotiation. But they were not clear on exactly what was to be negotiated. My experience with a range of online resources helped us, as a team, deliver the best value for the Saud Aramco enterprise.
So, if you want to be able to find, at a reasonable price, the full text of articles like the following …
///////
Structural Studies of Vacuum Gas Oil Distillate Fractions of Kuwaiti Crude Oil by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Fatima Ali,† Zahida Hameed Khan,*‡ and Nargis Ghaloum‡
Central Analytical Labrotories and Petroleum Refining Department, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, PO Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
Energy Fuels, 2004, 18 (6), pp 1798–1805
DOI: 10.1021/ef040004f
Publication Date (Web): October 15, 2004
Copyright © 2004 American Chemical Society
Abstract
Nitrogen-free vacuum gas oil (VGO) distillate was separated, using preparative column chromatography, into five hydrocarbon groups: saturates (SAs), monoaromatics (MAs), diaromatics (DAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCAHs), and polar hydrocarbons (POLHs). The hydrocarbon groups MA, DA, PCAH, and POLH were separated into low- and high-sulfur compounds (LSCs and HSCs, respectively) on silica gel impregnated with PdCl2 (aqueous). SAs and LSCs obtained from MAs, DAs, PACHs, and POLHs were further fractionated into subfractions using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), based on their molecular size in solution. All the GPC subfractions were analyzed for elemental carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur, and for molecular weight. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques also were applied to elucidate the average molecular structure of selected GPC subfractions, POLHs, and HSCs. The SAs had average alkyl chain lengths of n = 13−15 and two naphthenic rings, and they were free of aromatics. The average molecule in the three groups (MAs, DAs, and PCAHs) contained (i) one aromatic ring, two cyclo-paraffinic rings, two alkyl groups on aromatic rings, and no bridged aromatic carbon; (ii) two aromatic rings, two naphthenic rings, five alkyl-substituted groups, and two bridged aromatic C atoms; or (iii) three aromatic rings, one naphthenic ring, four bridged aromatic C atoms, and four alkyl-substituents attached to the aromatic or naphthenic ring(s), with an average chain length of seven C atoms. The average molecule of the POLH group contained one S atom, four aromatic rings, four naphthenic rings, five bridged aromatic C atoms and four alkyl substituents attached to the aromatic or naphthenic ring with an average chain length of seven C atoms.
source: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ef040004f
///////
… if, as I say, that’s what you want, you have two choices …
1) Hire a librarian or other information professional to identify resources and negotiate terms, or …
2) Do it yourself
If you choose to do it yourself, you might want to read the article below (to read the full text, follow the link at the end of the excerpt).
///////
Vendor Pitfalls in Negotiating Large Multi-Year Contracts - or How to Lose a Million Dollar Contract
By Elaine Billingslea Dockens, Published on June 21, 2009
[Excerpt]
Introduction
This article is dedicated to the many professional vendor representatives (VRs) that I've worked with over the years. These are the reps who showed up prepared to do business each time they visited. During contract negotiations they honored themselves, the companies they represented and me by "bringing their A game" and being totally prepared to fully negotiate.
Many of the products they represent are sold by multi-year contracts and are negotiated at annual intervals. During negotiations my goal is to control expenses and look for discounts (and still keep a quality product). The goal of the VRs include obtaining or retaining our business and making a reasonable profit. When we both - firm and vendor - come to the table prepared to get the very best deal for our side, then everybody wins. However, if one of the parties arrives at the table ill prepared - we both lose. The vendor will probably lose the business they could have obtained or retained and the firm loses the chance to seriously consider the vendor in comparison to other vendors.
Below are comments on selected VR behaviors that I've witnessed over the years that substantially decreased the success of the VRs to obtain or retain our business. Hopefully these comments will serve as a guide to reaching a satisfactory conclusion to multi-year contract negotiations.
Ideas to Improve Contract Negotiations
1. Come Prepared: Know your product
2. Get to know your contact at the firm
3. Know exactly what is being negotiated
4. Avoid Customer Politics
5. Playing hardball. Statements like "we will not do X" accompanied by a non-blinking demeanor and the refusal to consider new ideas can quickly sour negotiations
6. Wasting valuable time
7. Mesmerized by their own product
8. VR Misstatements - Protect your credibility
Source: http://www.llrx.com/features/vendornegotiating.htm
Monday, November 29, 2010
Everything’s Negotiable … Negotiating Contracts with Database Vendors
“The freedom of the city is not negotiable. We cannot negotiate with those who say, "What's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable."” -- John Fitzgerald Kennedy (American 35th US President (1961-63), 1917-1963)
Access to online databases is essential in any serious enterprise … especially so for scientists and engineers engaged in serious research. One good reason to employ a librarian or some other information professional is to get the best terms possible in negotiating subscription and licensing fees with database providers.
Here, for example, is an interesting looking article that turned up in a search of Elsevier’s ScienceDirect online resource …
///////
Optimization of oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene using acidic ionic liquid as catalytic solvent
Original Research Article
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology, Volume 37, Issue 2, April 2009, Pages 194-198
Di-shun ZHAO, Zhi-min SUN, Fa-tang LI, Hai-dan SHAN
Purchase PDF
Abstract
The oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in n-octane as model oil with Brönsted acidic ionic liquids (ILs) N-methyl-pyrrolidonium phosphate ([Hnmp]H2PO4) as catalytic solvent and H2O2 as oxidant was optimized by orthogonal experiments. 99.8% of DBT in the model oil was removed under the optimal conditions of molar ratio of H2O2 to sulfur of 16:1, reaction temperature of 60°C, reaction time of 5 h, and volume ratio of model oil to ILs of 1:1. The desulfurization efficiency of actual diesel was 64.3% under the optimized conditions. The influences of the desulfurization efficiency of DBT decreased in the following order: oxidation temperature > oxidation time> molar ratio of H2O2/sulfur (O/S) > volume ratio of [Hnmp]H2PO4 to model oil (VIL/Vmodel oil), according to extreme analysis of orthogonal test. The IL [Hnmp]H2PO4 can be recycled six times without a significant decrease in activity.///////
The two easiest ways to get a full copy of the article are to purchase a PDF for download, or, if you’re a subscriber, to download a copy at no (extra) charge.
Librarians use their experience with a broad range of online databases to identify the best mix of database subscriptions for a particular organization … and then to negotiate the best terms.
If your organization does not employ an information professional, you can do it yourself … but it will take time to understand the nuances of a vendor’s “standard” agreement. Here is a useful document to get you started.
///////
Negotiating Contracts with Database Vendors
By Richard W. Boss, Information Systems Consultants Inc.
Posted October 23, 2003
The article, which is available for free download, lists the main points to consider before signing a vendor agreement. Here is a selection from the article …
Coverage
“What is actually included? If the database is an online version of a print product, any difference between the print and online products should be spelled out. If it is a database of journals, the contract should include an itemized schedule of the titles, years of coverage, and format (full-text or image). It is a good idea to ascertain whether the package can be modified to exclude subject areas or specific titles that do not meet the needs of the library.”Coverage Creep
“Most products are not static. It is typical for the coverage to expand each year because the amount of available information increases, but also because many products are packages of several products that are frequently modified. This is particularly true with full-text databases of journals. There should, therefore, be an effort to control "coverage creep." If it is not possible to limit the product to that which was initially negotiated, there should be a cap on the price increases that may be associated with broadened coverage. At a minimum, there should be a formula that limits the price increase to the same percentage as that which the expansion in coverage represents.”
Updating Frequency
“Even more important than the frequency of updates is the time lag between initial production and availability for online access. It should be spelled out. An online product should be available no later than the print product.”
Some other points to consider …
• Archive
• Duration of Contract
• Eligible Users
• Authentication
• Statistics
• Features
• Producer Licenses
• Pricing Formula
• Alternatives to Subscriptions
• Escalator Clause
• Cancellation
source: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plapublications/platechnotes/negotiating.pdf
///////
Access to online databases is essential in any serious enterprise … especially so for scientists and engineers engaged in serious research. One good reason to employ a librarian or some other information professional is to get the best terms possible in negotiating subscription and licensing fees with database providers.
Here, for example, is an interesting looking article that turned up in a search of Elsevier’s ScienceDirect online resource …
///////
Optimization of oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene using acidic ionic liquid as catalytic solvent
Original Research Article
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology, Volume 37, Issue 2, April 2009, Pages 194-198
Di-shun ZHAO, Zhi-min SUN, Fa-tang LI, Hai-dan SHAN
Purchase PDF
Abstract
The oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in n-octane as model oil with Brönsted acidic ionic liquids (ILs) N-methyl-pyrrolidonium phosphate ([Hnmp]H2PO4) as catalytic solvent and H2O2 as oxidant was optimized by orthogonal experiments. 99.8% of DBT in the model oil was removed under the optimal conditions of molar ratio of H2O2 to sulfur of 16:1, reaction temperature of 60°C, reaction time of 5 h, and volume ratio of model oil to ILs of 1:1. The desulfurization efficiency of actual diesel was 64.3% under the optimized conditions. The influences of the desulfurization efficiency of DBT decreased in the following order: oxidation temperature > oxidation time> molar ratio of H2O2/sulfur (O/S) > volume ratio of [Hnmp]H2PO4 to model oil (VIL/Vmodel oil), according to extreme analysis of orthogonal test. The IL [Hnmp]H2PO4 can be recycled six times without a significant decrease in activity.///////
The two easiest ways to get a full copy of the article are to purchase a PDF for download, or, if you’re a subscriber, to download a copy at no (extra) charge.
Librarians use their experience with a broad range of online databases to identify the best mix of database subscriptions for a particular organization … and then to negotiate the best terms.
If your organization does not employ an information professional, you can do it yourself … but it will take time to understand the nuances of a vendor’s “standard” agreement. Here is a useful document to get you started.
///////
Negotiating Contracts with Database Vendors
By Richard W. Boss, Information Systems Consultants Inc.
Posted October 23, 2003
The article, which is available for free download, lists the main points to consider before signing a vendor agreement. Here is a selection from the article …
Coverage
“What is actually included? If the database is an online version of a print product, any difference between the print and online products should be spelled out. If it is a database of journals, the contract should include an itemized schedule of the titles, years of coverage, and format (full-text or image). It is a good idea to ascertain whether the package can be modified to exclude subject areas or specific titles that do not meet the needs of the library.”Coverage Creep
“Most products are not static. It is typical for the coverage to expand each year because the amount of available information increases, but also because many products are packages of several products that are frequently modified. This is particularly true with full-text databases of journals. There should, therefore, be an effort to control "coverage creep." If it is not possible to limit the product to that which was initially negotiated, there should be a cap on the price increases that may be associated with broadened coverage. At a minimum, there should be a formula that limits the price increase to the same percentage as that which the expansion in coverage represents.”
Updating Frequency
“Even more important than the frequency of updates is the time lag between initial production and availability for online access. It should be spelled out. An online product should be available no later than the print product.”
Some other points to consider …
• Archive
• Duration of Contract
• Eligible Users
• Authentication
• Statistics
• Features
• Producer Licenses
• Pricing Formula
• Alternatives to Subscriptions
• Escalator Clause
• Cancellation
source: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plapublications/platechnotes/negotiating.pdf
///////
Thursday, November 25, 2010
At the Core ... Working With Your Librarian
“Sing then the core of dark and absolute oblivion where the soul at last is lost in utter peace.” -- D.H. Lawrence (British Poet, Novelist and Essayist, 1885-1930)
I have worked with engineers most of my professional life. Most of them thought they were smarter than me. Some of them actually were. But, despite my deficient intelligence, in every case I was able to help them find the information they needed to do their work.
Not that they could not have found the information themselves … but I could find it more quickly, allowing them to spend their valuable time on the work they had been hired to perform.
That said, you can help your librarian or research assistant help you by educating him or her on key words and concepts related to your topic of interest. The small amount of time you spend on the education process will yield huge benefits to you down the line.
Begin the education process by providing one or more Core Documents. Core documents provide in concise and easy to digest terms the key words and concepts that someone new to your topic can use to construct search strategies that will unearth items that can be useful to your research effort.
Obviously your information professional can find such core documents on his or her own … but if you are already aware of significant articles or dissertations, help the information professional help you by suggesting the core documents as a preliminary step.
Dissertations, in many cases, make ideal Core Documents. A typical dissertation begins with a detailed abstract of the work performed by the doctoral candidate. He or she has to display both a knowledge of the topic of the dissertation, and the significance of the candidate’s work. The abstract, therefore, contains just the sort of key words and concepts that can be used by an online researcher to identify and locate other documents of interest to your research team.
Here is an example of what I am talking about …
////////
Desulfurization of Hydrocarbon Fuels at Ambient Conditions Using Supported Silver Oxide-Titania Sorbents
Dissertation by Sachin Appukuttan Nair
A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Auburn, Alabama December 13, 2010
Bruce J Tatarchuk, Chair, Professor Director of Chemical Engineering
Yoon Y Lee, Alumni Professor of Chemical Engineering
William Ashurst, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering
Dong-Joo (Daniel) Kim, Associate Professor of Materials Engineering
Abstract
Sulfur in refined fuels is considered a significant cause for atmospheric pollution such as acid rain and smog. Sulfur is also a poison for electrocatalysts in fuel cells and catalysts in hydrocarbon refining and reformation processes. Thus sulfur removal is essential for large scale production of transportation fuels as well as in smaller scales for mobile and stationary fuel cell and reforming applications. Hydro desulfurization (HDS) is the most prevalent desulfurization technology used currently. Several alternative technologies have been reported to be effective in sulfur removal from liquids such as catalytic oxidation, biological sulfur removal and membrane separation. The presented work focuses on the formulation, optimization and mechanistic investigations of adsorptive desulfurization adsorbents for liquid fuels at ambient conditions. Dispersed silver oxides on supports such as TiO 2 , γ-Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 were observed to be effective desulfurizing agents for refined fuels at ambient conditions. Among the supports, TiO 2 was found to be the most stable. Using titanium oxide of varying surface characteristics, it was determined that sulfur capacity corresponded to the specific surface area. Increasing the Ag loading on the support was observed to decrease dispersion and simultaneously decrease the sulfur capacity. At 4 Wt.% Ag loading, the sulfur capacity of the sorbent was 6.3 mgS/g for JP5 fuel containing 1172 ppmw sulfur. The sorbent composition was thermally regenerated (450:C) to 10 cycles using air as a stripping medium. Variation in desulfurization efficiency between JP5, JP8 and a lighter fraction of JP5 was established and correlated to the variation in sulfur speciation of the fuels. Lower concentration of trimethyl benzothiophenes in the lighter fraction JP5 resulted in the highest sulfur capacity demonstrated by Ag/TiO 2 . These studies on performance, effects of composition, fuel chemistry and regeneration procedures are presented in Chapter III. With the composition and performance of the sorbent established, synthesis procedures were optimized considering impregnation, drying and calcination stages. The effect of synthesis conditions on the sulfur capacity was correlated to the resulting pore structure and dispersion of Ag (Chapter IV). Incipient wetness among the various impregnation techniques resulted in the highest sulfur capacity. Calcination temperatures above 500 :C were observed to degrade the pore structure and thus lower the sulfur capacity of the sorbent. Characterization techniques such as BET surface area measurements, oxygen chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), ultraviolet spectroscopy were used to study the adsorbent composition. The variation in the oxidation state of Ag with weight loading was determined using TPR and thermogravimetry. At 4% Ag loading approximately 28% of the deposited Ag was found to exist as the oxide. Lowering the metal loading significantly increased the dispersion. These dispersed Ag oxides were observed to be stable to temperatures of 550:C. UV spectroscopy showed absorption bands representing oxides of Ag while bands representing metallic Ag were absent. It was therefore concluded that a majority of the Ag at the adsorption interface existed in the oxide phase. This indicated an alternative mechanism of sulfur removal compared to other transition metal based sorbents where the active material is considered to be the metal ion. Several aspects to be considered during the scale-up of adsorption units such as bed configuration, liquid face velocity and bed temperature and the effect on sulfur capacity was addressed as well. Having established the composition of the sorbent with respect to the oxidation state of Ag present, the dispersion of Ag and pore structure, several studies were carried out to determine the mechanism of sulfur removal in these materials (Chapter V & VI). Variation in desulfurization efficiency between sulfur aromatics varying in structure aspects such as aromaticity and presence of side chains were linked to the chemistry of the active center. These studies established that the active centers were acidic in nature. Probe molecules were used to poison the active centers and subjected to desulfurization studies. Surface complexes formed from the probe molecules were also identified using IR spectroscopy. These experiments indicated that the surface group responsible for the sulfur capacity was single or geminal hydroxyl groups. Equilibrium isotherms were also established for thiophene, benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene and 46 dimethyl dibenzothiophene at 22, 40 and 60:C and fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Fritz-Schlunder models (Chapter VII). The adsorption data followed the Langmuir model indicating that sulfur removal was effected by associative physical adsorption.
source: http://etd.auburn.edu/etd/bitstream/handle/10415/2371/Sachin%20Nair_Dissertation_ETD%20Rev2_PD5.pdf?sequence=2
///////
A core resource to consider is the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/ … follow it and recommend it to colleagues and friends.
I have worked with engineers most of my professional life. Most of them thought they were smarter than me. Some of them actually were. But, despite my deficient intelligence, in every case I was able to help them find the information they needed to do their work.
Not that they could not have found the information themselves … but I could find it more quickly, allowing them to spend their valuable time on the work they had been hired to perform.
That said, you can help your librarian or research assistant help you by educating him or her on key words and concepts related to your topic of interest. The small amount of time you spend on the education process will yield huge benefits to you down the line.
Begin the education process by providing one or more Core Documents. Core documents provide in concise and easy to digest terms the key words and concepts that someone new to your topic can use to construct search strategies that will unearth items that can be useful to your research effort.
Obviously your information professional can find such core documents on his or her own … but if you are already aware of significant articles or dissertations, help the information professional help you by suggesting the core documents as a preliminary step.
Dissertations, in many cases, make ideal Core Documents. A typical dissertation begins with a detailed abstract of the work performed by the doctoral candidate. He or she has to display both a knowledge of the topic of the dissertation, and the significance of the candidate’s work. The abstract, therefore, contains just the sort of key words and concepts that can be used by an online researcher to identify and locate other documents of interest to your research team.
Here is an example of what I am talking about …
////////
Desulfurization of Hydrocarbon Fuels at Ambient Conditions Using Supported Silver Oxide-Titania Sorbents
Dissertation by Sachin Appukuttan Nair
A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Auburn, Alabama December 13, 2010
Bruce J Tatarchuk, Chair, Professor Director of Chemical Engineering
Yoon Y Lee, Alumni Professor of Chemical Engineering
William Ashurst, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering
Dong-Joo (Daniel) Kim, Associate Professor of Materials Engineering
Abstract
Sulfur in refined fuels is considered a significant cause for atmospheric pollution such as acid rain and smog. Sulfur is also a poison for electrocatalysts in fuel cells and catalysts in hydrocarbon refining and reformation processes. Thus sulfur removal is essential for large scale production of transportation fuels as well as in smaller scales for mobile and stationary fuel cell and reforming applications. Hydro desulfurization (HDS) is the most prevalent desulfurization technology used currently. Several alternative technologies have been reported to be effective in sulfur removal from liquids such as catalytic oxidation, biological sulfur removal and membrane separation. The presented work focuses on the formulation, optimization and mechanistic investigations of adsorptive desulfurization adsorbents for liquid fuels at ambient conditions. Dispersed silver oxides on supports such as TiO 2 , γ-Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 were observed to be effective desulfurizing agents for refined fuels at ambient conditions. Among the supports, TiO 2 was found to be the most stable. Using titanium oxide of varying surface characteristics, it was determined that sulfur capacity corresponded to the specific surface area. Increasing the Ag loading on the support was observed to decrease dispersion and simultaneously decrease the sulfur capacity. At 4 Wt.% Ag loading, the sulfur capacity of the sorbent was 6.3 mgS/g for JP5 fuel containing 1172 ppmw sulfur. The sorbent composition was thermally regenerated (450:C) to 10 cycles using air as a stripping medium. Variation in desulfurization efficiency between JP5, JP8 and a lighter fraction of JP5 was established and correlated to the variation in sulfur speciation of the fuels. Lower concentration of trimethyl benzothiophenes in the lighter fraction JP5 resulted in the highest sulfur capacity demonstrated by Ag/TiO 2 . These studies on performance, effects of composition, fuel chemistry and regeneration procedures are presented in Chapter III. With the composition and performance of the sorbent established, synthesis procedures were optimized considering impregnation, drying and calcination stages. The effect of synthesis conditions on the sulfur capacity was correlated to the resulting pore structure and dispersion of Ag (Chapter IV). Incipient wetness among the various impregnation techniques resulted in the highest sulfur capacity. Calcination temperatures above 500 :C were observed to degrade the pore structure and thus lower the sulfur capacity of the sorbent. Characterization techniques such as BET surface area measurements, oxygen chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), ultraviolet spectroscopy were used to study the adsorbent composition. The variation in the oxidation state of Ag with weight loading was determined using TPR and thermogravimetry. At 4% Ag loading approximately 28% of the deposited Ag was found to exist as the oxide. Lowering the metal loading significantly increased the dispersion. These dispersed Ag oxides were observed to be stable to temperatures of 550:C. UV spectroscopy showed absorption bands representing oxides of Ag while bands representing metallic Ag were absent. It was therefore concluded that a majority of the Ag at the adsorption interface existed in the oxide phase. This indicated an alternative mechanism of sulfur removal compared to other transition metal based sorbents where the active material is considered to be the metal ion. Several aspects to be considered during the scale-up of adsorption units such as bed configuration, liquid face velocity and bed temperature and the effect on sulfur capacity was addressed as well. Having established the composition of the sorbent with respect to the oxidation state of Ag present, the dispersion of Ag and pore structure, several studies were carried out to determine the mechanism of sulfur removal in these materials (Chapter V & VI). Variation in desulfurization efficiency between sulfur aromatics varying in structure aspects such as aromaticity and presence of side chains were linked to the chemistry of the active center. These studies established that the active centers were acidic in nature. Probe molecules were used to poison the active centers and subjected to desulfurization studies. Surface complexes formed from the probe molecules were also identified using IR spectroscopy. These experiments indicated that the surface group responsible for the sulfur capacity was single or geminal hydroxyl groups. Equilibrium isotherms were also established for thiophene, benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene and 46 dimethyl dibenzothiophene at 22, 40 and 60:C and fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Fritz-Schlunder models (Chapter VII). The adsorption data followed the Langmuir model indicating that sulfur removal was effected by associative physical adsorption.
source: http://etd.auburn.edu/etd/bitstream/handle/10415/2371/Sachin%20Nair_Dissertation_ETD%20Rev2_PD5.pdf?sequence=2
///////
A core resource to consider is the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/ … follow it and recommend it to colleagues and friends.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Organization Alert: Nano and Interfacial Catalysis Group
“The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.” -- Lao Tzu (Chinese taoist Philosopher, 600 BC-531 BC)
The Nano and Interfacial Catalysis Group (http://fruit.dicp.ac.cn/), led by Dr. Xinhe Bao (xhbao@dicp.ac.cn) is a rich source of information. Not the least of its value lies in the fact that many of the peer reviewed articles produced by members of the group are made available in full text on the group’s Web.
This post is not an endorsement of the group … I know nothing about it (yet) beyond what is offered on the group’s Web. But the fact that the group has produced so many peer reviewed articles suggests that it is worth a more detailed look.
The first step in the detailed look is to download and read the articles made available on the site. Here are a few of the articles listed on the site …
///////
Yang Gang, Guan Jing, Zhou Lijun,Liu Xianchun,Han Xiuwen,Bao Xinhe
First-principle studies on the exceptionally active triplet oxygen species in microporous zeolite materials: Reservation and catalysis
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY, 202(2009)(2-3)122-127
XU Shutao, ZHANG Weiping, HAN Xiuwen, BAO Xinhe
Hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR Spectroscopy Investigation of Metal Cation-Exchanged FAU Zeolites
Chin. J. Catal., 30(2009)(9)945-950
Lijun Gu, Ding Ma, Songdong Yao, Xiumei Liu, Xiuwen Han, Wenjie Shen, and Xinhe Bao
Template-Synthesized Porous Silicon Carbide as an Effective Host for Zeolite Catalysts
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, 15(2009)13449-13455
Xinhe Bao
Catalytic characters of the nano-confined systems
Sci. China Ser. B-Chem., 39(2009)(10)1125-1133
Jing Guan, Xiulian Pan, Xin Liu, Xinhe Bao
Syngas Segregation Induced by Confinement in Carbon Nanotubes: A Combined First-Principles and Monte-Carlo Study
J. Phys. Chem. C, 113(2009)(52)21687-21692
Yafang Fan, Zengjian An, Xiulian Pan, Xiumei Liu and Xinhe Bao
Quinone tailored selective oxidation of methane over palladium catalyst with molecular oxygen as an oxidant
Chem. Commun., (2009)7488-7490
Source: http://fruit.dicp.ac.cn/publication/public2006.php
///////
Learn more about Jean Steinhardt, producer of the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/), by visiting his LinkedIn profile (www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch)
The Nano and Interfacial Catalysis Group (http://fruit.dicp.ac.cn/), led by Dr. Xinhe Bao (xhbao@dicp.ac.cn) is a rich source of information. Not the least of its value lies in the fact that many of the peer reviewed articles produced by members of the group are made available in full text on the group’s Web.
This post is not an endorsement of the group … I know nothing about it (yet) beyond what is offered on the group’s Web. But the fact that the group has produced so many peer reviewed articles suggests that it is worth a more detailed look.
The first step in the detailed look is to download and read the articles made available on the site. Here are a few of the articles listed on the site …
///////
Yang Gang, Guan Jing, Zhou Lijun,Liu Xianchun,Han Xiuwen,Bao Xinhe
First-principle studies on the exceptionally active triplet oxygen species in microporous zeolite materials: Reservation and catalysis
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY, 202(2009)(2-3)122-127
XU Shutao, ZHANG Weiping, HAN Xiuwen, BAO Xinhe
Hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR Spectroscopy Investigation of Metal Cation-Exchanged FAU Zeolites
Chin. J. Catal., 30(2009)(9)945-950
Lijun Gu, Ding Ma, Songdong Yao, Xiumei Liu, Xiuwen Han, Wenjie Shen, and Xinhe Bao
Template-Synthesized Porous Silicon Carbide as an Effective Host for Zeolite Catalysts
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, 15(2009)13449-13455
Xinhe Bao
Catalytic characters of the nano-confined systems
Sci. China Ser. B-Chem., 39(2009)(10)1125-1133
Jing Guan, Xiulian Pan, Xin Liu, Xinhe Bao
Syngas Segregation Induced by Confinement in Carbon Nanotubes: A Combined First-Principles and Monte-Carlo Study
J. Phys. Chem. C, 113(2009)(52)21687-21692
Yafang Fan, Zengjian An, Xiulian Pan, Xiumei Liu and Xinhe Bao
Quinone tailored selective oxidation of methane over palladium catalyst with molecular oxygen as an oxidant
Chem. Commun., (2009)7488-7490
Source: http://fruit.dicp.ac.cn/publication/public2006.php
///////
Learn more about Jean Steinhardt, producer of the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/), by visiting his LinkedIn profile (www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thanks, I’m Just Browsing
“The high-ceilinged rooms, the little balconies, alcoves, nooks and angles all suggest sanctuary, escape, creature comfort. The reader, the scholar, the browser, the borrower is king.” -- David McCord (American Poet and Writer, 1897-1997)
Not for nothing are apps like Internet Explorer called “browsers”. Here are a few items I found during a recent browsing expedition. I wasn’t looking for them specifically, but they interested me enough to post them for your consideration.
///////
Catalysis Today
[PDF]
Catalysts for ultra deep hydrodesulfurization and/or aromatics ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
by Y YOSHIMURA - Related articles
In developing the ultra deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts, lots of efforts ... development in the catalyst preparation technology to produce and ...
Source: www.kfupm.edu.sa/catsymp/Symp%2017th/08YOSHIMURA.pdf
///////
[PDF]
Spectroscopic and Kinetic Studies of Hydrodenitrogenation and Hydrodesulfurization over Supported Nickel Phosphide (Ni2P)
Travis Matthew Gott (2008)
Dissertation submitted to the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
necessitates catalysts that are ~ 7 times more active than existing catalysts [1]. For these
reasons a new generation of hydrotreating catalysts are needed. Several studies have
shown that a new class of materials, transition metal phosphides, are highly active under
conditions of deep HDS in the presence of nitrogen compounds and have the potential of
being the next generation of hydrotreating catalysts [6].
The review by Song [1] comprehensively covers various process options for
removal of sulfur including standard hydroprocessing, but also alternative and emerging
processes such as catalytic distillation, reactive adsorption, polar molecule adsorption,
selective adsorption, selective extraction, selective alkylation, membrane separation, and
caustic extraction. In addition to these there is also biodesulfurization, oxidative
desulfurization and ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization [40]. These methods
will be covered briefly.
Source: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11112008-42534/unrestricted/TGottDissertation_Revised.pdf
///////
Article in Press, Corrected Proof
Catalyst development for ultra-deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophenes. I: Effects of Ni promotion in molybdenum-based catalysts
Qiang Gao(a), Thomas N.K. Ofosu(a), Shu-Guo Ma(a), Vasileios G. Komvokis(a), Christopher T. Williams(a) and Koichi Segaw(a) (kohichi@cec.sc.edu)
(a) Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208-4101, United States
Available online 5 November 2010.
Abstract
A strong synergistic effect of nickel and molybdenum was observed for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT), 4-methyldibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) over highly active Ni-MoS2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. The surface of the most active catalyst in this study was composed by Ni:Mo = 1:3, which was determined by XPS results. In addition, catalytic behavior indicates the presence of two different adsorption models accounting for the DDS (direct desulfurization) and the HYD (hydrogenation) pathways. The structure of the NiMoS active phase appears to be identical regardless of Ni/(Ni + Mo) ratio. The reaction sequence of the DDS pathways is DBT > 4-MDBT > 4,6-DMDBT due to the steric hindrance of methyl groups located adjacent to the sulfur atom of DBT, which prevents σ-bonding of the sulfur to the active site within the NiMoS phase. The reaction rates of HYD pathways are independent of the number of methyl groups, suggesting that the alkyl groups do not interfere the π-adsorption of DBTs on the active sites.
Keywords: Hydrodesulfurization (HDS); Ni promoter; MoS2 catalyst; Dibenzothiophene (DBT); X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TFG-51D5RN1-3&_user=10&_coverDate=11%2F05%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1546433393&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=066bc3d0e28e4e4a96931758afac87dc&searchtype=a
///////
Remember to browse the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for tips and tricks on maximizing online research effectiveness in your area of expertise
Not for nothing are apps like Internet Explorer called “browsers”. Here are a few items I found during a recent browsing expedition. I wasn’t looking for them specifically, but they interested me enough to post them for your consideration.
///////
Catalysis Today
[PDF]
Catalysts for ultra deep hydrodesulfurization and/or aromatics ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
by Y YOSHIMURA - Related articles
In developing the ultra deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts, lots of efforts ... development in the catalyst preparation technology to produce and ...
Source: www.kfupm.edu.sa/catsymp/Symp%2017th/08YOSHIMURA.pdf
///////
[PDF]
Spectroscopic and Kinetic Studies of Hydrodenitrogenation and Hydrodesulfurization over Supported Nickel Phosphide (Ni2P)
Travis Matthew Gott (2008)
Dissertation submitted to the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
necessitates catalysts that are ~ 7 times more active than existing catalysts [1]. For these
reasons a new generation of hydrotreating catalysts are needed. Several studies have
shown that a new class of materials, transition metal phosphides, are highly active under
conditions of deep HDS in the presence of nitrogen compounds and have the potential of
being the next generation of hydrotreating catalysts [6].
The review by Song [1] comprehensively covers various process options for
removal of sulfur including standard hydroprocessing, but also alternative and emerging
processes such as catalytic distillation, reactive adsorption, polar molecule adsorption,
selective adsorption, selective extraction, selective alkylation, membrane separation, and
caustic extraction. In addition to these there is also biodesulfurization, oxidative
desulfurization and ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization [40]. These methods
will be covered briefly.
Source: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11112008-42534/unrestricted/TGottDissertation_Revised.pdf
///////
Article in Press, Corrected Proof
Catalyst development for ultra-deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophenes. I: Effects of Ni promotion in molybdenum-based catalysts
Qiang Gao(a), Thomas N.K. Ofosu(a), Shu-Guo Ma(a), Vasileios G. Komvokis(a), Christopher T. Williams(a) and Koichi Segaw(a) (kohichi@cec.sc.edu)
(a) Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208-4101, United States
Available online 5 November 2010.
Abstract
A strong synergistic effect of nickel and molybdenum was observed for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT), 4-methyldibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) over highly active Ni-MoS2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. The surface of the most active catalyst in this study was composed by Ni:Mo = 1:3, which was determined by XPS results. In addition, catalytic behavior indicates the presence of two different adsorption models accounting for the DDS (direct desulfurization) and the HYD (hydrogenation) pathways. The structure of the NiMoS active phase appears to be identical regardless of Ni/(Ni + Mo) ratio. The reaction sequence of the DDS pathways is DBT > 4-MDBT > 4,6-DMDBT due to the steric hindrance of methyl groups located adjacent to the sulfur atom of DBT, which prevents σ-bonding of the sulfur to the active site within the NiMoS phase. The reaction rates of HYD pathways are independent of the number of methyl groups, suggesting that the alkyl groups do not interfere the π-adsorption of DBTs on the active sites.
Keywords: Hydrodesulfurization (HDS); Ni promoter; MoS2 catalyst; Dibenzothiophene (DBT); X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TFG-51D5RN1-3&_user=10&_coverDate=11%2F05%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1546433393&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=066bc3d0e28e4e4a96931758afac87dc&searchtype=a
///////
Remember to browse the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for tips and tricks on maximizing online research effectiveness in your area of expertise
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Houston Public Library … Reference and ILL
“Never lend books, for no one ever returns them; the only books I have in my library are books that other people have lent me.” - Anatole France (16 April 1844—12 October 1924), born François-Anatole Thibault, French poet, journalist, and novelist
Rightly or wrongly (wrongly, in my opinion … no surprise there) libraries are underfunded. Despite this deplorable fact, librarians manage to deliver valuable services to their clients.
If your management has the intelligence to fund a library, take advantage of it. Talk to the librarian to find out what services are provided, and whether any online databases are subscribed.
Lacking such a resource, your local public library may be able to help.
HPL-Houston Public Library (http://www.houstonlibrary.org/home) for example, offers the following to registered users …
1) Reference -for help in locating information
2) ILL – Interlibrary Loan – for assistance in obtaining the full text of articles
3) Online databases of various kinds, which can be accessed onsite or from your own computer
In re: Reference Service, here is a description you will find on the HPL Web …
///////
Live Reference Help Online 24/7
“InfoLive! is a chat reference service with real-time online assistance by Houston Public Library staff as well as librarians nationwide. You can communicate live with a librarian from home, school, or work. We can provide brief answers to factual questions or suggest sources to answer your query through chat and e-mail services. Our reference librarians use a wide range of resources including the Internet and online databases to deliver answers efficiently and effectively. We can also offer assistance with search strategies. At the conclusion of your chat session, you will receive a transcript by e-mail for your future use.”
///////
As an example to illustrate the third item, I logged into my HPL account and searched EbscoHost Academic SearchComplete using this search string …
Zeolitic Desulfurization
[NOTE: this is not the best source for such a technical topic, but it is one of several that should be searched ... and HPL offers it to its patrons at no charge to them; and in a few cases, it provides access to the full text of the article]
Results ...
A Theoretical Study of Hydrodesulfurization and Hydrogenation of Dibenzothiophene Catalyzed by Small Zeolitic Cluster. By: Rozanska, Xavier; Saintigny, Xavier; van Santen, Rutger A.; Clémendot, Sylvain; Hutschka, François. Journal of Catalysis, May2002, Vol. 208 Issue 1, p89, 11p; DOI: 10.1006/jcat.2002.3530
Subjects: DESULFURIZATION; ORGANOSULFUR compounds; CATALYTIC cracking
Database: Academic Search Complete
A titanium containing micro/mesoporous composite and its catalytic performance in oxidative desulfurization. By: Jin, Changzi; Li, Gang; Wang, Xiangsheng; Wang, Yun; Zhao, Lixia; Sun, Dewei. Microporous & Mesoporous Materials, Apr2008, Vol. 111 Issue 1-3, p236-242, 7p; DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2007.07.037
Subjects: ELECTRON microscopy; MICROSCOPY; DIAGNOSIS, Electron microscopic; ELECTRON microscopic immunocytochemistry
Database: Academic Search Complete
A Ti-containing Molecular Sieve Assembled from Titanosilicate Precursors with Long-chain Alkylamines. Full Text Available By: Changzi Jin; Gang Li; Xiangsheng Wang; Lixia Zhao; Yun Wang; Dewei Sun. Topics in Catalysis, Jun2008, Vol. 49 Issue 1/2, p118-124, 7p, 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Chart, 9 Graphs; DOI: 10.1007/s11244-008-9065-4
Subjects: OXIDATION; SILICA; SILICON compounds; ZEOLITES; SILICATE minerals
Database: Academic Search Complete
Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Performance of Ti-Containing Mesoporous Molecular Sieves Assembled from Titanosilicate Precursors. By: Changzi Jin; Gang Li; Xiangsheng Wang; Lixia Zhao; Liping Liu; Haiou Liu; Yong Liu; Weiping Zhang; Xiuwen Han; Xinhe Bao. Chemistry of Materials, Apr2007, Vol. 19 Issue 7, p1664-1670, 7p
Subjects: SPECTRUM analysis; DRYING agents; CHEMICAL engineering; OXIDATION
Database: Academic Search Complete
///////
Jean welcomes new followers of the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/)… pass the URL on to friends and colleagues.
Rightly or wrongly (wrongly, in my opinion … no surprise there) libraries are underfunded. Despite this deplorable fact, librarians manage to deliver valuable services to their clients.
If your management has the intelligence to fund a library, take advantage of it. Talk to the librarian to find out what services are provided, and whether any online databases are subscribed.
Lacking such a resource, your local public library may be able to help.
HPL-Houston Public Library (http://www.houstonlibrary.org/home) for example, offers the following to registered users …
1) Reference -for help in locating information
2) ILL – Interlibrary Loan – for assistance in obtaining the full text of articles
3) Online databases of various kinds, which can be accessed onsite or from your own computer
In re: Reference Service, here is a description you will find on the HPL Web …
///////
Live Reference Help Online 24/7
“InfoLive! is a chat reference service with real-time online assistance by Houston Public Library staff as well as librarians nationwide. You can communicate live with a librarian from home, school, or work. We can provide brief answers to factual questions or suggest sources to answer your query through chat and e-mail services. Our reference librarians use a wide range of resources including the Internet and online databases to deliver answers efficiently and effectively. We can also offer assistance with search strategies. At the conclusion of your chat session, you will receive a transcript by e-mail for your future use.”
///////
As an example to illustrate the third item, I logged into my HPL account and searched EbscoHost Academic SearchComplete using this search string …
Zeolitic Desulfurization
[NOTE: this is not the best source for such a technical topic, but it is one of several that should be searched ... and HPL offers it to its patrons at no charge to them; and in a few cases, it provides access to the full text of the article]
Results ...
A Theoretical Study of Hydrodesulfurization and Hydrogenation of Dibenzothiophene Catalyzed by Small Zeolitic Cluster. By: Rozanska, Xavier; Saintigny, Xavier; van Santen, Rutger A.; Clémendot, Sylvain; Hutschka, François. Journal of Catalysis, May2002, Vol. 208 Issue 1, p89, 11p; DOI: 10.1006/jcat.2002.3530
Subjects: DESULFURIZATION; ORGANOSULFUR compounds; CATALYTIC cracking
Database: Academic Search Complete
A titanium containing micro/mesoporous composite and its catalytic performance in oxidative desulfurization. By: Jin, Changzi; Li, Gang; Wang, Xiangsheng; Wang, Yun; Zhao, Lixia; Sun, Dewei. Microporous & Mesoporous Materials, Apr2008, Vol. 111 Issue 1-3, p236-242, 7p; DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2007.07.037
Subjects: ELECTRON microscopy; MICROSCOPY; DIAGNOSIS, Electron microscopic; ELECTRON microscopic immunocytochemistry
Database: Academic Search Complete
A Ti-containing Molecular Sieve Assembled from Titanosilicate Precursors with Long-chain Alkylamines. Full Text Available By: Changzi Jin; Gang Li; Xiangsheng Wang; Lixia Zhao; Yun Wang; Dewei Sun. Topics in Catalysis, Jun2008, Vol. 49 Issue 1/2, p118-124, 7p, 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Chart, 9 Graphs; DOI: 10.1007/s11244-008-9065-4
Subjects: OXIDATION; SILICA; SILICON compounds; ZEOLITES; SILICATE minerals
Database: Academic Search Complete
Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Performance of Ti-Containing Mesoporous Molecular Sieves Assembled from Titanosilicate Precursors. By: Changzi Jin; Gang Li; Xiangsheng Wang; Lixia Zhao; Liping Liu; Haiou Liu; Yong Liu; Weiping Zhang; Xiuwen Han; Xinhe Bao. Chemistry of Materials, Apr2007, Vol. 19 Issue 7, p1664-1670, 7p
Subjects: SPECTRUM analysis; DRYING agents; CHEMICAL engineering; OXIDATION
Database: Academic Search Complete
///////
Jean welcomes new followers of the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/)… pass the URL on to friends and colleagues.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
What is π complexation
“If equations are trains threading the landscape of numbers, then no train stops at pi.” - Richard Preston, IN: "The Mountains of Pi," New Yorker (1992)
HOW TO GET AN OVERVIEW OF A TECHNICAL TOPIC
If you’re like me, you don’t know everything. Sometimes you run across a term that you are not quite sure of. But because it is in a field related to your area of expertise, you want to learn something about it. Where do you start?
Begin with an overview of the topic. Let’s take, as an example, the topic of “π complexation.” Now, you may already know everything you need to know about π complexation, but bear with me … the general principal is the same, no matter what topic you are investigating.
1) Look for reference "books" like Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing (Many libraries carry this whether in hard copy or via online subscription; check with your librarian)
2) Look for review articles (see below)
3) Google and browse (this can be very tedious, but can yield unexpected results)
Here are examples illustrating points (1) and (2)
///////
Sorbent Technology (Shuguang Deng) 2006
Chemical Engineering Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A.
IN: Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing DOI: 10.1081/E-ECHP-120007963 Copyright # 2006 by Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.
Π-complexation Sorbents and Composite Sorbents
A very good review article based on a panel study of status, future research needs, and opportunities for porous sorbent materials was published several years a go. It was pointed out that very significant advances have been made in tailoring the porosity of porous sorbent materials in terms of size and shape selectivity. Relatively little progress has been achieved in terms of chemoselectivity of sorbents based on specific interactions between adsorbate molecules and functional groups in the sorbents. Incorporation of active sites into sorbents is of high priority in the development of sorbents.
The π-complexation bond is a weak chemical bond that is slightly stronger than van der Waals interaction , which governs physical sorption processes. Sorbents with π-complexation capability tend to have higher selectivity than other physical sorbents for certain adsorbate molecules. Several different types of π-complexation sorbents with Cuþ or Agþ ions supported on different supports (SiO, g -Al2O2,TiO, variety of zeolites , polymer resin, and activated carbon) were synthesized using different methods including thermal dispersion, wet-impregnation, sol–gel, microwave heating, ion exchange zeolite, and ion-exchange resin. It was found that the CO adsorption capacity increases with Cuþ loading in an activated alumina supported sorbent.
To achieve the highest sorption capacity, the active species should be dispersed as a monolayer form. The potential applications of these π-complexation sorbents include:
• Desulfurization of gasoline and diesel fuels;
• Separation of olefins and paraffins;
• CO separation from synthesis gases;
• CO removal from hydrogen;
• Removal of aromatics ; and
• Removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC s).
A π-complexation sorbent can also be viewed as a composite sorbent especially when the sorbent support contributes significantly to the adsorption. Composite sorbents are typically made by physically mixing the powders of constituent sorbents with different sorption properties; they tend to have multiple sorption sites for different adsorbate molecules. One example of a composite sorbent is a mixture of activated alumina and zeolites for removing moisture, carbon dioxide, and other trace components from air in an air-purification process prior to cryogenic air separation.
Conventionally, moisture is removed by activated alumina, carbon dioxide by zeolite 13X, and hydrocarbons by zeolite 5A. Traditional air-purification processes employ multiple layers consisting of activated alumina, zeolite 13X, and optional zeolite 5A sorbents in a single vessel to achieve significant removal of moisture, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons from air. The major disadvantages of layered bed are nonuniform sorbent packing for a short sorbent layer, very significant temperature variation ( > 30C, sometimes called cold spots) between the zeolite and the activated alumina sorbent layers. The large temperature difference could upset the sorption process operation if it is designed to be operated isothermally. It is beneficial to have a single sorbent with multiple sorption features for different impurities and eliminate sorbent layering and temperature variations .
source: http://lib.nmsu.edu/accreditation/resources/FSA/DengArticle8.pdf
///////
Example of a review article:
///////
Desulfurization of Transportation Fuels by Adsorption
Authors: Arturo J. Hernndez-Maldonado(a); Ralph T. Yang(Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: yang@umich.edu
Abstract
This paper is a review on sorbents for desulfurization of transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel). Since the π-complexation sorbents are the most promising, they are the focus of the discussion. During π-complexation, the thiophenic compounds can bind selectively to the sorbents, especially the substituted ones. The later remain highly unreacted in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) (i.e., “refractory” sulfur). Molecular orbital (MO) calculations and experiments have shown that these refractory compounds [(e.g., 4-methyldibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT)] bind strongly with the π-complexation sorbents because of a better electron donation/back-donation ability. The sorbents reviewed include Ag-Y, Cu(I)-Y, Ni(II)-Y, and Ni(II)-X zeolites prepared using various ion-exchange techniques. The techniques included vapor and solid-state ion exchanges, which are suitable for obtaining high loadings of transition metals. The best sorbent, Cu(I)-Y [vapor-phase ion-exchanged (VPIE)], is capable of producing almost 38 cm3 of desulfurized fuel per g of sorbent with a sulfur concentration of less than 0.2 ppmw. Using these π-complexation sorbents in layered bed matrices further increases the desulfurization capacity.
Keywords: Desulfurization; Transportation fuels; Dibenzothiophenes; Pi-complexation; Zeolite
source: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a713625088~db=all~jumptype=rss
///////
Follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for an ongoing review of tips and tricks to help maximize your online research effectiveness.
HOW TO GET AN OVERVIEW OF A TECHNICAL TOPIC
If you’re like me, you don’t know everything. Sometimes you run across a term that you are not quite sure of. But because it is in a field related to your area of expertise, you want to learn something about it. Where do you start?
Begin with an overview of the topic. Let’s take, as an example, the topic of “π complexation.” Now, you may already know everything you need to know about π complexation, but bear with me … the general principal is the same, no matter what topic you are investigating.
1) Look for reference "books" like Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing (Many libraries carry this whether in hard copy or via online subscription; check with your librarian)
2) Look for review articles (see below)
3) Google and browse (this can be very tedious, but can yield unexpected results)
Here are examples illustrating points (1) and (2)
///////
Sorbent Technology (Shuguang Deng) 2006
Chemical Engineering Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A.
IN: Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing DOI: 10.1081/E-ECHP-120007963 Copyright # 2006 by Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.
Π-complexation Sorbents and Composite Sorbents
A very good review article based on a panel study of status, future research needs, and opportunities for porous sorbent materials was published several years a go. It was pointed out that very significant advances have been made in tailoring the porosity of porous sorbent materials in terms of size and shape selectivity. Relatively little progress has been achieved in terms of chemoselectivity of sorbents based on specific interactions between adsorbate molecules and functional groups in the sorbents. Incorporation of active sites into sorbents is of high priority in the development of sorbents.
The π-complexation bond is a weak chemical bond that is slightly stronger than van der Waals interaction , which governs physical sorption processes. Sorbents with π-complexation capability tend to have higher selectivity than other physical sorbents for certain adsorbate molecules. Several different types of π-complexation sorbents with Cuþ or Agþ ions supported on different supports (SiO, g -Al2O2,TiO, variety of zeolites , polymer resin, and activated carbon) were synthesized using different methods including thermal dispersion, wet-impregnation, sol–gel, microwave heating, ion exchange zeolite, and ion-exchange resin. It was found that the CO adsorption capacity increases with Cuþ loading in an activated alumina supported sorbent.
To achieve the highest sorption capacity, the active species should be dispersed as a monolayer form. The potential applications of these π-complexation sorbents include:
• Desulfurization of gasoline and diesel fuels;
• Separation of olefins and paraffins;
• CO separation from synthesis gases;
• CO removal from hydrogen;
• Removal of aromatics ; and
• Removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC s).
A π-complexation sorbent can also be viewed as a composite sorbent especially when the sorbent support contributes significantly to the adsorption. Composite sorbents are typically made by physically mixing the powders of constituent sorbents with different sorption properties; they tend to have multiple sorption sites for different adsorbate molecules. One example of a composite sorbent is a mixture of activated alumina and zeolites for removing moisture, carbon dioxide, and other trace components from air in an air-purification process prior to cryogenic air separation.
Conventionally, moisture is removed by activated alumina, carbon dioxide by zeolite 13X, and hydrocarbons by zeolite 5A. Traditional air-purification processes employ multiple layers consisting of activated alumina, zeolite 13X, and optional zeolite 5A sorbents in a single vessel to achieve significant removal of moisture, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons from air. The major disadvantages of layered bed are nonuniform sorbent packing for a short sorbent layer, very significant temperature variation ( > 30C, sometimes called cold spots) between the zeolite and the activated alumina sorbent layers. The large temperature difference could upset the sorption process operation if it is designed to be operated isothermally. It is beneficial to have a single sorbent with multiple sorption features for different impurities and eliminate sorbent layering and temperature variations .
source: http://lib.nmsu.edu/accreditation/resources/FSA/DengArticle8.pdf
///////
Example of a review article:
///////
Desulfurization of Transportation Fuels by Adsorption
Authors: Arturo J. Hernndez-Maldonado(a); Ralph T. Yang(Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: yang@umich.edu
Abstract
This paper is a review on sorbents for desulfurization of transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel). Since the π-complexation sorbents are the most promising, they are the focus of the discussion. During π-complexation, the thiophenic compounds can bind selectively to the sorbents, especially the substituted ones. The later remain highly unreacted in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) (i.e., “refractory” sulfur). Molecular orbital (MO) calculations and experiments have shown that these refractory compounds [(e.g., 4-methyldibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT)] bind strongly with the π-complexation sorbents because of a better electron donation/back-donation ability. The sorbents reviewed include Ag-Y, Cu(I)-Y, Ni(II)-Y, and Ni(II)-X zeolites prepared using various ion-exchange techniques. The techniques included vapor and solid-state ion exchanges, which are suitable for obtaining high loadings of transition metals. The best sorbent, Cu(I)-Y [vapor-phase ion-exchanged (VPIE)], is capable of producing almost 38 cm3 of desulfurized fuel per g of sorbent with a sulfur concentration of less than 0.2 ppmw. Using these π-complexation sorbents in layered bed matrices further increases the desulfurization capacity.
Keywords: Desulfurization; Transportation fuels; Dibenzothiophenes; Pi-complexation; Zeolite
source: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a713625088~db=all~jumptype=rss
///////
Follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for an ongoing review of tips and tricks to help maximize your online research effectiveness.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Fool for Full Text
“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” -- Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910)
“The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt” -- Bertrand Russell (English Logician and Philosopher 1872-1970)
I’m a fool for full text. Abstracts can be more or less helpful, depending on how well written they are. But for maximum information value, nothing beats full text.
Not only for the content … but for these other elements as well …
1) Introduction … often the author(s) will explain not only WHAT they did, but WHY they did it. In other words, what is the significance of the research?
2) References … Sometimes, the list of referenced articles is the most valuable part of the article in hand. The list provides multiple starting points for further online research. It also provides a list of authors, i.e., potentially useful contacts.
So how, in the increasingly commercial world of scientific inquiry, do you obtain the full text of relevant articles?
Two suggestions …
1) Search your subscribed online databases, like EbscoHost or ScienceDirect. Depending in the terms of your subscription, you may have access to “free” (i.e., prepaid by your organization) full text of the aticle(s) of interest. If you do not know what your organization subscribes to, ask your librarian
2) Consider ILL-Interlibrary Loan … This is a service provided by cooperating libraries all over the U.S. Subject to terms and conditions, many of the articles you want to view in full text can be obtained through your librarian’s connections with cooperating libraries.
Failing either of the above options, fall back on the pay-per-view option offered by most publishers … requires a valid credit card.
CASE STUDY
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi (abakshi@rhtgulfcoast.com) has over 32 years experience in Engineering Management at senior level in Process Engineering, Technology, Operations and Project Management, Licensing, Acquisitions, Alliances and Business Development. He has produced a number of patents and written several articles for professional journals.
As such, he may be worth further investigation for possible collaboration. One step to take before contacting him would be to obtain and read the articles he has written. Three of his most recent are listed below.
///////
“Reducing ether and biodiesel productions costs” (PTQ 2008 Q1)
“Selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons” (PTQ 2007 Q3)
“Sulfuric Acid Alkylation” (PTQ 2007)
///////
Obtaining full text of articles from PTQ-Petroleum Technology Quarterly is particularly challenging. As far as I know, the only way other than ILL (mentioned above) is to use your credit card to download the full text from the publisher’s site. Or, if you or your organization subscribes to ePTQ (www.eptq.com), you should be able to download articles at no charge (to your unit, that is).
Remember … if you need full text and are unsure of the best way to get it, contact your librarian or other information professional for advice.
///////
Jean Steinhardt is an independent information professional specializing in training people to maximize their online research effectiveness. View his LinkedIn Profile at: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch ... invitations to join your LinkedIn network are welcome.
“The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt” -- Bertrand Russell (English Logician and Philosopher 1872-1970)
I’m a fool for full text. Abstracts can be more or less helpful, depending on how well written they are. But for maximum information value, nothing beats full text.
Not only for the content … but for these other elements as well …
1) Introduction … often the author(s) will explain not only WHAT they did, but WHY they did it. In other words, what is the significance of the research?
2) References … Sometimes, the list of referenced articles is the most valuable part of the article in hand. The list provides multiple starting points for further online research. It also provides a list of authors, i.e., potentially useful contacts.
So how, in the increasingly commercial world of scientific inquiry, do you obtain the full text of relevant articles?
Two suggestions …
1) Search your subscribed online databases, like EbscoHost or ScienceDirect. Depending in the terms of your subscription, you may have access to “free” (i.e., prepaid by your organization) full text of the aticle(s) of interest. If you do not know what your organization subscribes to, ask your librarian
2) Consider ILL-Interlibrary Loan … This is a service provided by cooperating libraries all over the U.S. Subject to terms and conditions, many of the articles you want to view in full text can be obtained through your librarian’s connections with cooperating libraries.
Failing either of the above options, fall back on the pay-per-view option offered by most publishers … requires a valid credit card.
CASE STUDY
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi (abakshi@rhtgulfcoast.com) has over 32 years experience in Engineering Management at senior level in Process Engineering, Technology, Operations and Project Management, Licensing, Acquisitions, Alliances and Business Development. He has produced a number of patents and written several articles for professional journals.
As such, he may be worth further investigation for possible collaboration. One step to take before contacting him would be to obtain and read the articles he has written. Three of his most recent are listed below.
///////
“Reducing ether and biodiesel productions costs” (PTQ 2008 Q1)
“Selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons” (PTQ 2007 Q3)
“Sulfuric Acid Alkylation” (PTQ 2007)
///////
Obtaining full text of articles from PTQ-Petroleum Technology Quarterly is particularly challenging. As far as I know, the only way other than ILL (mentioned above) is to use your credit card to download the full text from the publisher’s site. Or, if you or your organization subscribes to ePTQ (www.eptq.com), you should be able to download articles at no charge (to your unit, that is).
Remember … if you need full text and are unsure of the best way to get it, contact your librarian or other information professional for advice.
///////
Jean Steinhardt is an independent information professional specializing in training people to maximize their online research effectiveness. View his LinkedIn Profile at: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch ... invitations to join your LinkedIn network are welcome.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Contact
“Personally, I experience the greatest degree of pleasure in having contact with works of art. They furnish me with happy feelings of an intensity such as I cannot derive from other realms.” -- Albert Einstein (German born American Physicist, 1879-1955)
“You can judge your age by the amount of pain you feel when you come in contact with a new idea.” -- Pearl S. Buck (American author, 1938 Nobel Prize for Literature, 1892-1973)
I recommend downloading and reading “Smart Refinery Guide: An Emerson Produced Supplement to Fuel Magazine” (September 2010). I recommend it for two reasons …
1) For content. While it is obviously intended to promote Emerson (http://www2.emersonprocess.com/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx) products and services, it provides a good look at the variety of ways in which refiners can use “smart” technology to cope with problems like heavier feedstocks and an aging workforce.
2) For contacts … Modern refining requires a broad range of expertise. Finding the right ex”pertise for a particular problem can be time consuming and frustrating. By noting the names and contact information of people mentioned in a document like “Smart Refinery,”
And one more tip … subscribe to Hart Energy’s FUEL magazine email. (hartonline@hartenergy.com). That’s how I found out about “Smart Refinery.”
Here is the text of that email …
///////
Dear Colleague:
Hart Energy Publishing and Emerson have joined forces to publish a Smart Refinery Guide. This guide is a must-read for site managers, process specialists, production supervisors and engineering managers in refineries worldwide. This brief guide aims to provide insight into how you can harness new "smart" technologies, from automation upgrades to advanced controls, to create the smart refinery of tomorrow.
A complimentary copy is available to download on this link (http://www.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMDk1NjU3JnA9MSZ1PTMxMTYzMTEzNiZsaT00NjIwNDc5/index.html), once you fill in your details and follow the instructions.
If this is not working for you, simply drop a short email to Marisa (mkreitz@hartenergy.com), our friendly Customer Service Representative and she will get you a copy in no time!
Best regards,
Hart Energy Customer Service
1616 S. Voss, Ste 1000 • Houston, Texas 77057 • USA
+1.713.993.0032 • Fax: +1.713.840.8585 •]
///////
And here are some excerpts from the document …
///////
Still, the complexity in refinery operations continues to increase with refiners adding units to provide flexibility in processing heavier and higher sulfur feedstocks. Product specifications have simultaneously become more geographically complicated and restrictive.
Advances in automation are enabling the smart refiners to achieve these efficiencies and improve the overall performance of their plants. These technologies enable more efficient operations, decreasing costs and increasing profit levels. The cost and size of computing elements, the continuing increase in communication bandwidths, advances in software and mathematical analyses and better modeling capabilities have provided new optimizing tools for increasingly reliable refining operations.
///////
While refinery objectives are mostly unchanged, the performance against these objectives can be dramatically improved while reducing costs. For example, a U.S. Gulf Coast refiner showed sustained 50% reduction in reliability risk–increased availability–by incorporating a smart refinery process to use the additional information from smart technology. Similarly, a West Coast refiner implemented wireless vibration sensors on essential pumps to monitor asset health where a wired solution was not cost effective.
The new smart refinery will complement the board operator, control engineer and maintenance tech, improving their efficiency. “With any new technology, ease of use and ease of integration with existing operations are key factors,” said Dr. Douglas White, director of refining industry solutions with Emerson Process Management in Houston. “We carefully consider the possible effects of our smart refinery technologies, not only on present staff, but also on successfully transferring critical knowledge to younger operators as a significant number of older operators reach retirement age.
///////
For example, more than US$4.5 billion was invested at the Fujian refining and petrochemical (FREP) facility in China, a joint venture with ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco and Sinopec, tripling the capacity of the existing refinery to 240,000 b/d to produce transportation fuels and other refined products. FREP digitally automated the existing refinery with eight distributed control automation systems, predictive maintenance software, safety instrumented systems (SIS), fire and gas systems, pressure and temperature transmitters and digital valve controllers–all using FOUNDATION™ fieldbus, HART, OPC and Modbus communication technologies and delivering information to a real-time database, as part of the largest integrated refining and petrochemicals project ever undertaken in China.
///////
“While there are certainly a number of large, complex process units like FCCs [fluid catalytic crackers], reformers and cokers that warrant a large-scale, multivariable approach, there is also a whole class of problems where small, high-speed and redundant embedded APC tools are an ideal fit, ” Sharpe said. “There are the very fast dynamic problems like fired heaters and compressors, where one-second execution-frequency for an MPC loop is required for safe operations. And you have the long time frame, highly-constrained single variable controllers, such as setting the feed rate to the hydrogen plant to balance the hydrogen system in the face of disturbances from the users. Each of these is a small application in terms of matrix size and implementation effort, but a large application in terms of economic impact.
///////
Because U.S. operators are now mandated to report GHG emissions, control systems are increasingly more important for obtaining accurate information. “On the safety side, control systems now act as a watchdog–if the H 2 S [hydrogensulfide] sensor goes off, or if a calculated quantity or prediction holds true, pagers and cell phones start ringing the alarms,” said Steve Elwart of Ergon Refining. “I predict we’ll see the same thing soon for greenhouse gas emissions.”
///////
The Energy Intensity Index (EII) as benchmarked by Solomon Associates generally measures energy efficiency in the North American refining market. The EII is an aggregate value that essentially indicates how much energy is expended to process each barrel of crude oil–the lower the number, the more efficient the operation. A Solomon EII value of 100 is standard; a Solomon EII plant-specific value below 100 indicates a more efficient plant, while a value above 100 indicates a less efficient plant.
“Many different factors can affect energy use in a plant, and in nearly every plant, there is the potential for energy efficiency improvement. Automated process controls can really have long term benefits not only for helping to control and monitor CO 2 emissions, but also when it comes to complying with CO 2 regulations,” Lemke said. “Automated process controls are quick to install and maintain, easy for the operators to understand and use, and many tools built into the system help operators do a better job of managing the regulatory layers.”
///////
Delaying investment in energy conservation programs can wreak havoc down the road. A low-cost interim solution such as repairing steam traps and other steam leaks will inevitably bring low return. Conversely, higher-cost options such as installation of integrated gas turbines, fluid catalytic cracking power-recovery turbines (vapor) and hydrocracking charge pump power recovery turbines (liquid) can bring higher returns, but are not automation-based solutions. Smart refineries should invest in automation technology, which involves low to medium initial cost, but enables substantial returns in the long run–including better flow and analytical monitoring.
///////
“The logistics for operating a refinery can be quite complex and dynamic,” Sharpe said. “For instance, decisions on which crude to run and how much to buy must be made months in advance. If you get it wrong, it could cost the company millions of dollars per incident.”
///////
Another useful contact … Jean Steinhardt (LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch ), specializing in training the people in your organization to maximize their online research effectiveness. Invite Jean to join your LinkedIn network
“You can judge your age by the amount of pain you feel when you come in contact with a new idea.” -- Pearl S. Buck (American author, 1938 Nobel Prize for Literature, 1892-1973)
I recommend downloading and reading “Smart Refinery Guide: An Emerson Produced Supplement to Fuel Magazine” (September 2010). I recommend it for two reasons …
1) For content. While it is obviously intended to promote Emerson (http://www2.emersonprocess.com/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx) products and services, it provides a good look at the variety of ways in which refiners can use “smart” technology to cope with problems like heavier feedstocks and an aging workforce.
2) For contacts … Modern refining requires a broad range of expertise. Finding the right ex”pertise for a particular problem can be time consuming and frustrating. By noting the names and contact information of people mentioned in a document like “Smart Refinery,”
And one more tip … subscribe to Hart Energy’s FUEL magazine email. (hartonline@hartenergy.com). That’s how I found out about “Smart Refinery.”
Here is the text of that email …
///////
Dear Colleague:
Hart Energy Publishing and Emerson have joined forces to publish a Smart Refinery Guide. This guide is a must-read for site managers, process specialists, production supervisors and engineering managers in refineries worldwide. This brief guide aims to provide insight into how you can harness new "smart" technologies, from automation upgrades to advanced controls, to create the smart refinery of tomorrow.
A complimentary copy is available to download on this link (http://www.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMDk1NjU3JnA9MSZ1PTMxMTYzMTEzNiZsaT00NjIwNDc5/index.html), once you fill in your details and follow the instructions.
If this is not working for you, simply drop a short email to Marisa (mkreitz@hartenergy.com), our friendly Customer Service Representative and she will get you a copy in no time!
Best regards,
Hart Energy Customer Service
1616 S. Voss, Ste 1000 • Houston, Texas 77057 • USA
+1.713.993.0032 • Fax: +1.713.840.8585 •]
///////
And here are some excerpts from the document …
///////
Still, the complexity in refinery operations continues to increase with refiners adding units to provide flexibility in processing heavier and higher sulfur feedstocks. Product specifications have simultaneously become more geographically complicated and restrictive.
Advances in automation are enabling the smart refiners to achieve these efficiencies and improve the overall performance of their plants. These technologies enable more efficient operations, decreasing costs and increasing profit levels. The cost and size of computing elements, the continuing increase in communication bandwidths, advances in software and mathematical analyses and better modeling capabilities have provided new optimizing tools for increasingly reliable refining operations.
///////
While refinery objectives are mostly unchanged, the performance against these objectives can be dramatically improved while reducing costs. For example, a U.S. Gulf Coast refiner showed sustained 50% reduction in reliability risk–increased availability–by incorporating a smart refinery process to use the additional information from smart technology. Similarly, a West Coast refiner implemented wireless vibration sensors on essential pumps to monitor asset health where a wired solution was not cost effective.
The new smart refinery will complement the board operator, control engineer and maintenance tech, improving their efficiency. “With any new technology, ease of use and ease of integration with existing operations are key factors,” said Dr. Douglas White, director of refining industry solutions with Emerson Process Management in Houston. “We carefully consider the possible effects of our smart refinery technologies, not only on present staff, but also on successfully transferring critical knowledge to younger operators as a significant number of older operators reach retirement age.
///////
For example, more than US$4.5 billion was invested at the Fujian refining and petrochemical (FREP) facility in China, a joint venture with ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco and Sinopec, tripling the capacity of the existing refinery to 240,000 b/d to produce transportation fuels and other refined products. FREP digitally automated the existing refinery with eight distributed control automation systems, predictive maintenance software, safety instrumented systems (SIS), fire and gas systems, pressure and temperature transmitters and digital valve controllers–all using FOUNDATION™ fieldbus, HART, OPC and Modbus communication technologies and delivering information to a real-time database, as part of the largest integrated refining and petrochemicals project ever undertaken in China.
///////
“While there are certainly a number of large, complex process units like FCCs [fluid catalytic crackers], reformers and cokers that warrant a large-scale, multivariable approach, there is also a whole class of problems where small, high-speed and redundant embedded APC tools are an ideal fit, ” Sharpe said. “There are the very fast dynamic problems like fired heaters and compressors, where one-second execution-frequency for an MPC loop is required for safe operations. And you have the long time frame, highly-constrained single variable controllers, such as setting the feed rate to the hydrogen plant to balance the hydrogen system in the face of disturbances from the users. Each of these is a small application in terms of matrix size and implementation effort, but a large application in terms of economic impact.
///////
Because U.S. operators are now mandated to report GHG emissions, control systems are increasingly more important for obtaining accurate information. “On the safety side, control systems now act as a watchdog–if the H 2 S [hydrogensulfide] sensor goes off, or if a calculated quantity or prediction holds true, pagers and cell phones start ringing the alarms,” said Steve Elwart of Ergon Refining. “I predict we’ll see the same thing soon for greenhouse gas emissions.”
///////
The Energy Intensity Index (EII) as benchmarked by Solomon Associates generally measures energy efficiency in the North American refining market. The EII is an aggregate value that essentially indicates how much energy is expended to process each barrel of crude oil–the lower the number, the more efficient the operation. A Solomon EII value of 100 is standard; a Solomon EII plant-specific value below 100 indicates a more efficient plant, while a value above 100 indicates a less efficient plant.
“Many different factors can affect energy use in a plant, and in nearly every plant, there is the potential for energy efficiency improvement. Automated process controls can really have long term benefits not only for helping to control and monitor CO 2 emissions, but also when it comes to complying with CO 2 regulations,” Lemke said. “Automated process controls are quick to install and maintain, easy for the operators to understand and use, and many tools built into the system help operators do a better job of managing the regulatory layers.”
///////
Delaying investment in energy conservation programs can wreak havoc down the road. A low-cost interim solution such as repairing steam traps and other steam leaks will inevitably bring low return. Conversely, higher-cost options such as installation of integrated gas turbines, fluid catalytic cracking power-recovery turbines (vapor) and hydrocracking charge pump power recovery turbines (liquid) can bring higher returns, but are not automation-based solutions. Smart refineries should invest in automation technology, which involves low to medium initial cost, but enables substantial returns in the long run–including better flow and analytical monitoring.
///////
“The logistics for operating a refinery can be quite complex and dynamic,” Sharpe said. “For instance, decisions on which crude to run and how much to buy must be made months in advance. If you get it wrong, it could cost the company millions of dollars per incident.”
///////
Another useful contact … Jean Steinhardt (LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch ), specializing in training the people in your organization to maximize their online research effectiveness. Invite Jean to join your LinkedIn network
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Do Due Diligence
“Diligence is a good thing, but taking things easy is much more restful” -- Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910)
An expert you may find useful is Dr. Amarjit Bakshi (abakshi@rhtgulfcoast.com), whom I found thanks to his contribution to a LinkedIn group I follow.
He has produced a number of patents, written articles for PTQ-Petroleum Technology Quarterly, Oil & Gas Journal, and Chemical Engineer, and is principal in a Texas based company named RHT-Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies (www.rhtgulfcoast.com)
As promising as all this seems, common sense dictates that you conduct some kind of background check before seriously considering a business arrangement.
Due diligence experts are available, but you can do a preliminary background check on your own, at no cost beyond your hourly rate.
Here is a checklist of free resources. You may be aware of most, if not all, but using a checklist helps you ensure a thorough check.
• Google (Miscellany)
• Google Scholar (Peer reviewed articles)
• Google Patents (Both granted and applied for)
• Obtain full text of articles (your librarian can help with this)
• Company’s Web
• LinkedIn (Read expert’s profile; note the groups he/she belongs to; is he/she connected to anyone you may know?)
• Remember to check your subscribed databases. Many organizations subscribe to LexisNexis, EbscoHost, and Dun & Bradstreet, among others
Squeeze the most value out of each item on your check list. For example, when you search for patents, study the results for …
• Inventors (associates)
• Assignee (company names)
• Abstract (key words and concepts)
• Referenced by (more associates; more company names)
Here are some results from a PRELIMINARY background check on Dr. Amarjit Bakshi.
///////
Publications
"Two phase flow and Natural Circulation Reboiler design", Chemical Engineer (UK) 1978 ''
"New route for MMA production " Oil & Gas Journal, 1986
"Visbreaker Design " Oil & Gas Journal, 1986
"Hydrogen Donor Visbreaking" oil and Gas Journal, 1987
"Why RHT Sulfuric Acid Alkylation", Presented at ERTC Annual conference 13-15 November, 2006
"New developments in Sulfuric acid alkylation" 2Q 2007 PTQ Magazine
///////
LinkedIn Profiles
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.EngPresident at Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Houston, Texas Area
President & CEO at Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Past•Senior Manager , Refinery Advisor at Technip USA
•Director Strategic Business Development Refining Business area at GTC Technology LLP
•Senior Technology Manager/BD Executive at ABB LUMMUS GLOBAL INC
Consultannt at Jacobs see less...
Education•University of Surrey
•Scindia Public School
•University of Surrey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Summary
RECENT Consultation Projects:with FUND Managers and others:
— Swedish Refining Industry
— Canadian Income Trust Model
— Design simulation software market
— North and South American oil exploration
— Refining technology solutions users
— Scandinavian refining industry
— Gas Transportation Infrastructure and
— Electrical energy transformer industry (
— Industrial Safety Technology Products
— Plant safety equipment and technology industry
Expert and innovative in all aspects of Refining and Petrochemical Busines including renewable fuels. Providing technology Licensing with smart configuaration to cut cost below 50 % of the present technologies.
Over 32 years experience in Engineering Management at senior level in Process Engineering, Technology, Operations and Project Management, Licensing, Acquisitions, Alliances and Business Development. Provided proven leadership and vision with broader perspectives and able to manage multiple tasks and personnel on mega projects. Significant Technology and process design and supervision experience in the field of refining including Crude/Vacuum units, Hydro Processing (All hydrotreating/ HDS and hydrocracking), FCC, Gas Plants, Alkylation, Reforming, and visbreaking including other Gasoline Processes e.g Iso-octene/Iso-octane and all units in Lube refining. ..Patents provide refiners and petrochemical plants innovations to enhance the performance of the units. Experience in safety audits, refinery optimization and heat integration/conservation studies.Worked in UK, Germany, Netherlands and USA, in a team environment and worked with multi cultural groups from North America/Japan/ Korea/China/Middle East/ Europe/ Russia/Iran etc. Experienced in business development in North America, Far East, India, middle East, Europe, Russia, Iran etc
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Specialties:
Areas of interest:
1.. Refining Technology Options
2.CO2 Sequestration and other options
3.Advanced Technologies for Gas and Oil production from Shale/Oil Sands/Biomass .
4.Renewable Fuels, Ethanol from Cellulose, Biodiesel from Algae …
5.Operational Excellence of all Oil and Gas facilities,
6.Heavy Oil and Residue upgrading
7.Project development, Licensing , Catalyst selection, Basic and Process engineering,
8.New curriculum for Petroleum and Chemical Engineering
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Experience
President & CEO
Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
(Partnership; Oil & Energy industry)
January 2008 — Present (2 years 10 months)
Provide services to enhance the Client's economics and safety to provide solutions to the Refining and Petrochemical industry, technology/optimization/energy conservationand operations including Project Management/Process Engineeing/starts and turn arounds and enhancing organization and work force capability
Senior Manager , Refinery Advisor
Technip USA
(Public Company; TKP; Oil & Energy industry)
2006 — 2007 (1 year )
Provide leadership and expertise in Refining business together with Business development
Director Strategic Business Development Refining Business area
GTC Technology LLP
(Privately Held; Chemicals industry)
2005 — 2006 (1 year )
Senior Technology Manager/BD Executive
ABB LUMMUS GLOBAL INC
(Public Company; CBI; Oil & Energy industry)
1988 — 2005 (17 years )
Consultannt
Jacobs
(Public Company; JEC; Oil & Energy industry)
January 1986 — March 1987 (1 year 3 months)
Worked on Lube refining and Polyol projecsts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Education
University of Surrey
Ph.D , Chemical Engineer , 1968 — 1973
Scindia Public School
High School ,
University of Surrey
Postgradute , Chemical Engineering
Activities and Societies:Chartered Engineer
C.Eng
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
source: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rht2006
///////
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LinkedIn Group Discussion
What would be good alternative for Delayed Coking Unit in a refinery scheme? Feedstock is vacuum residue or slurry from FCC.
Teymur = 2 months ago
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng • Stefan you are right as one wants from conversion process is product in gasoline/diesel or gas oil to get best ROI.
But the question is what the alternative to Delayed Coking is and I guess the premise is to lower in cost than Delayed Coker.
As we all know the most competitive refinery capacity is at least 300, 000 bbls/d refinery or higher. But all the refiners do not have financing capability to build refinery for that capacity and complexity also will drive the cost up. So Refiners have to build what they can afford not based only ROI.
But I think the question s what are alternative
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng • REINSERTED RESPONSE
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi • Most of the alternatives have been provided above in the comments from the experts. The major requirements after that one has to do the linear programming to look at the economics of the options. Even after the economics one has to look at the constraints of the financing and debt what the corporation is comfortable with.
Based on experience if financing/debt and cost control is major criteria, it can be easily point to certain options.
The Option of SDA and RESID FCC (if existing FCC can be revamped to high coke option) is a good one based on the required product slate. Otherwise still the other options are SDA and gasified where one can produce syngas and generate power, other option is to use syn gas to onvert to valuable fuel like diesel etc.
Another option is SDA and Coking operation with new technology of Rotary kiln technology which much simpler to operate.
As regards to Flexicoking it is site specific and normally not profitable and optimum technology except in exceptional case. This technology is offered by EXXONMOBIL and mostly used by them at about 6 or 7 refineries. One license was sold to Hellenic in 2008 and could be site specific or was not evaluated properly by the Hellenic as justification was not strong for low BTU gas. This also was very expensive option.
///////
GOOGLE PATENTS
Apparatus for conducting exothermic reactions
US Pat. 5792428 - Filed May 20, 1996 - Chemical Research & Licensing Company
Amarjit S. Bakshi; Timothy P. McGuirk; JC Gupta; Thomas Koval. all of Houston,
Tex. [73] Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company. Pasadena, Tex. ...
Process for the preparation of ETBE
US Pat. 5248836 - Filed Oct 16, 1992 - Chemical Research & Licensing Company
28, [54] PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ETBE [75] Inventors: Amarjit Bakshi, The
Hague, Netherlands; Edward M. Jones, Jr., Friendswood; Bobby A. Strain ...
Etherification process
US Pat. 5919989 - Filed Jun 20, 1997 - Catalytic Distillation Technologies
6, [54] ETHERIFICATION PROCESS [75] Inventors: Amarjit Bakshi; Thomas P. Hickey,
both of Houston, Tex. [73] Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies, ...
Method for conducting exothermic reactions
US Pat. 6335473 - Filed Sep 8, 2000 - Catalytic Distillation Technologies
... 2002 (54) METHOD FOR CONDUCTING EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS (75) Inventors: Amarjit
S. Bakshi; Timothy P. McGuirk; JC Gupta; Thomas Koval, all ol Houston, ...
Process for the production of gasoline stocks
US Pat. 7273957 - Filed Oct 29, 2004 - Catalytic Distillation Technologies
... United States Patent Bakshi et al. (io) Patent No. ... Jr 260/673 208/255
208/46 Inventors: Amarjit S. Bakshi, Houston, TX (US); Mitchell E. Loescher, ...
[APPLICATION] Process for ultra low sulfur gasoline
US Pat. 10295706 - Filed Nov 15, 2002 - CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
25, 2004 (54) PROCESS FOR ULTRA LOW SULFUR GASOLINE (75) Inventor: Amarjit S.
Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: KENNETH H. JOHNSON PO BOX ...
[APPLICATION] Sweet microwave popcorn product and method for production thereof
US Pat. 10475284 - Filed Mar 29, 2002
... CA (US); Amarjit S Bakshi, Yorba Linda, CA (US); Caroline Ponting, Yorka
Linda, CA (US) Correspondence Address: Gary D Lueck Bingham McCutchen Floor ...
[APPLICATION] Biodiesel process : RHT-Biodiesel
US Pat. 11540180 - Filed Sep 29, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Date: Apr. 24, 2008 (54) BIODIESEL PROCESS : RHT-BIODIESEL (75) Inventor:
Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: AMARJIT SINGH BAKSHI
[APPLICATION] Multistage catalytic process for olefin etherification
US Pat. 11400846 - Filed Apr 10, 2006
Date: May, 2007 (54) MULTISTAGE CATALYTIC PROCESS FOR OLEFIN ETHERIFICATION (76)
Inventor: Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: ...
[APPLICATION] Low temperature low cost sulfuric acid alkylation process
US Pat. 11400845 - Filed Apr 10, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
... Al Bakshi (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 23, 2007 Novel Mixing Device Reactor details
... Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: AMARJIT SINGH BAKSHI REFINING ...
[APPLICATION] Low cost selective Octene process : RHT-Octene
US Pat. 11540179 - Filed Sep 29, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Date: Apr. 3, 2008 RHT Octene Process (54) LOW COST SELECTIVE OCTENE PROCESS :
RHT-OCTENE (75) Inventor: Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence ...
[APPLICATION] Low cost high yield Iso-octene/ Isooctane process with capability to revamp ...
US Pat. 11454044 - Filed Jun 15, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
... Al Bakshi (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 20, 2007 RHT Iso-Octene Process ... WITH
CAPABILITY TO REVAMP THE MTBE UNITS (75) Inventor: Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy,
...
///////
Jean Steinhardt Consulting LLC specializes in training the people in your organization to squeeze the maximum value from your subscribed databases. Follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for more tips in how to maximize search effectiveness (and pass the word to friends and colleagues)
An expert you may find useful is Dr. Amarjit Bakshi (abakshi@rhtgulfcoast.com), whom I found thanks to his contribution to a LinkedIn group I follow.
He has produced a number of patents, written articles for PTQ-Petroleum Technology Quarterly, Oil & Gas Journal, and Chemical Engineer, and is principal in a Texas based company named RHT-Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies (www.rhtgulfcoast.com)
As promising as all this seems, common sense dictates that you conduct some kind of background check before seriously considering a business arrangement.
Due diligence experts are available, but you can do a preliminary background check on your own, at no cost beyond your hourly rate.
Here is a checklist of free resources. You may be aware of most, if not all, but using a checklist helps you ensure a thorough check.
• Google (Miscellany)
• Google Scholar (Peer reviewed articles)
• Google Patents (Both granted and applied for)
• Obtain full text of articles (your librarian can help with this)
• Company’s Web
• LinkedIn (Read expert’s profile; note the groups he/she belongs to; is he/she connected to anyone you may know?)
• Remember to check your subscribed databases. Many organizations subscribe to LexisNexis, EbscoHost, and Dun & Bradstreet, among others
Squeeze the most value out of each item on your check list. For example, when you search for patents, study the results for …
• Inventors (associates)
• Assignee (company names)
• Abstract (key words and concepts)
• Referenced by (more associates; more company names)
Here are some results from a PRELIMINARY background check on Dr. Amarjit Bakshi.
///////
Publications
"Two phase flow and Natural Circulation Reboiler design", Chemical Engineer (UK) 1978 ''
"New route for MMA production " Oil & Gas Journal, 1986
"Visbreaker Design " Oil & Gas Journal, 1986
"Hydrogen Donor Visbreaking" oil and Gas Journal, 1987
"Why RHT Sulfuric Acid Alkylation", Presented at ERTC Annual conference 13-15 November, 2006
"New developments in Sulfuric acid alkylation" 2Q 2007 PTQ Magazine
///////
LinkedIn Profiles
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.EngPresident at Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Houston, Texas Area
President & CEO at Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Past•Senior Manager , Refinery Advisor at Technip USA
•Director Strategic Business Development Refining Business area at GTC Technology LLP
•Senior Technology Manager/BD Executive at ABB LUMMUS GLOBAL INC
Consultannt at Jacobs see less...
Education•University of Surrey
•Scindia Public School
•University of Surrey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Summary
RECENT Consultation Projects:with FUND Managers and others:
— Swedish Refining Industry
— Canadian Income Trust Model
— Design simulation software market
— North and South American oil exploration
— Refining technology solutions users
— Scandinavian refining industry
— Gas Transportation Infrastructure and
— Electrical energy transformer industry (
— Industrial Safety Technology Products
— Plant safety equipment and technology industry
Expert and innovative in all aspects of Refining and Petrochemical Busines including renewable fuels. Providing technology Licensing with smart configuaration to cut cost below 50 % of the present technologies.
Over 32 years experience in Engineering Management at senior level in Process Engineering, Technology, Operations and Project Management, Licensing, Acquisitions, Alliances and Business Development. Provided proven leadership and vision with broader perspectives and able to manage multiple tasks and personnel on mega projects. Significant Technology and process design and supervision experience in the field of refining including Crude/Vacuum units, Hydro Processing (All hydrotreating/ HDS and hydrocracking), FCC, Gas Plants, Alkylation, Reforming, and visbreaking including other Gasoline Processes e.g Iso-octene/Iso-octane and all units in Lube refining. ..Patents provide refiners and petrochemical plants innovations to enhance the performance of the units. Experience in safety audits, refinery optimization and heat integration/conservation studies.Worked in UK, Germany, Netherlands and USA, in a team environment and worked with multi cultural groups from North America/Japan/ Korea/China/Middle East/ Europe/ Russia/Iran etc. Experienced in business development in North America, Far East, India, middle East, Europe, Russia, Iran etc
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Specialties:
Areas of interest:
1.. Refining Technology Options
2.CO2 Sequestration and other options
3.Advanced Technologies for Gas and Oil production from Shale/Oil Sands/Biomass .
4.Renewable Fuels, Ethanol from Cellulose, Biodiesel from Algae …
5.Operational Excellence of all Oil and Gas facilities,
6.Heavy Oil and Residue upgrading
7.Project development, Licensing , Catalyst selection, Basic and Process engineering,
8.New curriculum for Petroleum and Chemical Engineering
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Experience
President & CEO
Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
(Partnership; Oil & Energy industry)
January 2008 — Present (2 years 10 months)
Provide services to enhance the Client's economics and safety to provide solutions to the Refining and Petrochemical industry, technology/optimization/energy conservationand operations including Project Management/Process Engineeing/starts and turn arounds and enhancing organization and work force capability
Senior Manager , Refinery Advisor
Technip USA
(Public Company; TKP; Oil & Energy industry)
2006 — 2007 (1 year )
Provide leadership and expertise in Refining business together with Business development
Director Strategic Business Development Refining Business area
GTC Technology LLP
(Privately Held; Chemicals industry)
2005 — 2006 (1 year )
Senior Technology Manager/BD Executive
ABB LUMMUS GLOBAL INC
(Public Company; CBI; Oil & Energy industry)
1988 — 2005 (17 years )
Consultannt
Jacobs
(Public Company; JEC; Oil & Energy industry)
January 1986 — March 1987 (1 year 3 months)
Worked on Lube refining and Polyol projecsts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng’s Education
University of Surrey
Ph.D , Chemical Engineer , 1968 — 1973
Scindia Public School
High School ,
University of Surrey
Postgradute , Chemical Engineering
Activities and Societies:Chartered Engineer
C.Eng
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
source: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rht2006
///////
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
///////
LinkedIn Group Discussion
What would be good alternative for Delayed Coking Unit in a refinery scheme? Feedstock is vacuum residue or slurry from FCC.
Teymur = 2 months ago
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng • Stefan you are right as one wants from conversion process is product in gasoline/diesel or gas oil to get best ROI.
But the question is what the alternative to Delayed Coking is and I guess the premise is to lower in cost than Delayed Coker.
As we all know the most competitive refinery capacity is at least 300, 000 bbls/d refinery or higher. But all the refiners do not have financing capability to build refinery for that capacity and complexity also will drive the cost up. So Refiners have to build what they can afford not based only ROI.
But I think the question s what are alternative
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng • REINSERTED RESPONSE
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi • Most of the alternatives have been provided above in the comments from the experts. The major requirements after that one has to do the linear programming to look at the economics of the options. Even after the economics one has to look at the constraints of the financing and debt what the corporation is comfortable with.
Based on experience if financing/debt and cost control is major criteria, it can be easily point to certain options.
The Option of SDA and RESID FCC (if existing FCC can be revamped to high coke option) is a good one based on the required product slate. Otherwise still the other options are SDA and gasified where one can produce syngas and generate power, other option is to use syn gas to onvert to valuable fuel like diesel etc.
Another option is SDA and Coking operation with new technology of Rotary kiln technology which much simpler to operate.
As regards to Flexicoking it is site specific and normally not profitable and optimum technology except in exceptional case. This technology is offered by EXXONMOBIL and mostly used by them at about 6 or 7 refineries. One license was sold to Hellenic in 2008 and could be site specific or was not evaluated properly by the Hellenic as justification was not strong for low BTU gas. This also was very expensive option.
///////
GOOGLE PATENTS
Apparatus for conducting exothermic reactions
US Pat. 5792428 - Filed May 20, 1996 - Chemical Research & Licensing Company
Amarjit S. Bakshi; Timothy P. McGuirk; JC Gupta; Thomas Koval. all of Houston,
Tex. [73] Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company. Pasadena, Tex. ...
Process for the preparation of ETBE
US Pat. 5248836 - Filed Oct 16, 1992 - Chemical Research & Licensing Company
28, [54] PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ETBE [75] Inventors: Amarjit Bakshi, The
Hague, Netherlands; Edward M. Jones, Jr., Friendswood; Bobby A. Strain ...
Etherification process
US Pat. 5919989 - Filed Jun 20, 1997 - Catalytic Distillation Technologies
6, [54] ETHERIFICATION PROCESS [75] Inventors: Amarjit Bakshi; Thomas P. Hickey,
both of Houston, Tex. [73] Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies, ...
Method for conducting exothermic reactions
US Pat. 6335473 - Filed Sep 8, 2000 - Catalytic Distillation Technologies
... 2002 (54) METHOD FOR CONDUCTING EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS (75) Inventors: Amarjit
S. Bakshi; Timothy P. McGuirk; JC Gupta; Thomas Koval, all ol Houston, ...
Process for the production of gasoline stocks
US Pat. 7273957 - Filed Oct 29, 2004 - Catalytic Distillation Technologies
... United States Patent Bakshi et al. (io) Patent No. ... Jr 260/673 208/255
208/46 Inventors: Amarjit S. Bakshi, Houston, TX (US); Mitchell E. Loescher, ...
[APPLICATION] Process for ultra low sulfur gasoline
US Pat. 10295706 - Filed Nov 15, 2002 - CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
25, 2004 (54) PROCESS FOR ULTRA LOW SULFUR GASOLINE (75) Inventor: Amarjit S.
Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: KENNETH H. JOHNSON PO BOX ...
[APPLICATION] Sweet microwave popcorn product and method for production thereof
US Pat. 10475284 - Filed Mar 29, 2002
... CA (US); Amarjit S Bakshi, Yorba Linda, CA (US); Caroline Ponting, Yorka
Linda, CA (US) Correspondence Address: Gary D Lueck Bingham McCutchen Floor ...
[APPLICATION] Biodiesel process : RHT-Biodiesel
US Pat. 11540180 - Filed Sep 29, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Date: Apr. 24, 2008 (54) BIODIESEL PROCESS : RHT-BIODIESEL (75) Inventor:
Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: AMARJIT SINGH BAKSHI
[APPLICATION] Multistage catalytic process for olefin etherification
US Pat. 11400846 - Filed Apr 10, 2006
Date: May, 2007 (54) MULTISTAGE CATALYTIC PROCESS FOR OLEFIN ETHERIFICATION (76)
Inventor: Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: ...
[APPLICATION] Low temperature low cost sulfuric acid alkylation process
US Pat. 11400845 - Filed Apr 10, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
... Al Bakshi (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 23, 2007 Novel Mixing Device Reactor details
... Katy, TX (US) Correspondence Address: AMARJIT SINGH BAKSHI REFINING ...
[APPLICATION] Low cost selective Octene process : RHT-Octene
US Pat. 11540179 - Filed Sep 29, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
Date: Apr. 3, 2008 RHT Octene Process (54) LOW COST SELECTIVE OCTENE PROCESS :
RHT-OCTENE (75) Inventor: Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy, TX (US) Correspondence ...
[APPLICATION] Low cost high yield Iso-octene/ Isooctane process with capability to revamp ...
US Pat. 11454044 - Filed Jun 15, 2006 - Refining Hydrocarbon Technologies LLC
... Al Bakshi (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 20, 2007 RHT Iso-Octene Process ... WITH
CAPABILITY TO REVAMP THE MTBE UNITS (75) Inventor: Amarjit Singh Bakshi, Katy,
...
///////
Jean Steinhardt Consulting LLC specializes in training the people in your organization to squeeze the maximum value from your subscribed databases. Follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for more tips in how to maximize search effectiveness (and pass the word to friends and colleagues)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Revisiting a LinkedIn Discussion
“Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom.” -- Francis Bacon, Sr. (English Lawyer and Philosopher. 1561-1626)
Not all LinkedIn groups are created equal. Some are little more than infomercials. Others are a mix. The Oil Refining Global Technology Forum is a mix. I have highlighted the following discussion in previous posts. Since then, the discussion has grown. I find it fascinating, so I am reproducing the most recent contributions below.
If you find value in the discussion, consider joining LinkedIn, and then join the Oil Refining Global Technology Forum.
When you get really inspired, contribute a comment to the discussion … and you may make some useful connections.
///////
Latest contribution to a LinkedIn Group discussion
Oil Refining: Global Technology Forum
source: http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=25931171&gid=1951256&trk=EML_anet_qa_ttle-cThOon0JumNFomgJt7dBpSBA
Teymur A., Senior Specialist (Refining/Petrochemicals) SOCAR, Azerbaijan, began the discussion with …
“What would be good alternative for Delayed Coking Unit in a refinery scheme? Feedstock is vacuum residue or slurry from FCC.”
Here are the responses …
Bill Howe • A niche solution might be to produce emulsion fuel as demonstrated at Mazeikiai refinery in 2008. Very low capital cost (<$50 million) which distinguishes it from other conversion technologies which run to hundreds of millions of dollars. Works on uncut vacuum residue allowing the cutter to be recovered to the fuel pool providing value add approaching a coker without the capital risk (an all liquid product solution - no low value coke). The niche issue is about finding a sink for the emulsion fuel.
Bill Howe
Independent Consultant
Bill Howe is the Chief Executive Officer at Quadrise Fuels International, a manufacturer of oil in water emulsions from refinery vacuum residues (and heavier). Quadrise sells a low cost equivalent to conventional HFO by establishing production facilities on refiner's sites. Benefits to the refiner are the ability to sell uncut vacuum residue to Quadrise at a price in excess of its intrinsic value as a fuel oil component; where its value is diminished by the need to add high value cutter-stock for viscosity control. Mr. Howe has more than 32 years of experience in the natural resources industry. Prior he was an Executive Director of Oil, Gas, and Energy at Bateman Projects, an EPC contractor; where he was responsible globally for oil, gas, water, and energy contracting operations. Mr. Howe has also worked as Director of Sales and Marketing at Foster Wheeler Energy Limited, an EPC contractor. He is knowledgeable on all commercial facets of the EPC contracting business and has specific experience around power generation, oil refining, GTL, residue emulsion fuel and water and waste engineering operations. Mr. Howe has knowledge on the process industries in South Africa where he was Managing Director of Foster Wheeler's local affiliate.
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=54186678&authType=name&authToken=cYIK&trk=anet_mfeed_profile
///////
Ron Wright
I think the answer would depend on what products you are trying to maximize and the quality of the vacuum resid you are working with. In general, you have carbon removal (delayed coking, resid FCC, visbreaking, solvent deashpalting) or hydrogen addition (Resid hydrotreating/hydrocracking ) options. They all have their place depending on the situation.
Ron
Rob Wong
One other to consider, in addition to Ron's excellent suggestions, is a fluid coker. However, you need to have a ready disposition for the byproduct low BTU gas.
Roger Haglund
Depends what product you are primarly interested in, and what Capext you can carry
For a diesel driven refinery and with a hydrocracker a coker is a good alternative but an alternative would be a gasifier with Hydrogen recovery (and Cogen) to run the hydrocracker. The latter solved the hydrogen issue and removes all residual products which the coker have to deal with. It also saves NG, LPG or naphtha from making hydrogen out of.
Stefan Romocki
All conversion processes have the same essential drivers; Revenue (a function of product quality and yield), Operating costs (energy consumed and other expenses such as catalyst), Capital (a function of capacity and complexity) while overall investment return is a product of net revenue over capex.
What we found is that liquid product yield is a major driver for the economics of conversion. Transportation fuels are subject to far less elastic pricing than gases, or heavy products. For example, while oil is $80 today, the price of natural gas (a proxy for refinery fuel gas) is only worth $27 on an energy equivalency basis. That implies within a conversion strategy it is best to minimize conversion to things which become gases and maximize conversion to liquids in the transport fuel boiling range.
If you would like to consider a contemporary conversion strategy, look at high conversion slurry hydrocracking. ENI's EST process is being built commercially at 23,000 bpd in Italy (2012) and offers up to 98% conversion. RIPI's HRH technology is unique in that it operates at mild hydrocracker pressure (70bar) but still offers 90-95% conversion relying on a very active hydrogenation catalyst. Both these processes recover and remanufacture catalyst within the process limits which reduces operating costs and increases run lengths. Most refinery licensing company now offer slurry processes, but our bias is towards the more active catalysts with lower gas and by-product yields.
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng
Stefan you are right as one wants from conversion process is product in gasoline/diesel or gas oil to get best ROI.
But the question is what the alternative to Delayed Coking is and I guess the premise is to lower in cost than Delayed Coker.
As we all know the most competitive refinery capacity is at least 300, 000 bbls/d refinery or higher. But all the refiners do not have financing capability to build refinery for that capacity and complexity also will drive the cost up. So Refiners have to build what they can afford not based only ROI.
But I think the question s what are alternative
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng • REINSERTED RESPONSE
Most of the alternatives have been provided above in the comments from the experts. The major requirements after that one has to do the linear programming to look at the economics of the options. Even after the economics one has to look at the constraints of the financing and debt what the corporation is comfortable with.
Based on experience if financing/debt and cost control is major criteria, it can be easily point to certain options.
The Option of SDA and RESID FCC (if existing FCC can be revamped to high coke option) is a good one based on the required product slate. Otherwise still the other options are SDA and gasified where one can produce syngas and generate power, other option is to use syn gas to convert to valuable fuel like diesel etc.
Another option is SDA and Coking operation with new technology of Rotary kiln technology which much simpler to operate.
As regards to Flexicoking it is site specific and normally not profitable and optimum technology except in exceptional case. This technology is offered by EXXONMOBIL and mostly used by them at about 6 or 7 refineries. One license was sold to Hellenic in 2008 and could be site specific or was not evaluated properly by the Hellenic as justification was not strong for low BTU gas. This also was very expensive option.
Attilio Donarelli
My personal opinion on the CONS of each alternative for the Bottom of the Barrel conversion. Still Coker seems to be the most cheap and cheerful solution
Slurry process - not tested commercially
Gasification and Power production - works mainly when the price of electricity is subsidised
SDA - not to couple with Hydrocraker only FCC
Ebullating bed vac residue hydroconversion - work better than in the past but sitll high capex and opex
Coker - what to do with the coke?
Flexicoker - Exxonmobil licensed 4 units to Exxon refineries, 1 in Venezuela and 1 in Greece. Total 6, does it mean anything?
RFCC - not for very high concarbon feeds
Mario Vanacore
at the present crude oil mkt situation (70-80 $/bbl and low margins) coker is certainly one of the most convenient conv technologies, at an higher crude oil price (let say around 100 $/bbl or even higher) other technologies become much interesting (Residue HDC, Ebullated bed, etc). Capex and Opex for all these type of unit are usually higher.
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi
Coming back to the question, if refiner does not have resources to put Delayed Coker which technologies he should consider if any. As I understand that is the question.
///////
Visit Jean Steinhardt’s LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/jeansteinhardtresearch ... then invite him to join your network.
Not all LinkedIn groups are created equal. Some are little more than infomercials. Others are a mix. The Oil Refining Global Technology Forum is a mix. I have highlighted the following discussion in previous posts. Since then, the discussion has grown. I find it fascinating, so I am reproducing the most recent contributions below.
If you find value in the discussion, consider joining LinkedIn, and then join the Oil Refining Global Technology Forum.
When you get really inspired, contribute a comment to the discussion … and you may make some useful connections.
///////
Latest contribution to a LinkedIn Group discussion
Oil Refining: Global Technology Forum
source: http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=25931171&gid=1951256&trk=EML_anet_qa_ttle-cThOon0JumNFomgJt7dBpSBA
Teymur A., Senior Specialist (Refining/Petrochemicals) SOCAR, Azerbaijan, began the discussion with …
“What would be good alternative for Delayed Coking Unit in a refinery scheme? Feedstock is vacuum residue or slurry from FCC.”
Here are the responses …
Bill Howe • A niche solution might be to produce emulsion fuel as demonstrated at Mazeikiai refinery in 2008. Very low capital cost (<$50 million) which distinguishes it from other conversion technologies which run to hundreds of millions of dollars. Works on uncut vacuum residue allowing the cutter to be recovered to the fuel pool providing value add approaching a coker without the capital risk (an all liquid product solution - no low value coke). The niche issue is about finding a sink for the emulsion fuel.
Bill Howe
Independent Consultant
Bill Howe is the Chief Executive Officer at Quadrise Fuels International, a manufacturer of oil in water emulsions from refinery vacuum residues (and heavier). Quadrise sells a low cost equivalent to conventional HFO by establishing production facilities on refiner's sites. Benefits to the refiner are the ability to sell uncut vacuum residue to Quadrise at a price in excess of its intrinsic value as a fuel oil component; where its value is diminished by the need to add high value cutter-stock for viscosity control. Mr. Howe has more than 32 years of experience in the natural resources industry. Prior he was an Executive Director of Oil, Gas, and Energy at Bateman Projects, an EPC contractor; where he was responsible globally for oil, gas, water, and energy contracting operations. Mr. Howe has also worked as Director of Sales and Marketing at Foster Wheeler Energy Limited, an EPC contractor. He is knowledgeable on all commercial facets of the EPC contracting business and has specific experience around power generation, oil refining, GTL, residue emulsion fuel and water and waste engineering operations. Mr. Howe has knowledge on the process industries in South Africa where he was Managing Director of Foster Wheeler's local affiliate.
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=54186678&authType=name&authToken=cYIK&trk=anet_mfeed_profile
///////
Ron Wright
I think the answer would depend on what products you are trying to maximize and the quality of the vacuum resid you are working with. In general, you have carbon removal (delayed coking, resid FCC, visbreaking, solvent deashpalting) or hydrogen addition (Resid hydrotreating/hydrocracking ) options. They all have their place depending on the situation.
Ron
Rob Wong
One other to consider, in addition to Ron's excellent suggestions, is a fluid coker. However, you need to have a ready disposition for the byproduct low BTU gas.
Roger Haglund
Depends what product you are primarly interested in, and what Capext you can carry
For a diesel driven refinery and with a hydrocracker a coker is a good alternative but an alternative would be a gasifier with Hydrogen recovery (and Cogen) to run the hydrocracker. The latter solved the hydrogen issue and removes all residual products which the coker have to deal with. It also saves NG, LPG or naphtha from making hydrogen out of.
Stefan Romocki
All conversion processes have the same essential drivers; Revenue (a function of product quality and yield), Operating costs (energy consumed and other expenses such as catalyst), Capital (a function of capacity and complexity) while overall investment return is a product of net revenue over capex.
What we found is that liquid product yield is a major driver for the economics of conversion. Transportation fuels are subject to far less elastic pricing than gases, or heavy products. For example, while oil is $80 today, the price of natural gas (a proxy for refinery fuel gas) is only worth $27 on an energy equivalency basis. That implies within a conversion strategy it is best to minimize conversion to things which become gases and maximize conversion to liquids in the transport fuel boiling range.
If you would like to consider a contemporary conversion strategy, look at high conversion slurry hydrocracking. ENI's EST process is being built commercially at 23,000 bpd in Italy (2012) and offers up to 98% conversion. RIPI's HRH technology is unique in that it operates at mild hydrocracker pressure (70bar) but still offers 90-95% conversion relying on a very active hydrogenation catalyst. Both these processes recover and remanufacture catalyst within the process limits which reduces operating costs and increases run lengths. Most refinery licensing company now offer slurry processes, but our bias is towards the more active catalysts with lower gas and by-product yields.
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng
Stefan you are right as one wants from conversion process is product in gasoline/diesel or gas oil to get best ROI.
But the question is what the alternative to Delayed Coking is and I guess the premise is to lower in cost than Delayed Coker.
As we all know the most competitive refinery capacity is at least 300, 000 bbls/d refinery or higher. But all the refiners do not have financing capability to build refinery for that capacity and complexity also will drive the cost up. So Refiners have to build what they can afford not based only ROI.
But I think the question s what are alternative
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi, C.Eng • REINSERTED RESPONSE
Most of the alternatives have been provided above in the comments from the experts. The major requirements after that one has to do the linear programming to look at the economics of the options. Even after the economics one has to look at the constraints of the financing and debt what the corporation is comfortable with.
Based on experience if financing/debt and cost control is major criteria, it can be easily point to certain options.
The Option of SDA and RESID FCC (if existing FCC can be revamped to high coke option) is a good one based on the required product slate. Otherwise still the other options are SDA and gasified where one can produce syngas and generate power, other option is to use syn gas to convert to valuable fuel like diesel etc.
Another option is SDA and Coking operation with new technology of Rotary kiln technology which much simpler to operate.
As regards to Flexicoking it is site specific and normally not profitable and optimum technology except in exceptional case. This technology is offered by EXXONMOBIL and mostly used by them at about 6 or 7 refineries. One license was sold to Hellenic in 2008 and could be site specific or was not evaluated properly by the Hellenic as justification was not strong for low BTU gas. This also was very expensive option.
Attilio Donarelli
My personal opinion on the CONS of each alternative for the Bottom of the Barrel conversion. Still Coker seems to be the most cheap and cheerful solution
Slurry process - not tested commercially
Gasification and Power production - works mainly when the price of electricity is subsidised
SDA - not to couple with Hydrocraker only FCC
Ebullating bed vac residue hydroconversion - work better than in the past but sitll high capex and opex
Coker - what to do with the coke?
Flexicoker - Exxonmobil licensed 4 units to Exxon refineries, 1 in Venezuela and 1 in Greece. Total 6, does it mean anything?
RFCC - not for very high concarbon feeds
Mario Vanacore
at the present crude oil mkt situation (70-80 $/bbl and low margins) coker is certainly one of the most convenient conv technologies, at an higher crude oil price (let say around 100 $/bbl or even higher) other technologies become much interesting (Residue HDC, Ebullated bed, etc). Capex and Opex for all these type of unit are usually higher.
Dr. Amarjit Bakshi
Coming back to the question, if refiner does not have resources to put Delayed Coker which technologies he should consider if any. As I understand that is the question.
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