Friday, February 23, 2018

How Crude: Crude to Chemicals



A recent press release alerts us to a joint effort between CB&I, Chevron Lummus Global, and Saudi Aramco to develop crude to chemicals processes.  Aramco has been working on this effort for at least a decade.

Conventional processes use the leftovers from refined products to produce valuable chemicals.

The effort here is to cut out the middle man, i.e., to produce valuable chemicals directly. Here is the text of the press release …

///////
Saudi Aramco, CB&I and Chevron Lummus Global sign Joint Development Agreement to demonstrate and commercialize Thermal Crude to Chemicals (TC2C™) technology
DHAHRAN, January 18, 2018
Saudi Aramco, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Saudi Aramco Technologies, has today signed a three-party Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with CB&I, a U.S.-based leading provider of technology and infrastructure for the energy industry, and Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), a joint venture between CB&I and Chevron U.S.A. Inc., and a leading process technology licensor.
The JDA will serve to scale up and commercialize Saudi Aramco’s Thermal Crude to Chemicals (TC2C™) technology. This innovative technology has been pioneered at Saudi Aramco’s Research & Development Center over the past few years in order to enable higher chemicals yield than previously achievable. This innovation also bypasses conventional refining steps by employing a proprietary direct conversion process. This proprietary technology represents significant innovative progress and complements Saudi Aramco’s crude-to-chemicals conventional projects. The innovative and conventional approaches together enable and accelerate the growth of Saudi Aramco’s Chemicals business.
Saudi Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said, “Saudi Aramco is going beyond the quick wins and is instead prioritizing investments in groundbreaking R&D and technology. Today’s Joint Development Agreement with CB&I and CLG is a technological first which will position Saudi Aramco to maximize the value of each barrel of crude oil it produces in the near future. This is a further opportunity for Saudi Aramco to contribute to the development of a stronger, more diversified Saudi economy, one that creates high value employment opportunities for young Saudis in a further realization of Vision 2030 objectives.”
Saudi Aramco’s Chief Technology Officer, Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter said, “We are delighted to be working with our partners to fully realize the immense potential of this groundbreaking technology. This partnership will enable us to leverage the unique strengths of our companies to accelerate the scale-up and de-risking of the technology, while reiterating Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in crude oil and commodities production. This will support the Kingdom’s efforts toward industrial diversification, job creation and technology leadership in Saudi Arabia through downstream conversion of chemicals.”
“It is an honor to partner with Saudi Aramco to develop the most competitive processing solution for crude to chemicals,” said Patrick K. Mullen, CB&I’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is a unique integration of advanced technology processes for the production of high-value petrochemicals from crude oil, and our three companies are best positioned to do so.”
“CLG’s hydroprocessing technologies and CB&I’s ethylene cracker technology combined with Saudi Aramco’s proprietary thermal crude to chemicals technology will provide a strong foundation for this joint development,” said Leon de Bruyn, CLG’s Managing Director. “We are excited to be partnering with Saudi Aramco and making a positive impact on our industry by demonstrating an innovative approach to crude to chemicals.”
http://www.saudiaramco.com/en/home/news-media/news/thermal-crude-to-chemicals.html
///////
Google: CB&I and Saudi Aramco



TIP: Follow these steps to unearth more background on the crude to chemicals effort
Go to Google Scholar: http://scholar.google.com
In the upper left of the screen: Click triple bar
Click: Advanced search
Don’t: with the exact phrase: crude to chemicals
Do: with all of the words: crude to chemicals Aramco
Then browse (sorry, this is the most efficient way to find what you are looking for)


Friday, February 16, 2018

The future of data storage



Here is a story of big data.  It is not the best told story.  The English is not perfect, and the observations are not all that startling.  That said, it does provide some insight into how Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s most influential oil giants, is dealing with this problem.

Plus, the complete text of the article is available at no charge.

Here are details …

///////
The Future of Data Storage: A Case Study with the Saudi Company
Azzah Al Ghamdi, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Computer Information Systems Department, Imam Abdalrhman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Thomas Thomson, School of Computer Science, Information Technology Department, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Published: Jan. 11, 2018
DOI: 10.11648/j.jeee.20180601.11
Abstract
The age of big data has emerged. These data are generated from online transactions, emails, posts, videos, search queries, etc. People also produce data by using the Internet of Things (IoT) applications and devices. Storing these massive quantities of data has become one of the most important and critical issues for big companies like Google, LinkedIn, Yahoo, and for the digital society in general. Traditional data storage methods such as Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMSs) are coming under increase pressure due to their capability limitations. However, many of new technical solutions have proved their efficiency in storing big data for large companies; some examples of these solutions include NetApp, Hadoop, SAN, the cloud, data centres, etc. The storage, accessibility, and security of big data issues are not only a computer science concern; it has become a topic of interest in many fields such as healthcare, E-commerce, and business in general. This project is investigating the data storage methods and future requirements for one of the largest oil companies in the world, Saudi SA Oil Company. A survey was carried out to understand current storage problems, and collect requirements to implement effective storage methodologies that overcome most of SA’s storage difficulties.
To cite this article
Azzah Al Ghamdi, Thomas Thomson, The Future of Data Storage: A Case Study with the Saudi Company, Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Vol. 6, No. 1, 2018, pp. 1-11. doi: 10.11648/j.jeee.20180601.11
http://www.eeejournal.org/article?journalid=239&doi=10.11648/j.jeee.20180601.11
///////


Wednesday, February 7, 2018

REFINING INDIA 2018: BS-VI and other stuff



Refining India 2018 (https://refiningindia.com/home/) has announced a call for papers.

Here is the description …

///////
Refining India 2018
The International Conference for India's Leaders in Oil Refining and Petrochemicals
Shangri-La - Eros Hotel, New Delhi, 24-25 September 2018
New and bigger venue. More opportunities to present. Now all we need is your presentation.
Commissioning to meet a projected doubling of India's refining capacity is expected to be in place by 2025. What part will you and your company play in this next major phase of the world's most dynamic oil processing industry? Now in its sixth year, Refining India is a unique opportunity bringing together senior executives from India's refining industry and speakers from international companies at the leading edge of refining and petrochemical technology.
Refining India 2018 in particular welcomes ideas for presentation on these topics:
•Completing the journey to BS–VI (?) fuels
•Digital Developments: Virtual steps to leaner, more informed, operations
•Greater Energy Efficiency, higher margins, smaller carbon footprint
•Products to Market: advances in blending, storage and distribution
•The growing role of Renewable Fuels
•Crude Sourcing opportunities and future options
•Marine Fuels Post 2020: higher demand for distillate
In the first instance, email your 200-word abstract to presentations@refiningindia.com  by 15 March 2018.
Except Indian headquartered Operators, EPCs and research institutes who should email their submissions to refiningindia@idsindia.org
Technology suppliers please note that a Refining India presentation requires much more than your own claims for your products or services. Your presentation should include proof of concept through commercial application and an explanation of the takeaways offered to your audience. Presentations that meet these guidelines will be preferred. Company profiles, if any, must be brief.
Sponsorship packages including the opportunity to present to Refining India's audience are available.
For more details and to book your sponsorship package, contact
sales@petroleumtechnology.com
///////

TIP: If you don’t know what BS-VI is, don’t worry. Google® bs-vi fuels, and all will be revealed.

BS-VI stands for Bharat Stage IV emission norms (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharat_Stage_emission_standards)

Selected results from the bs-vi fuels search …

///////
How the upcoming BS-VI grade fuel could affect you - Feature ...
https://www.autocarindia.com/.../how-the-upcoming-bs-vi-grade-fuel-could-affect-yo...
Cached
Nov 18, 2017 -
However, vehicle makers and fuel suppliers were caught off-guard by the government's shock announcement in early 2016 of skipping BS-V altogether and bringing forward the introduction of BS VI norms to 2020. The jump from BS-IV to BS-VI is drastic, not only from a technology standpoint for carmakers ...
Delhi to get BS-VI fuel two years early to tackle pollution - Livemint
www.livemint.com › Industry › Energy
Cached
Nov 16, 2017 -
New Delhi: The world's cleanest fuel will be introduced in the national capital two years earlier than planned, the Union government said on Wednesday as it seeks to reduce vehicular pollution. Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) fuel will now be available with effect from 1 April 2018 in Delhi, the petroleum ministry ...
BS-VI emission norms for vehicles: So near and yet so far, here is why ...
indianexpress.com › Explained
Cached
Nov 20, 2017 -
On the face of it, the November 15 decision by the union Petroleum Ministry to advance the introduction of BS-VI grade petrol and diesel in Delhi by two years to April 2018 appears to be a logical step in fighting air pollution. Delve deeper, and doubts emerge over possible implementation impracticalities.
Effect Of BS-VI Grade Fuel On Vehicles In Delhi - Outlook India
https://www.outlookindia.com › Website › Business
Cached
Nov 20, 2017 -
The Government has taken a bold move by preponing the Bharat Stage VI grade fuel introduction in the national capital territory (NCT) of Delhi to April 1, 2018, two years ahead of schedule!
BS VI standards: Centre is rushing clean fuel to Delhi but is not so ...
https://scroll.in › India › Clean Technology
Cached
Nov 18, 2017 -
The central government this week advanced the deadline for introducing the clean Bharat Stage VI fuel in Delhi by two years to April 2018. But it does not appear as eager to usher in cleaner cars. BS VI fuel, as it is commonly known, refers to the least polluting petrol and diesel available in the world, and ...
India: Fuels: Diesel and Gasoline | Transport Policy
https://www.transportpolicy.net/standard/india-fuels-diesel-and-gasoline/
Cached
Similar
As of 2017, India requires on-road diesel and gasoline nationwide to meet BS IV specifications (maximum 50 ppm sulfur). These specifications will tighten to BS VI (10 ppm sulfur) in 2020. Standard type. Fuel quality. Regulating Body Further detail regarding India's regulatory bodies can be found on the India Regulatory ...
BS-VI: Heavy on the pocket, light on your lungs- Business News
www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/bs-vi-fuel-delhi.../264189.html
Cached
Nov 16, 2017 -
The BS-VI auto fuel, in which the amount of sulphur in both petrol and diesel is limited to a maximum of 10 parts per million (PPM), will be available in Delhi with the new financial year, but car manufacturers have said BS VI cars will only be available by 2020. Bharat stage emission standards -known as ...
Delhi Air Pollution: BS-VI Grade Auto Fuels To Be Introduced Ahead ...
https://auto.ndtv.com › News
Cached
Nov 15, 2017 -
The Petroleum Ministry in consultation with Public Oil Marketing Companies has decided to bring forward the date of BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi with effect from April 1, 2018 instead of April 1, 2020. In fact, Petroleum Ministry OMCs have also been asked to examine the possibility of introduction ...
Delhi To Get Cleaner BS-VI Grade Fuels From April, What It Means: 10 ...
https://www.ndtv.com › All India
Cached
Nov 15, 2017 -
The full benefit of the government's decision to advance introduction of BS-VI grade fuel in Delhi will be possible only when vehicle technology is also upgraded to this standard, says policy think-tank Centre for Science and Environment. Till then, it says, there will be "some emission benefits".
///////