Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a multi-stage process. The process comprises multiple first stage processes for producing an intermediate product from a feed, and multiple further stage processes for producing an end-product from the intermediate products. The first stage processes comprise multiple intermediate processes and the further stage processes comprise multiple end processes for producing the end product. An intermediate controller controls the first stage processes in response to one or more product properties of the end product EP and a further controller FC controls the further stage processes in response to the product properties of the intermediate product. The multi-stage process further comprises the step of assigning process values to each of the end processes and the intermediate processes. The intermediate controller IC controls operation of the intermediate processes to optimize the overall process value for producing the end product.

Abstract: A tube bundle for a shell and tube type heat exchanger has a support system that allows simple fabrication and provides a secure support of the tubes to mitigate vibration and problems associated with vibration. The tube bundle is composed of tubes that are supported by spaced cages having support rods sized to allow ample clearance with the adjacent tubes and configured in alternating positions and alternating orientations so that sets of four widely spaced cages form a complete support network. To ensure secure support to avoid vibration, sets of support stakes are inserted adjacent to (or in between) the cages to bias the tubes against the support rods of the cages. By this, fabrication is simplified, but a secure support system is maintained.

Abstract: A method for the removal of entrained hydrocarbons, particularly aromatics, from water by extracting the hydrocarbons in the water with a hydrocarbon which is relatively less soluble in the water than the entrained hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbons are then separated from the water by a process of coalescence/separation. The extractant is suitably a paraffinic hydrocarbon which, while having an affinity for the entrained hydrocarbon, is relatively less soluble in water than hydrocarbons such as aromatics. The hydrocarbons removed from the water can be recirculated to the feed with the composition of the recirculating phase being controlled to achieve the desired level of hydrocarbon removal.

Abstract: A distillation tower for use in a petrochemical or petroleum operation effects liquid and vapor separation by using centrifugal force applied to the feed introduced into a ring from a tangential inlet. The feed is separated into a liquid component that flows into the bottoms section of the tower and a vapor component that flows upwardly through the core of the ring to a wash zone in the tower. De-entrainment devices are provided in the core so that the vapor swirling upwardly impacts the devices and any remaining entrained liquid is separated from the vapor. As a result, overflash with decreased resid can be collected from the wash zone and used as feed suitable for a fluid catalytic cracking operation, for example.

Abstract: A de-entrainment device separates entrained liquid from vapor in a fluid stream that flows through a chimney tray in a distillation tower. The separated liquid is collected and shielded from the fluid stream to prevent re-entrainment of the liquid in the vapor flowing upward into the tower. The chimney tray includes risers with hats that have gutters to guide liquid toward the tray deck, channels to collect and drain liquid from the top of the hats to the tray deck, and baffles extending from the risers to shield the liquid collected on the tray deck from the vapor flow.

Abstract: A fired heater unit is disclosed having at least one radiant heating section with each of the at least one radiant heating section having a heating element located therein. The unit includes a convection section operatively connected to the at least one radiant heating section, wherein the convection section having at least one vertically oriented convection tube. Each of the at least one convection tube being operatively connected to the at least one radiant heating section. Each of the at least one convection tube includes an inner tube having process fluid flowing therethrough, wherein the process fluid being heated by the at least one radiant heating section, and an outer tube extending along a predetermined portion of the inner tube, wherein the outer tube is spaced from the inner tube to form a flow path therebetween.

Abstract: A high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil is added to a blend of incompatible oils to proactively address the potential for fouling heat exchange equipment. The HSDP component dissolves asphaltene precipitates and maintains suspension of inorganic particulates before coking affects heat exchange surfaces. An HSDP oil is also flushed through heat exchange equipment to remove any deposits and/or precipitates on a regular maintenance schedule before coking can affect heat exchange surfaces.

Abstract: A system and methodology for continuous condition monitoring of rotating equipment employ adaptive signal processing techniques to determine the RPM of a rotating machine from the time-based vibration data. RPM is determined based upon the input of a digitized time-based sample sequence of vibration data acquired directly from a vibration transducer for on-line real-time measurement of the machine RPM. Once RPM is determined, online vibration analysis for a given RPM or set of RPMs may be performed. The present invention extracts characteristic vibration features from vibration data and uses these extracted values to provide condition detection and diagnoses of machine faults.

Abstract: A tube bundle device useful in heat exchangers, condensers and other devices which has a number of tube support cages placed at extended locations along the length of the tubes. After the initial construction of the bundle in which the tubes are inserted into the support cages the tube bundle is stiffened by inserting sets of tube stakes between the tube support cages, preferably at the midpoint of the tube span between the cages. The tubes are supported by rods or bars in each tube lane at the tube support cage locations and the rods in each cage are rotated axially with respect to the rods in the next adjacent cage; in a similar manner, the stakes in each set are rotated axially with respect to the stakes in the next axially adjacent set.