Operations and Process Technology Summit
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2017 American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers OPERATIONS AND PROCESS TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT Conference Daily Published by DAY ONE | #AFPMSUMMIT17 ® HYDROCARBON PROCESSING Sunday/Monday | October 1/2, 2017 Weathering the storms INSIDE THIS ISSUE 3 Schedule of sessions and special events and promoting innovation 7 Five unique ways to improve revamp projects CHET THOMPSON, President, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Fluor explores how harnessing the knowledge of industry subject Welcome to the AFPM Op- Not only have we improved lives around the globe matter experts (SMEs) improves erations & Process Technology through our products, but we continue to innovate, ad- productivity and predictability Summit, and thank you for join- vancing our industries through modern technology and ef- ing us this year in Austin, Texas. ficiencies. By investing billions of dollars in research and 8 Improve visibility, increase The past five weeks have been development, and utilizing our collective ingenuity and in- profitability with planning difficult and challenging for our dustriousness, we have developed new processes that have and scheduling Gulf Coast associates, employ- reduced emissions and made the air cleaner now than it has Navigating unpredictable and ees and facilities, and for the mil- been in 50 years. risky environments with AspenTech lions of people impacted by Hur- Fuels and petrochemicals are largely responsible for 13 Overcoming the “lost decade” ricanes Harvey and Irma. AFPM many of humankind’s major advancements over the last of ICS security remains committed to continue 100 years, and our industries will continue to be at the Claroty’s Cofounder Galina Antova its efforts to help in the recovery. center of future innovations for generations to follow. The discusses how industry must Hurricane Harvey ripped through the epicenter of US work that we do is instrumental in advancing our indus- better prepare for cyber security fuels and petrochemical production, knocking offline 25% tries, which is why this conference is so important. I assure threats on the horizon of US refining capacity and approximately 80% of ethyl- you that AFPM will take every opportunity to advocate ene production. Yet, in a matter of only a few weeks, our for, and give voice to, the essential role that fuels and pet- 16 What is APC 2.0? industries were well on their way to being fully operation- rochemicals play in improving modern life. Companies are moving away al. That is a testament to the preparedness and resilience This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Summit, and from model-based multivariable of our industries, as well as to our dedicated and skilled we want to extend our sincerest thanks to the many people tools to more agile advanced workforce. This did not happen by accident—we were that have made this event possible over the years, and for process automation, prepared and enacted critical safety procedures, while developing another program that you are sure to find infor- says APC Performance working closely with first responders and the federal gov- mative and beneficial. 18 List of exhibitors, hospitality ernment to ensure that any disruptions to the fuel supply Again, welcome, and thank you for attending and showing suites, meeting rooms map would be minimized. your support for our industries and the great state of Texas.• Commemorating 70 years of industry advocacy For 70 years, AFPM’s Q&A and mittee on petroleum refining capacity of US automobile demand post-WW2, “Chris” McDowell, appeared on the Technology Forum—now the Op- to the National Petroleum Council on demand for fuels grew rapidly, and panel in 1978, and has continued to erations & Process Technology Sum- July 8, 1947, reported a total US re- refineries had to add capacity and be- participate in Summit planning and mit—has played an important role in fining capacity of 5.65 MMbpd (with come more reliable and efficient. other activities for almost 40 years! leading the discussion of issues, trends an operating rate of 91%). Of the 141 The first mention of a “panel of Only Warren Letzsch, with more than and challenges facing the refining and refineries operating in 2017, 82 were authorities” discussion at an AFPM 42 years of participation, has a longer petrochemical industries, as well as built prior to 1947, and the total num- meeting was in 1947. This panel dis- tenure on the committee. addressing specific operating issues ber of refineries in 2017 is about a cussed catalytic cracking at the 1947 Aside from small adjustments to and problems within the industry. quarter of the number in 1947. Refin- AFPM Annual Meeting in San Anto- the panels for Q&A and more specif- The 2017 Summit represents 70 eries are now much larger and have a nio, Texas. Note: AFPM was called ic Q&A sessions for plant managers, years of providing an open forum for total 2017 capacity of 18.62 MMbpd the Western Petroleum Refiners As- the forum did not make many chang- industry professionals to network, col- (with an operating rate of 96.6%), ac- sociation (WPRA) at that time. Until es until the Principles and Practices laborate and share technical informa- cording to a report from the Energy 1961, the Q&A was held in El Dora- (P&P) sessions were added in 2004 tion and best practices among peers. Information Association (EIA). do, Kansas—legend has it that the lo- to complement the Q&A sessions. Since the first Q&A in 1947, the With the innovation of fluid cata- cation was chosen because there were The P&P sessions were implemented refining industry has grown by leaps lytic cracking, improved catalyst tech- few, if any, distractions to prevent at- to reinforce fundamental principles and bounds. The report of the com- nology in the 1940s and the expansion tendees from the sessions. and proven operating practices of re- After 1961, the Q&A began mov- finery and petrochemical processes ing to different locations around the for a target audience of mid-career country and attendance grew accord- and junior process engineers and op- ingly, reaching the 1,200–1,300 range erations staff. in the 1970s. The Q&A panels ex- In 2005, the Plant Automation and panded over the years to more than 20 Decision Support Conference was co- panelists, who sat on the stage for two located with the Q&A, and the “Tech- and a half days and answered submit- nology Forum” was formed. Attend- ted and floor questions. Today, four ees whose responsibilities overlap disciplines are broken up into four between process engineering, unit op- separate panels. erations, process control and planning One thing that has not changed were now able to use their conference since 1947 is that the strength of the time more effectively. For the last few Q&A lies in the diverse exchange of years, we have added a Young Lead- ideas from competitors, operating ers segment, where we offer a three- While technologies and our industries have changed over the past 70 years, the companies, suppliers and customers, hour session and a special networking attendees’ and presenters’ willingness to educate and collaborate with one another and the networking among the at- has remained a key reason for the conference’s long-term success. Source: AFPM. tendees. The first woman, Christina See 70 YEARS, page 3 Let’s do The Right Catalyst the math. 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Learn more about how Grace has delivered value to its customers through collaboration. Visit grace.com/value grace.com/value The global leader in hydroprocessing catalysts A joint venture of Grace and Chevron 70 YEARS, continued from page 1 event for less experienced industry The more things change, the more ter materials, enhanced maintenance professionals to attract and bring they remain the same. The topics of methods and improved equipment. them back to the Q&A and, more im- discussion at the Q&A over the last For 70 years, this conference has portantly, retain them in our industry. 70 years have been very similar. Dis- been—and remains—the leading The industry has changed greatly cussions about fluid catalytic crack- technical venue for the exchange of over the last 70 years (e.g., intense ing, crude quality, coking, alkylation, information, ideas and best practices competitive pressures have resulted catalysts, reforming and hydropro- in the petrochemical and refining in- in numerous small refinery closures cessing—among other long-time sub- dustries. The Summit would not have and a reduction in the number of in- jects—have dominated the decades. lasted and remained strong without dependents in the business). Those As technologies have developed and the buy-in of the professionals in our same pressures have led to mergers the industry has become more effi- industry, and the attendees’ and pre- and acquisitions that have changed cient, asset reliability and plant avail- senters’ willingness to educate and the shape of the industry.