Gamma scanning technique for diagnosting oil and natural gas refining equipment in operation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31381/perfiles_ingenieria.v20i15.3546

Keywords:

Industrial columns, scanning, radioisotope, source, detector, pack, neutrón, backscatering

Abstract

Radioisotope techniques are highly useful tools to investigate variety of problems in oil & natural gas refining and petrochemical industry. These techniques and applications are in routine service to industries of many countries. Gamma-ray scanning, often referred to as “column scanning”, is a convenient, cost effective, fast, efficient and non-intrusive technique to examine inner details of a process column or a reaction vessel, while it is in operation. Column scanning allows an engineer in petroleum refineries, gas processing installations and chemical plants, to study tray or packing hydraulics inside a distillation column at any set of on-line condition. It provides essential data to optimize the performance of columns, extend column run times, track the performancedeteriorating effects of fouling and solids deposition, and identify maintenance requirements well in advance of scheduled turnarounds. This on-line information can reduce repair downtimes significantly. On the other hand, it is possible to determine the operational state of a container hosting inside a hydrogenated material, inspecting the internal condition, using the neutron logging from the outside. Neutron backscatter can be the solution in these cases. Either way, the fundamental condition for its application is the existence of hydrogenated material in contact with the other side of the wall. It is also possible to measure levels from the outside of an enclosure with hydrogenated materials or low atomic number; for example, levels of acids or other corrosive or hazardous materials. Another alternative is the detection of interfaces between fluids inside tanks. Column scanning were introduced a few years ago. Since then, the gamma scanning technique is largely used in routine services. Qualified technical staffs have performed hundreds of scans on various types of process columns in petroleum refineries, gas processing installations and chemical plants.

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Author Biography

Carlos Sebastián Calvo, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Perú.

Training and experience in various fields of process engineering, highlighting the oil and petrochemical industries and the steel and foundry industry, in addition to his career in industrial, energy and environmental application services; experiences that have been acquired through postgraduate studies and work performance in the public and private sectors. Skills, knowledge and experience in technical and administrative processes with emphasis on planning and control of administrative, manufacturing and business planning and management operations, with specialized handling of information technologies, industrial software applications and project management (MS-Project, Win QSB, QFD, LINDO, LINGO, GLP, among others).

References

J. Abdullah, “Gamma Scanning for Troubleshooting, Optimisation and Predictive Maintenance of Distillation Columns,” in Petroleum Refineries and Chemical Plants, Proceedings of the International Nuclear Conference, 2002, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

J. Charlton, Radioisotope Techniques for Problem-Solving in Industrial Process Plants, Leonard Hill, 1986.

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International Atomic Energy Agency, “Radiotracer Technology for Engineering Unit Operation Studies and Unit Processes Optimization”, Technical Report, Krakow, Poland, 1999.

International Atomic Energy Agency, “Radioisotope Applications for Troubleshooting and Optimizing Industrial Processes”, Technical Report, March 2002.

Safety series N°38. IAEA, “Radiation Protection Procedures”, Viena, 1973.

S. Glasstone y A. Sesonske, “Ingeniería de Reactores Nucleares”, Barcelona, Editorial Reverté, 1968.

S. Calvo et al., “Guía para Aplicaciones Industriales de Radiotrazadores y Fuentes Selladas de Radiación”, OIEA-ARCAL XLIII, 2000.

S. Calvo, G. Maghella, E. Mamani and J. Maguiña, “Overview of radiotracer experiments for better understanding of wastewater and water treatment plants in Lima (Perú)”, Revista del INCQ.

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Published

2020-12-31

How to Cite

Sebastián Calvo, C. . (2020). Gamma scanning technique for diagnosting oil and natural gas refining equipment in operation. Engineering Profiles, 16(16), 65–75. https://doi.org/10.31381/perfiles_ingenieria.v20i15.3546

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 16 (2020): Perfiles de Ingeniería

Section

Ingeniería Industrial

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