Advanced analytics introduce a numerical and easily understood approach to tower gamma scanning

Refinery and chemical plant operations depend heavily on distillation and separation towers. Tower gamma scanning is well established in the process industries as a qualitative tool to help troubleshoot towers. Advances in data analysis have lead to a quantitative approach in expressing gamma scan data in numerical terms easily understood by process and operations engineers. 

In a recent Tracerco article published by Petroleum Quarterly Technology (PTQ) magazine you will be able to read three example case studies of packed towers that will answer questions concerning the state of liquid distribution through the packed bed and illustrate how Tracerco's PackView™ analysis was developed to consistently analyse Tru-Grid™ Scan data to reach a conclusive result.

 CLICK HERE To read the full article (Page 69) published in the Q2 2018 Petroleum Quarterly Technology (PTQ) issue.

Topics: Gamma Scanning, Liquid maldistribution, packed column, Packed Beds, Tru-Grid Scan, Suspected maldistribution in packed beds, gamma scan, liquid distribution, quantitative analysis pack beds, PackView Analysis, packed bed towers, packed bed scan, packed bed performance analytics, density of liquid

The challenging conditions faced in today’s oil and gas market has increased the focus on cost effective, sustainable operations. Operators are faced with the decision of extending or ending offshore production asset life and pre-decommissioning planning has emerged as a key challenge for the industry. Mitigating uncertainty, enabling decision making and justification as to whether to end or extend asset life, as well as detailed knowledge of asset conditions is crucial. In this blog, we will discuss how a range of Diagnostics services can be used to provide this detailed knowledge throughout late life operations.

Topics: pipeline integrity, Flow assurance, chemical tracers, reservoir, reservoir characterisation, NORM, NORM Management, Decommissioning, Flooded Memeber Inspection, Subsea Inspection, Subsea Integrity, water inflow, inflow measurement, pipeline life extension

Tracerco Diagnostics™ Flow study and meter proving services

Determine the Volume and Value of Material Lost To The Flare

Flare flow measurement is a crucial activity in chemical plants and refineries with loss of process material to the flare costing millions of dollars each year in profits and environmental costs. Tracerco Diagnostics™ Flow studies performed through sections of the flare piping system detect and isolate sources of fugitive flow. Once it is determined which unit(s) are contributing to the flare flow, each valve can be individually tested to determine which is leaking.

This blog will cover a customer case study illustrating how our Tracerco Diagnostics™ Flow studies played a key role in their predictive maintenance and process optimisation and a link to our Tracerco newsletter featuring two additional case studies on our flow study and meter proving services.

 

 

Topics: flare gas flow meter, flare study, flare system tracers, flare gas flow measurement, excessive flare flow, fugitive flare flow, Tracer Study

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Specific Safety Guide No. SSG-11 which relates to Radiation Safety in Industrial Radiography states that radiography companies must ensure that employees (Category A Workers and potentially others who enter controlled areas) are subject to regular dose assessments in order to ensure that radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably achievable and dose limits are not exceeded. It is essential that reliable dose information is collected to ensure that the exposure of workers is properly controlled. Furthermore, dose assessments will also serve to highlight bad (and good) working practices. To meet this requirement, the employer will engage an Approved Dosimetry Service (ADS) so that they may provide suitable personal dosimeters together with a formal dose record keeping service.

Topics: ped, personal electronic dosimeter, radiation monitor, radiation safety, Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection Adviser, EPD, electronic personal dosimeter, radiography, personal dosimetry

Are you planning to “wash” a catalyst bed in a reactor and need to monitor process conditions?

Using Tru-Scan™ technology to detect liquid levels in pressure vessels and catalyst levels in reactors is a fast and extremely reliable measurement performed online. One of the problems operations staff faced when planning a catalyst “wash” was not having an indication of any accumulated liquid level in the bottom of the vessel to monitor the procedure. Read more on how Tracerco was able to assist a customer with monitoring the liquid level throughout their planned wash campaign.

Topics: Tru-Scan, gamma scan, liquid restriction, SRU Unit, coke, Sulphur Recovery Unit, catalyst bed wash

In this blog post we will highlight and discuss, the top 5 questions we are asked about a Tracerco™ Interwell Study.

Topics: chemical tracers, reservoir, reservoir analysis, interwell, reservoir characterisation, tracers, smart tracers, tracer technology, well development

The first issue of 2018's Tracerco Insight newsletter is now available.

Tracerco would like to wish you a Happy New Year. We are very much looking forward to celebrating our 60th anniversary in 2018. 

To start the new year we have published the first issue of the Tracerco Insight newsletter featuring a few of our latest case studies illustrating how Tracerco was able to provide our customers the necessary data that allowed the operations staff to make informed decisions for troubleshooting and optimising their process.

 

Topics: nucleonic instrumentation, Tru-Scan, gamma scan, coke drum cycle, coke drum optimization, delayed coke drum, feed/effluent heat exchangers, tracer technology, H2S Absorber, Life cycle management, Tracer Study, SRU Unit, coke, Sulphur Recovery Unit, catalyst bed wash, Ammonia converter

Selection of the stimulation target in unconventional shale formations is an important factor that impacts well productivity. In thick unconventional formations, it is essential that operators quantify the production of each stage of hydraulic fracturing executed in the well, in order to establish the most productive rock. It is also important for operators to be certain that every section of the stimulated well is effectively contributing to overall well production and clean-out of all stages has been achieved. In addition, other development challenges include optimal spacing between perforation clusters, stages and wells, allowing operators to optimize drilling and completion costs and maximize enhanced ultimate recovery (EUR).

This Blog describes the application of chemical tracers in a multi-stage horizontal well to gain insight on stage productivity in order to plan an optimal field development strategy.

Topics: chemical tracers, unconventional wells, reservoir, fracking, reservoir characterisation, tracers, unconventional oil and gas, smart tracers, tracer technology, frac wells, shale, shale production, well development

Scans aid plant personnel in determining which demulsifier is best suited for their application.

Tracerco’s scanning technology is an excellent means of measuring interface levels, whether between vapour and liquids, liquid and solids, or between two different types of liquids. Tru-Scan™ and PhaseFinder™ neutron scanning technologies can be used very effectively in trials of emulsion breaking chemicals to determine the best type and concentration to use in a particular vessel. This can lead to increased efficiency and significant cost savings as well as reduce the environmental impact of excess chemical use.

This blog will present two demulsifier trials that will show the difference in performance base on the presence or absence of an emulsion layer.

Topics: neutron backscatter, Tru-Scan, gamma scan, Separator, PhaseFinder, Demulsifier Chemical, interface levels

Tracerco, patented, pioneered and continues to enhance technology that enables the measurement of individual gas, oil, and water stage production along the length of a wellbore, without well intervention. This inexpensive technology provides confirmation that a wellbore is open to flow, identifies and quantifies stage flow contribution of each phase, and provides measurement of drainage area connectivity - simply by adding small amounts of unique chemical tracers to each stage’s stimulation fluid.

Topics: chemical tracers, unconventional wells, reservoir, fracking, reservoir characterisation, tracers, unconventional oil and gas, smart tracers, tracer technology, frac wells, shale, shale production, well development