In today's refining and petrochemical environments, every hour counts. Whether planning maintenance activities, responding to process challenges or preparing for a shutdown, operators need accurate diagnostic information quickly to make informed decisions.

For many years, Tracerco has helped customers visualise internal process conditions using industry-leading diagnostic technologies such as Tru-Scan™ and Tru-Grid™. However, as customer expectations evolved, so did the need for faster access to actionable insights.

Over the past year, Tracerco has transformed the way scan data is analysed and reported, significantly reducing turnaround times and enabling customers to act faster than ever before.

Topics: Process Diagnostics, Tracerco technologies, tower scan

Inside a delayed coker, the transition between foam and coke is more than simply a change in material. Knowing where that transition occurs can be important when managing the coking cycle and protecting the operation from unwanted events such as foam-over.

This is one of the reasons understanding the foam-to-coke interface is an important consideration when selecting coke drum monitoring technology.

Topics: neutron backscatter, coke drum cycle, coke drum optimization, coke drum, coker units, delayed coke drum, delayed coking, coke drum monitoring, coke formation monitoring, foam and coke interface, how coke level is measured, how is coke level measured in a delayed coker, refinery process measurement, delayed coker level measurement, coke drum process monitoring, non-contact level measurement, gamma transmission, hydrogen density, neutron vs gamma, neutron backscatter vs gamma, foam-to-coke interface, delayed coker, coke level measurement, coke drum level measurement, level measurement, process measurement, DrumVision, gamma vs neutron backscatter, foam to coke interface monitoring

Monitoring the changing conditions inside a delayed coke drum is an important part of managing the coking cycle. As material moves through different phases, operators need reliable information at critical points within the drum to help monitor coke formation and identify conditions that could lead to foam-over.

There are several technologies available for coke drum monitoring, including gamma transmission and neutron backscatter. While both use radiation-based measurement, they work in fundamentally different ways and provide different types of information.

So, what is the difference and why does it matter?

Topics: neutron backscatter, coke drum cycle, coke drum optimization, coke drum, coker units, delayed coke drum, delayed coking, coke drum monitoring, coke formation monitoring, foam and coke interface, how coke level is measured, how is coke level measured in a delayed coker, refinery process measurement, delayed coker level measurement, coke drum process monitoring, non-contact level measurement, gamma transmission, hydrogen density, neutron vs gamma, neutron backscatter vs gamma, foam-to-coke interface, delayed coker, coke level measurement, coke drum level measurement, level measurement, process measurement, DrumVision, gamma vs neutron backscatter

Knowing where coke is forming and how the level is progressing inside a delayed coker is an important part of managing the coking cycle.

As the drum fills, the contents change through different phases, including vapour, foam and coke. Operators therefore need measurement technology that can provide reliable information at the points that matter.

But how is coke level actually measured in a delayed coker?

Topics: neutron backscatter, coke drum cycle, coke drum optimization, coke drum, coker units, delayed coke drum, delayed coking, coke drum monitoring, coke formation monitoring, foam and coke interface, how coke level is measured, how is coke level measured in a delayed coker, refinery process measurement, delayed coker level measurement, coke drum process monitoring, non-contact level measurement, delayed coker, coke level measurement, coke drum level measurement, level measurement, process measurement, DrumVision

Non-intrusive strake inspection is changing how operators approach one of the most persistent headaches in subsea integrity management. Vortex induced vibration (VIV) strakes protect risers and jumpers from fatigue, but removing and reinstating them ahead of a conventional inspection adds weeks of vessel time, introduces its own risk to the coating system, and drives up the cost of an already expensive campaign. For operators managing ageing subsea assets, that has often meant choosing between an incomplete inspection scope and an expensive coating removal exercise.

Topics: Discovery, pipeline inspection, pipeline integrity, subsea flowlines, Flow assurance, Subsea Technology, Explorer, Asset Integrity, Subsea flexibles, subsea pipelines, pipeline blockage, Subsea Inspection, Subsea Integrity, pipeline life extension, pipeline extension, CT scanner, CT scanning

Shariq Ameen planting trees during Tracerco's Annual Safety Stand Down Week in Abu Dhabi. 

 

Tracerco is proud to spotlight Shariq Ameen, our Key Account Manager based in Saudi Arabia, who plays a vital role in promoting our Process Diagnostics services across oil, gas, Petrochemical and chemical plants in the region. With a career built on technical expertise and relationship-building, Shariq exemplifies the values and impact of working at Tracerco.

 

Topics: people, employee recognition, Life at Tracerco, Working Lives, Colleague Forum

 

At Tracerco, a global leader in measurement, inspection, and analytical services, employees don’t just work, they grow, innovate, and thrive. Hamdan Saleh, Business Development Manager for Diagnostics Services in the Middle East and Caspian region, embodies the spirit that makes Tracerco an exceptional place to build a career.

 

Topics: people, employee recognition, Life at Tracerco, Working Lives, Colleague Forum

Coke drum monitoring is a critical part of maintaining safe and efficient delayed coking operations, especially as units age. Yet for many refineries, process management still relies heavily on periodic checks and indirect signals, leaving operators with limited visibility into what is happening inside the drum during live operation. This gap often leads to conservative decision making, higher operating costs, and avoidable process risk.

 

Topics: neutron backscatter, coke drum cycle, coke drum optimization, coke drum, coker units, delayed coke drum

We are pleased to announce that Bailey Stainsby has been promoted to Product Manager for our Measurement Instruments Business Unit, taking responsibility for the continued delivery and development of our brand new DrumVision™ instrument and all future product innovations.

This appointment comes at an exciting time for the business, following the successful launch of DrumVision™, a platform that represents a significant step forward in our instrument portfolio and plays a central role in the growth of the Measurement Instruments Business Unit.

 

Topics: people, employee recognition, Life at Tracerco, Working Lives, Colleague Forum