Leak testing of pressure safety valves (PSVs) on a flare system

Posted by Nurhazirah MY

Mar 19, 2025 7:55:16 AM

 

Understanding the significance of flaring in offshore, refinery, and petrochemical operations

Flaring has long been an integral part of offshore oil and gas, refinery, and petrochemical operations, serving as a critical safety mechanism to manage excess gas. However, with increasing environmental regulations and economic pressures, operators are scrutinising their flaring practices to minimise emissions and maximise efficiency..

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Topics: Gamma Scanning, tracers, Tru-Scan, leak tests, gamma ray inspection, flare system tracers, excessive flare flow, leak detection, increase production rates, optimising oil and gas production, oil processing, gas processing

Optimising oil and gas production with advanced scanning and tracer technology

Posted by Nicola Porter

Mar 10, 2025 10:40:42 AM

In the high-stakes world of oil and gas production, every second counts. A minor disruption in operations can have a domino effect, leading to significant financial losses.

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Topics: neutron backscatter, Gamma Scanning, tracers, Tru-Scan, gamma ray inspection, oil production, PhaseFinder, separator study, oil in water, water production, oil residence time test, increase production rates, optimising oil and gas production, gas undercutting, oil processing, gas processing, separator systems, liquid carry-over, hydrocarbon separation train

How to use actionable insights to optimise trayed tower performance

Posted by Nicola Porter

Apr 29, 2021 10:35:15 AM

Gas plants play a critical role in cleaning raw natural gas after being extracted from subterranean deposits.
This process isolates hydrocarbons, non-methane fluids, hydrates and impurities to produce dry pipeline quality gas, which is then transported to the end user. These plants are generally low maintenance compared to oil refineries and most chemical processing complexes. However, they have limited options in the event of disruptions, degrading conditions or incoming raw gas flows. If these conditions do arise, scanning technology has proven to be an effective screening tool for providing detailed information about the hydraulic performance of trayed towers.

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Topics: Tru-Scan, tower scanning, tower gamma scan, trayed columns, trayed tower, gas plant, insights, tower performance

Tracerco Insight Vol8 Ed2

Posted by Margaret Bletsch

Feb 28, 2019 9:09:35 PM

Tracerco Insight Vol. 8 Ed. 2 newsletter is now available.

The Tracerco Insight newsletter featuring some 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. Read more to see what's inside the latest issue.

This issue contains the following articles:
  • Optimizing Desalter Performance Is Just One of Tracerco's Specialties We Proudly Provide. 
  • Crude Vacuum Tower Wash Bed Optimization.
  • Application Note - ThruVision™
  • Manage and Control Your Turnaround Costs to Avoid Possible Surprises.
  • New Product Announcement: PED-ER and PED-ER+

Read more on how to download the latest issue.

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Topics: nucleonic instrumentation, Tru-Scan, process diagnostics technologies, gamma scan, monitor wash bed coking, tracer technology, Tracer Study, catalyst bed wash, desalter optimization, wash bed optimization, manage turnaround costs, Depropanizer scan tray damage, desalter, Tracerco Profiler, crude vacuum tower, turnaround critical path project, pre-turnaround scans

Document liquid sulphur levels in a Sulphur Recovery Unit (SRU) Reactor during a catalyst wash.

Posted by Margaret Bletsch

Feb 27, 2018 9:54:19 PM

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.

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

Tracerco Insight Vol8Ed1

Posted by Margaret Bletsch

Jan 29, 2018 10:04:11 PM

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.
 
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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

How to determine the best suited demulsifier for your application

Posted by Margaret Bletsch

Dec 20, 2017 3:15:04 PM

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.

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

How to define foam profiles in coke drums and verify level devices: A case study

Posted by Margaret Bletsch

Mar 3, 2017 3:24:45 PM

Tru-Scan™ is used by refineries to define foam profiles and verify level detection devices in their coke drums. A Tru-Scan can determine the difference in vapour density throughout a typical drum cycle.

In this latest blog, Tracerco, part of Johnson Matthey Plc, discusses how a Tru-Scan™ can be a powerful tool for gathering much needed information to optimise a coke drum cycle.

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Topics: Gamma Scanning, Tru-Scan, coke buildup, coke deposits, gamma scan, level detection devices, coke drum cycle, coke drum optimization, coke drum, foam profile, coker optimization, coker units, delayed coke drum

How to determine catalyst loss in FCC reactor or FCC regenerator cyclones: A case study

Posted by Nicola Porter

Jan 5, 2017 11:09:32 AM

The loss of catalyst through reactor or regenerator cyclones is a fairly common problem. Identifying the reason for the loss is often difficult.

In this latest blog, Tracerco, part of Johnson Matthey Plc, discusses how a Tru-Scan™ can be a powerful tool for gathering much needed information regarding the loss of catalyst.

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Topics: Gamma Scanning, Tru-Scan, fcc unit, fcc, fcc diagnostics, fccu process, fccu studies, cracking unit, fcc troubleshooting, fcc units, fcc unit process, fluid catalytic cracking diagnostics, fluid catalytic cracking services, fluid catalytic cracking unit, Catalytic cracking, fcc cracking, reactor cyclone, gamma scan, fcc additives, fcc services, reactor distributor, riser reactor, fcc reactor, reactor riser, reactor stripper, regenerator cyclone, catalyst loss, Intercat, fcc addition systems

How to detect tray fouling and tray damage in a beer column: A case study

Posted by Nicola Porter

Oct 14, 2016 8:46:16 AM

Scanning technology can provide a valuable insight when critical process equipment is experiencing problems and producing off-spec product. Based on the results provided, the best course of action to correct the problem can be identified in the least amount of time in order to save valuable process system downtime.

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Topics: Process Diagnostics, Tru-Scan, Tray Damage, tower scan, process diagnostics technologies, tower scanning, trayed columns, flooded trays, beer column, process equipment, fouled trays, Process Diagnostics Technology, process diagnostics systems, tray fouling, mechanical integrity

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Tracerco's news and comment on measurement and diagnostics in Oil & Gas and processing industries

Tracerco brings comment, news, how tos and more on their blog. Sign up for regular notifications of new posts. 

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