Appropriate Process Technology Ltd

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Appropriate Process Technology Ltd | Monday, 12 May 2008

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Other services we can offer include :

Crude Dehydrators and Desalters

We have many years of accumulated experience in dehydration and desalting duties, including time with one of the major Electrostatic Coalescer / Dehydrator manufacturers, combined with outside experience of these units. We can advise you on :

Correct incorporation of dehydrators and desalters into an overall flowscheme
Oilfield vs. Refinery applications and the important differences between these
Tailoring equipment selection and sizing to the duty, particularly on heavy crudes
Critical hardware selection for minimum downtime, including HV components
Carry out or assist in preparation of bid invitations and review
Assist in supplier selection
Troubleshooting

Advanced Control

We have many years experience in designing, configuring, applying and operating DCS control systems. Applications range from simple cascade loop controls to stabilise a particular operating parameter, through to complex feed-forward multi-parameter control of distillation systems, and other "Advanced Control" applications.

We unusually combine under one roof the three related areas of process engineering, instrument/control engineering, and computer control skills (software, firmware, hardware, and system integration) .

Example Projects include:

stabilising the operation of a set of distillation columns by implementing the appropriate control algorithms
writing the Functional Specification for a major UK gas wobbe blending and alarm system, subsequently successfully implemented
analysis of control systems using transfer function analysis to establish the required PID control terms.

This combined Process/Control Expertise is augmented by hands-on experience in Control Systems at a major UK system manufacturer, where we were involved in both Project design and implementation, and in 2nd-level Systems support, being responsible for such things as "live" software/hardware upgrades.

Fired Heaters and Water Bath Heaters

We have specialist expertise in designing fired heaters and reboilers (also electrically-powered options) for duties such as:

Glycol regeneration (MEG/DEG/TEG)
Methanol distillation
Crude oil / natural gas water-bath heaters
Tail gas incineration

Methanol distillation

We have specialist expertise in designing methanol distillation/recovery systems for gas field hydrate control applications. Attention is given not only to the methanol distillation requirements but also to dealing with co-existing species in the feed liquid phases, which can often seriously interfere with unit operation and shorten run times

Short-Term/Part-time

We specialise in short term and/or part-time contracts, where either the requirement is of limited scope or duration, or a longer-term involvement is required for the sake of continuity.

Simulation

We carry out process simulations as a major part of our work, using industry standard tools such as Hysys and Pro-II, Prosim (TSweet), Pipesys, Pipesim.

Subsea Processing

The frontiers of subsea processing are constantly being pushed back, and subsea technology is a highly relevant area for the application of appropriate technology methodologies. We have experience with several of the major subsea separation schemes and can help you decide on the applicability of the various technologies to your field. We have also developed an understanding of when subsea separation, multi-phase pumping, extended tie-backs, downhole processing, modular and other technologies are and are not applicable.

In particular, we try to avoid the pitfalls of applying technologies outside their operating or economic envelopes just because they are available. Technology can sometimes be considered just because it exists without reference its best capabilities, or to the overall area infrastructure and field/reservoir characteristics.

Systems Engineering

A "bread-and-butter" part of our work is to ensure that the systems engineering aspects of new or existing units are developed thoroughly and safely. We are familiar with all the necessary technical, managerial and QA methodologies and documentation involved in developing a design from Statement of Requirements / BOD definition through block-diagram/unit operation and PFD stage, through to P&IDs and equipment specification, and finally through to start-up and operation.

We bring to this process a quite unique blend of high-level and low-level expertise - overview and detail - obtained over many years in a range of enterprises including Oil Companies, Major Contractors, Equipment Designers and Consultants, together with several peripheral but important areas of understanding such as Control Systems and I.T.

Troubleshooting

Our combination of experience provides a unique skill set for effective troubleshooting, and we have a track record of being able to solve even previously intractable problems.
A major part of our work over many years has been in taking a process design from initial conception through detailed design to start-up and normal operation. In addition to being able to understand the design intent going in to a process when involved in a unit start-up, we can also take back start-up experience to the design stage and consequently improve future designs.

"Babysitting"

We have often come across intractable plant problems which have resisted all attempts at curing them. We find that operations, plant or maintenance personnel, all under ever-increasing pressure, can have insufficient time to kill off these problems. External consultants, contractors or vendors can similarly fail to solve the issues, due to a limited remit or because they have a targeted skills set.

We bring a unique combination of high- and low-level systems and equipment understanding to solving these problems, having worked with oil companies, consultants, and equipment vendors and hence understanding their various needs and skills. In the "babysitting" approach, we attend only to the specific problem, we shadow Operators as they deal with it on a daily basis, talk to maintenance and management personnel, and build a full picture of all relevant aspects - technical, operational, logistical, management.

Many times we are able to make significant improvements with little or no expenditure, and the result is a more efficient plant, and a happier Operations and Management team.

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