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 :
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Correct incorporation of dehydrators and desalters into an overall flowscheme
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Oilfield vs. Refinery applications and the important differences between these
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Tailoring equipment selection and sizing to the duty, particularly on heavy crudes
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Critical hardware selection for minimum downtime, including HV components
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Carry out or assist in preparation of bid invitations and review
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Assist in supplier selection
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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
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writing the Functional Specification for a major UK gas wobbe blending and alarm system, subsequently successfully implemented
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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:
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Glycol regeneration (MEG/DEG/TEG)
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Methanol distillation
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Crude oil / natural gas water-bath heaters
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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 long-term
but part-time 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.
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Other Services 
