The Monitor

Modern refinery operations process an incoming crude oil stream into multiple high-value product streams, some needing additional processing. Both high-value and byproduct streams require periodic sampling to ensure that the refinery processes operate within specified parameters. Due to the processes' often high pressure and chemical nature, obtaining a representative sample safely is essential.

Topics: Downstream, Upstream & Midstream

Renewable hydrocarbon biofuels are fuels produced from biomass sources, such as vegetable oils, animal fats, or specialized crops. These products are chemically identical to standard petroleum-based products and can be used in existing engines and infrastructure. Because of this, these biofuels require stringent testing similar to petroleum-based products.

Topics: Downstream, Upstream & Midstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas

The specialty chemicals industry produces various substances for many applications, including paints and inks, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and biocides for agricultural use. Skin and respiratory exposure to chemicals used to develop these materials can leave operators at risk for burns, respiratory complications, rashes, and cancer.

Because of these serious risks, the specialty chemicals industry faces some of the most stringent safety standards and governmental regulations. Chemical compliance relies on representative sampling to reduce employees’ exposure to chemicals while maximizing production and minimizing capital costs.

Topics: Downstream, Solids & Powder, Liquid & Slurry

Specialty chemical plants manufacture compounds for many products in various industries, including agricultural fertilizers, electronic circuit boards, construction materials, and consumer goods like detergents and pharmaceuticals. With the growing demand of the specialty chemical market, the industry faces several unique challenges that could affect operations.

Topics: Downstream, Any Application

With aging equipment and facilities, operators face increasing challenges in maintaining equipment reliability, integrity, and safety. One of the biggest hidden threats to your plant’s efficient and safe operation is operating sampling systems as separate entities within the plant. This leaves plants open to gaps and potential risks in their sampling program and process.

Topics: Downstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) is a clean-burning fossil fuel naturally derived from crude oil and natural gas. However, the production process is complex and potentially dangerous to people and the environment. Ensure safety and maximum output with representative sampling.

Topics: Downstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas

Natural gas is a plentiful energy resource and is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, making it a clear choice for fulfilling this growing energy need. However, many natural gas resources are in remote locations, and safely transporting the gas by pipeline over long distances is challenging and expensive.

Topics: Upstream & Midstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas

Crude oil distillation allows crude to be transformed into petroleum products for transportation, heating, paving roads, generating electricity, and feedstocks. Regular representative sampling helps ensure that distillation and other equipment and processes aren't adversely affected.

Topics: Downstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas

In December 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its final version of the updated Fuels Regulatory Streamlining rule, which takes effect in January 2022. Not meeting the new and current EPA regulations can result in hefty fines, as well as damage to the environmental and plant personnel. Protect your processes and prevent these costly risks with representative sampling.

Topics: Downstream, Upstream & Midstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas

Petrochemical and refinery plants can eliminate sample imprecision by transitioning to a low-emission (low-e) closed loop sampling system. But choosing from the many types of low-e systems can be overwhelming. These guidelines will help you select the right low-e system for your process to establish a successful sampling program that will ensure operator safety and sample accuracy.

In the petrochemical and refinery industries, it’s critical that operations run safely and efficiently with controlled, real-time data. Plants can eliminate data imprecision by transitioning to a low-emission (low-e) closed loop gas and liquid sampling system. These systems are simple, safe and accurate ways to manage representative sampling in your plant.

Topics: Downstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas