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2018 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Sulfur Production Reference Note Set”  John Morgan (Morgan-Denver LLC) and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • “Startup Learnings – A Tale of 30 Years of Startup Experience”  Marco van Son, Dimitri Travlos (Jacobs Canada), Rein van Grinsven, Gerrit Bloemendal, Anne van Warneers, Siebrenn Mellema, and Aernot Henring (Jacobs Nederland BV)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Tubesheet Protection Systems – Examining Gas Permeability Through Ceramic Fibre Paper” Michael Huffmaster (Consultant), Yuan Yanxiao, Sharon Maydak and Isaac Johnson (Pentair Flow and Filtration Solutions), Domenica Misale-Lyttle (Industrial Ceramics Limited), Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Hurricane Startup and  Shutdown Experiences at the  Motiva Port Arthur Refinery”  Ron Pitman (Motiva Enterprises)
  • “The Chemistry of the Claus Furnace:  Fundamentals Relating to Its Operation and Stability”  Peter D. Clark  (Canadian Sulfur Consulting Limited)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “High Temperature Sulfidation of Carbon Steel Under Claus Wasteheat Boiler Conditions”  Norman Dowling, R. Sui, Christopher Lavery and Robert Marriott (Alberta Sulphur Research Limited)
  • Cameo Presentation“Formamide Formation and Control in Primary and Secondary Amine Solutions”  Al Keller  (Al, Chem. E. from Alchemy)
  • “Quench Water pH and NH3 Destruction, “Un-Vailed”  Nathan A. Hatcher, G. Simon A. Weiland, Clayton E. Jones, Steven Fulk, and Matthew D. Bailey (Optimized Gas Treating)
  • “Design Considerations for Natural Draft Ventilation in Molten Sulfur Storage Tanks”  Kenneth E. McIntush, Kevin Fisher, Darshan Sachde, and Carrie Ann M. Beitler (Trimeric Corporation)
  • “Case Study of Corrosion Rates of an Externally-Heated Sulfur Storage Tank”  Brandon Forbes (Controls Southeast Inc. / Ametek)
  • Wasteheat Boiler and Thermal Reactor Replacement  – Systematic Evaluation of Design issues and Solution Development”  Amber Khan, Matthew Kimmel (Shell Deer Park Refinery), Natalia Sifontes, Jim Jenkins (Shell Oil Manufacturing Support & Excellence), Roger Rangi (Shell Projects & Technology), Alan Mosher, Matt Rolfles (Black & Veatch), and Sean McGuffie (Porter McGuffie)
  • AMINE BEST PRACTICES GROUP (ABPG) Annual Technical Paper:  “Case Study:  Importance of Claus Unit Thermal Reactor Burner Flame Monitoring”  Philip Oberbroeckling (LyondellBasell Houston Refinery) and Nick Roussakis and Dave Sikorski (HEC Technologies), representing the Amine Best Practices Group
  • Alberta Sulphur Research (ASRL) Annual Technical Paper:   “Ammonia and Corrosion Rates Within the Claus Plant” Christopher B. Lavery, Norman I. Dowling and Robert A. Marriott  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • Cameo Presentation“A Study of SRU Tubesheet Corrosion Mechanisms”   Domenica Misale-Lyttle (Industrial Ceramics), Norman Dowling (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.), and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • “Topics Within Sulfur Plant and Tail Gas Unit Startups and Shutdowns”  Greg Hanlon (Treating and Sulfur Solutions)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group  (ABPG) Annual Q&A” Lon Stern  (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • Annual Close Calls Workshop”  John Morgan (John M. Campbell / Petroskills) and Jay Davis (Chevron)

 

2017 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Sulfur Production Reference Note Set”  John Morgan (Morgan-Denver LLC) and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • “Low Emission Sulfur Plant Startups and Shutdowns – Options and Pitfalls – Part 2” Hank Hudson, Susan Grigson, Kelley LaRue, Daryl Jenson, and Adebola Oyedeji  (Ortloff Engineers)
  • “Burner Replacement With State of the Art Technology to Improve Unit Flexibility and Reliability”  Jonathan Cole and John Wheeler (Shell Oil Products, Convent Refinery), Jim Jenkins (Shell Oil Products US) and Gilbert Medrano (Shell International E&P)
  • “Use of Caustic Scrubbers on Vent Streams from Molten Sulfur Storage and Shipping Equipment”  Kenneth E. McIntush, Darryl L. Mamrosh, Darshan Sachde and Carrie Ann M. Beitler  (Trimeric Corporation)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Understanding Installation of Steam Tracing for Long-Term Application Success”  Carson Hannah and Thomas Perry (QMax Industries)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “An Assessment of Hydrogen Sulfide Stability in Samples of Aqueous N-methyl Diethanolamine Solutions”  Clare Worley, Allen Day, and Jim Hill  (Dow Chemical)
  • “A Quality Filtration System: Critical for Improving Plant Performance and Operational Economics”  Ron Pitman (Motiva) and Sharon Maydak (Pentair)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Improved SRU Control with Double Air Demand Configuration”  Matthias Franz  (Pier Enterprises GmbH) and David Haydt and Kurt Webber (Galvanic Applied Sciences)
  • “Sulfur Plant and Tail Gas Unit Startup and Shutdown”  Greg Hanlon (Treating and Sulfur Solutions) and Doug Cicerone (Cicerone & Associates)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “A Demonstration of CFD Analysis Techniques Necessary to Accurately Model Thermal Reactors”  Sean M. McGuffie, Michael Porter, and Anthony DeFilippo  (Porter McGuffie)
  • “Design and Operation of a Robust and Reliable Waste Heat Boiler”  Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting), Marco Van Son (Jacobs Canada), Frank Scheel (Jacobs Netherlands), Thomas Chow, Cliff Lawrence and Sarah Radovich (Fluor), Domenica Misale-Lyttle and David Barrow (Industrial Ceramics Limited), and Mike Huffmaster (Consultant)
  • “Reliability of Boiler Tube Protection Systems – A Case Study: Operation in Air-Based vs Oxygen-Enriched Conditions”  Domenica Misale-Lyttle (Industrial Ceramics Limited), Nick Engelhardt (Valero) and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “New Insights with Rate-Based Claus Waste Heat Boiler Modeling”  Nathan A. Hatcher, Clayton E. Jones, Simon A. Weiland, and Steven M. Fulk  (Optimized Gas Treating)
  • “Improved Ferrule and Tube Design for Prevention of Film Boiling in SRU Waste Heat Boilers”  Clinton J. Schulz (Citgo Corpus Christi Refinery)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Out of Two Make One – Reduction of Operating Costs at OMV Aderklaa Gas Plant”  Justin Lamar (Black & Veatch) and Andreas Ecklmair (OMV)
  • Amine Best Practices Group (ABPG) Annual Technical Paper:  “PHA Vulnerabilities Discussion”  Jay Davis (Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, representing the Amine Best Practices Group )
  • Alberta Sulphur Research (ASRL) Annual Technical Paper:  “The Effect of Methanol in the First Catalytic Converter”   R.A. Marriott, C.B. Lavery, and N.I. Dowling  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group  (ABPG) Annual Q&A”  Lon Stern  (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Multiple Shutdowns For SRU Plant DP and Reliability Issues”  Andres Novoa (Shell Martinez Refinery), and Natalia Sifontes (Shell International E&P) and Jim Jenkins (Shell Oil Products US)

 

2016 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Sulfur Production Reference Note Set”  John Morgan   (Morgan-Denver LLC) and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • “Low Emission Sulfur Plant Startups and Shutdowns – Options and Pitfalls”  Hank Hudson, Susan Grigson, Kelley LaRue, Daryl Jenson and Adebola Oyedeji (Ortloff Engineers Ltd.)
  • “SO2 Breakthrough Under a Microscope”  Nate Hatcher, Clayton Jones and Simon Weiland   (Optimized Gas Treating)
  • Amine Best Practices Group (ABPG) Annual Technical Paper:  “Understanding Iron Sulfide and It’s Pyrophoric Nature”  Bart Welch  (Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Designing a Robust Thermal Reactor”  Michael A. Porter and Sean M. McGuffie   (Porter McGuffie, Inc.)
  • “Amine/Sulfur Turnaround Strategies – Saving Upfront”  Michael Estrada (Shell Puget Sound Refinery) and Jim Jenkins (Shell International Exploration & Production)
  • Alberta Sulphur Research (ASRL) Annual Technical Paper:   “Fundamentals of Sulfur Degassing”   Peter Clark and Rob Marriott  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “Troubleshooting  SCOT TGU Quench Tower Fouling  and Yellow Quench Water”  Keith Lucke and Rick Johnson  (BP North America) and Halle Brooks  (BP North America Products, Illinois)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Controlling Sulphur Pit Fires – Measurement of the Limiting Oxygen Concentration for a Molten Sulfur Fire”  Norm Dowling  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • Panel Discussion:  “Applicable North American Standards for Construction and/or Modification of Sulfur Recovery Facilities”  Philip Oberbroeckling (Houston Refining), Alan Mosher (Black & Veatch), Marco van Son (Jacobs Canada) and Jay Davis (Chevron Pascagoula Refinery)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Update: Effect of RF Chamber Temperature on Purge Gas Flow Pattern”  Nick Roussakis and Dave Sikorski  (HEC Canada)
  • “Low-Temperature Tail Gas Kinetic Functions – What They Are – Really”   Fernando Maldonado and Karl Krueger (Criterion Catalysts) and Michael Huffmaster (Michael Huffmaster Consulting)
  • “Sulfur Plant and Tail Gas Unit Startups and Shutdowns”  Greg Hanlon (Treating and Sulfur Solutions) and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • Panel Discussion:  “War Stories: A Series of Brief Presentations and Open Conversation About Novel and/or Interesting Experiences Relating to SRU Operations and Equipment”  Facilitated by Dave Sikorski (HEC Canada) with short presentations by various attendees.
  • Cameo Presentation:  “H2S, SO2, COS and CS2 Measurement in Sulfur Recovery Plant Tail Gas Using a Close Coupled UV Absorption Analyzer”  Kurt Webber and David Haydt  (Galvanic Applied Sciences)  and Matthias Franz  (PIER Enterprises GmbH)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group  (ABPG) Annual Q&A”  Lon Stern  (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Fundamentals: Solvent Management in the Amine Plant”  Scott Waite  (MPR Services and  Tessenderlo Kerley Inc.)

 

2015 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Sulfur Production Reference Note Set”  John Morgan   (John M.  Campbell/PetroSkills) and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • Alberta Sulphur Research (ASRL) Annual Technical Paper:  “Corrosion in Claus Tail Gas and Pit Off-Gas Lines”   P.D. Clark, N.I. Dowling and C.B. Lavery  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “Fundamentals of Sour Water Strippers”  Al Keller  (Phillips 66)
  • Amine Best Practices Group (ABPG) Annual Technical Paper: “Reaction Furnace Recommendation for Protective System Design”  Jay Davis  (Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, representing the Amine Best Practices Group )
  • “A New Era in Sulfur Degassing”  Al Keller  (Phillips 66) and Thomas Willingham, Brian Groves, and Brandon Forbes (Controls Southeast, Inc.)
  • “SRU High Pressure Drop Troubleshooting Techniques”  Steven Ross  (Shell Chemical, Mobile Facility)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Molten Sulfur Storage Tank, Loading, and Vapor Ejection Systems Review”  Ken McIntush, Darryl Mamrosh, and Carrie Beitler (Trimeric Corp.)
  • Panel Discussion:  “A Review of Ammonia Destruction in Claus Reaction Furnaces”  Hosted by Dick Wissbaum  (Aecom), featuring  Peter Clark  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.), with Steve Croom  (Delta Controls), Dick Wissbaum (Aecom) and other contributors.
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Load Dependent Refractory Hot Spot Investigations”  Dave Sikorski  (HEC Canada)
  • “Molten Sulfur Fire Sealing Steam Requirements – Proposed Modifications to NFPA 655”  Alan Mosher (Black & Veatch) and Sean McGuffie and Dennis Martens (Porter McGuffie)
  • “Turning Down the SemCAMS KA Gas Plant SRU”  Marco van Son and Shashank Gujale (Jacobs Comprimo), David Roddick and Wade Martineau (SemCAMS), and Eric Roisin (Axens)
  • “Claus and Tail Gas Unit Catalyst Performance Evaluations and Operational Tricks to Prolong healthy Life Cycles”  Lorrel Hodgson  and Eric Roisin  (Axens)
  • “Sulfur Plant and Tail Gas Unit Startups and Shutdowns”  Greg Hanlon (Treating and Sulfur Solutions) and Pierre Crevier (Crevier Process Consulting)
  • Panel Discussion:  “War Stories – A Series of Brief Presentations and Open Conversation About Novel and/or Interesting Experiences Relating to SRU Operations and Equipment”   Dave Sikorski (HEC Canada), Steve Croom (Delta Controls), Jim Hartman (Controls Southeast), Domenica Misale (Industrial Ceramics), and Andy Piper (Thorpe Specialty Services).
  • “Amine Best Practices Group  (ABPG) Annual Q&A Session”  Lon Stern  (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “API 521 SRU Reaction Furnace Wasteheat Boiler Evaluation for Overpressure Due to Tube Rupture”  Dennis Martens  (Porter McGuffie) and Alan Mosher (Black & Veatch)

 

2014 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Sulfur Production Reference Note Set”  John Morgan   (John M. Campbell/PetroSkills) and Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting)
  • “Sulfur Pits – On-Line/Off-Line Evaluation Approach (Better Safe Than Sorry)”  Thomas Kline (Structural Technologies)
  • “A Case History of Limiting Factors on Reaction Furnace Linings, Part 2”  Dennis Koscielnuk and Marco van Son (Jacobs Canada), Mark Young (Suncor Energy), and Andy Piper and Jeff Proctor (Thorpe Specialty Services)
  • “Corrosion in Amine Systems in the Presence of Heat Stable Salts”  Scott Waite (MPR Services) and Al Keller (Phillips 66)
  • “Co-Firing Optimization Study for BTEX Destruction in Habshan-5 SRU’s”  Kuppuswamy Thiyagarajan  (Gasco Habshan-5)
  • “Panel Discussion: War Stories – A Series of Brief Presentations and Open Conversation About Novel and/or Interesting Experiences Relating to SRU Operations and Equipment”  Dave Sikorski (HEC Canada), Elmo Nasato (Nasato Consulting), Steve Croom (Delta Controls), Jackson Roper (Controls Southeast Inc.), Domenica Misale (Industrial Ceramics), and Andy Piper (Thorpe Specialty Services).
  • “SRU Main Burner – State of the Art Operation and Turndown Capabilities”  Lisa Augustine (Shell Puget Sound Refinery), Phillip Flores (Shell Deer Park Refinery), John Bagley and Xioran Zhang (Motiva Port Arthur Refinery), Preston Broom and Jim Jenkins (Shell International Exploration & Production), Nick Roussakis and Dave Sikorski (HEC Technologies)
  • Cameo Presentation: “Are the JANAF Thermochemical Data for Carbonyl Sulfide Correct?”  Norm Dowling  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.), Dick Wissbaum (URS Corp.) and Michael Huffmaster (Michael Huffmaster Consulting)
  • Cameo Presentation: “High SO2 Emissions Event Troubleshooting Guidelines”  Jonathon Lucio and Natalia Sifontes-Romero  (Motiva Norco Refinery)
  • Cameo Presentation: “The Characterization of Hydrocarbon Contamination in Amine and Sour Water Systems: Nature, Impacts & Economics”  Sharon Maydak  (Pentair/Porous Media)
  • “Houston Refinery Sulfur Recovery Complex Transformation (2011 – 2014)”  Philip Oberbroeckling  (LyondellBasell)
  • Panel Discussion:  “Wasteheat Boiler Tube Failure Session”  Dennis Martens  (Porter McGuffie), Mike K. Porter (Chevron), Andy Moore (Windward Engineering), Lon Stern (Consultant), Alan Mosher and Derek Ogg (Black & Veatch), Steve Crockett (BP)
  • Alberta Sulphur Research (ASRL) Annual Technical Paper:  “Catalytic Combustion: A Potential Solution for Processing of Low Quality Acid Gas and Small Scale Sulfur Recovery”  Dao Li, Ming Huang, N.I. Dowling, and Peter Clark  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • Workshop:  “Sulfur Plant and Tail Gas Unit Startups and Shutdowns”   Greg Hanlon (Treating and Sulfur Solutions) and Doug Cicerone (Cicerone & Associates)
  • Amine Best Practices Group (ABPG) Annual Technical Paper:  “Molten Sulfur Reliability – Issues and Solutions”  Pete Bisila (Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend Refinery, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group  (ABPG) Annual Q&A”  Lon Stern  (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)

 

 

2013 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “In-Ground Versus Above-Ground Sulfur Sealing?” by Thomas Willingham (Controls Southeast Inc.)
  • “Sulphur Pump Failures, Root Causes and Effects” by Jeffrey Kelly (Friatec NA)
  • “Oxygen Enrichment in Sulfur Recovery Units: Magic or Myth?” by Steve Fenderson (Goar, Allison; Associates)
  • Annual STOIC Workshop – moderated by John Morgan (JMCampbell / Petroskills)
  • “Reducing Nitrates and Ammonia in Refinery Wastewater Systems” by Jason Stavros (Phillips 66)
  • “Dealing with Wet Solid Elemental Sulfur Corrosion – Lessons Learned” by Shelley Hittel (SemCams, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “The Nature and Treatment of Sulphur Pit and Tank Off Gases” by P.D. Clark (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “CFD Study of Reaction Furnace Safety Purging” by Dave Sikorski (HEC Technology)
  • “2013 Sulfur Recovery Regulatory Update” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Houston Refining, a LyondellBasell Company)
  • Panel Discussion: Reaction Furnace / Wasteheat Boiler Reliability by Sean McGuffie (Porter McGuffie), Andy Piper (Thorpe Corporation), Dave Sikorski (HEC), Domenica Misale-Lytle (Industrial Ceramics), Steve Croom (Delta Controls)
  • “Risks of Accumulated Sulfur in SRU’s” by Ellen Ticheler, Rein van Grinsven, Anne van Warners, and Sander Kobussen (Jacobs Comprimo)
  • “Mercaptans Removal from Gases by Absorption into Amines and Caustic” by Ralph Weiland, Nate Hatcher, and Clay Jones (Optimized Gas Treating)
  • Annual Sulfur Plant Start-Up and Shutdown Workshop by Greg Hanlon (Consultant) and Doug Cicerone (Cicerone & Associates)
  • “Time and Temperature Effects on Tail Gas Catalysts” by Mike Huffmaster (Consultant) and Fernando Maldonado (Criterion Catalysts)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group Annual Q&A Session” by Lon Stern (Stern Inc., representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “The Use of Porous Media Models and CFD for Sulfur Treating Applications” by Sean McGuffie (Porter McGuffie Inc.)

 

 

2012 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Sulfur Production Reference Note Set” John Morgan (John M. Campbell/PetroSkills)
  • “The Aftermath of SO2 Breakthrough and Ways to Prevent and Mitigate It” Al Keller (Phillips 66)
  • “Sour Water Stripper Performance in the Presence of Heat Stable Salts” Nate Hatcher, Scott Alvis, and Ralph Weiland  (Optimized Gas Treating)
  • “How Hot is Your Reaction Furnace – Really?” D’Arcy Blais and Chuck Marshall (Imperial Oil), and Dick Wissbaum (URS Corp.)
  • “Sulfur Pit Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting ”  Bill DeWees, Angela Slavens, Shadi Al Adel and Vincent Yih  (WorleyParsons)
  • “A Robust SRU Wasteheat Boiler Design” Sean McGuffie and Dennis Martens (Porter McGuffie) and Mike Demskie (Flint Hills Resources)
  • “Motiva Norco SRU Operation Experiences”   Rachel Clark (Motiva) and Jim Critchfield (Shell)
  • “Caustic Scrubber Designs for Refinery Fuel Gas, SWS Gas, and Other Refinery Applications” Kenneth McIntush, Darryl Mamrosh, Kevin Fisher, and Carrie Ann Beitler (Trimeric Corp.)
  • “2012 Sulfur Recovery Symposium Environmental and Safety Forum” including:  “Annual Regulatory Review” Phil Oberbroeckling (LyondellBasell)
  • “SRU Startups at the Motiva Port Arthur Refinery” John Bagley (Motiva) and Jim Jenkins (Shell)
  • “Alberta Sulphur Research (ASRL) Annual Technical Paper:  Reaction Pathways for Claus Tail Gas Reduction  Catalysts: Relevance to Field Operation and Industrial Practice”   P.D. Clark, N.I. Dowling, and M Huang (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group (ABPG) Q&A Session”    Lon Stern  (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group (ABPG) Annual Technical Paper: Lessons Learned” by Jim Asquith (Valero, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “Topics Related to Sulfur Vapor Pressure”  Rob Marriott  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • Cameo Presentation:  “CEM Analyzer Probes – Lessons Learned”  Mark Kresovsky  (General Chemical)
  • “Sulfur Plant and Tail Gas Unit Startups and Shutdowns”    Doug Cicerone (Cicerone & Associates), Paul E. d’Haene (DANA Technical Services) and Greg Hanlon (Treating and Sulfur Solutions)
  • “Getting the Most from Your SRU Performance Test Results”   Dick Wissbaum  (URS)

 

 

2011 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “SRU Production Reference Note Set” by John Morgan  (John M. Campbell/PetroSkills)
  • “Ammonia Destruction in SRU Furnaces – Fundamentals”  by Peter Clark (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.), Paul d’Haene (DANA Technical Services) and Jim Jenkins (Shell)
  • “Heat Shield Design/Function in Claus Reaction Furnaces and Incinerators”  by Dave Sikorski and Nick Roussakis (HEC), Mike Huffmaster (Consultant), and Anthony Corriveau (Stream Function Inc.)
  • “Important Considerations for Refractory Dryouts, Startups & Shutdowns” by Andy Piper  (Thorpe Corp.) and Jim Jenkins (Shell)
  • Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd. (ASRL) Annual Technical Presentation, “Liquid Sulphur Degassing: Fundamentals and New Technology Development”  by  P.D. Clark (University of Calgary and Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.), M. A. Shields, M. Huang, and N.I. Dowling  (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.) and D. Cicerone (Cicerone & Associates)
  • “Start-Up and Shut-Down of Sulfur Plants Without Exceeding Permit Limits” by Kavita Baba and Aaron Redding (Shell)
  • “Fate of Ammonia in Refinery Amine Systems”  by Nate Hatcher, Ralph Weiland and Scott Alvis  (Optimized Gas Treating)
  • “Annual Regulatory Review:  Environmental Compliance  & Overpressure Protection – Proper Design Basis and NFPA Code Considerations” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Lyondell Basell) and Alan Mosher (Black & Veatch)
  • “Corrosion/Erosion in Sulfur Recovery – Real Life Examples”  by Phil Oberbroeckling     (Lyondell Basell)
  • “Sulfur Plant and Tail Gas Unit Startups and Shutdowns”  by Paul d’Haene (Dana Technical Services) and Doug Cicerone (Cicerone & Associates)
  • “Minimize Sulfur Pit Contribution to Stack Emission”  by Grant Qui (Excel Paralubes/ ConocoPhillips) and Al Keller  (ConocoPhillips)
  • Amine Best Practices Group (ABPG) Annual Technical Paper, “Solution Monitoring Guidelines for Amine Systems”  by Nate Hatcher   (Optimized Gas Treating, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Panel Discussion: Fundamental Integrity Issues for SRU Wasteheat Exchanger (Boiler)”
  • Moderated by Denis Martens  (Porter McGuffie), with panelists Mike Porter (Porter McGuffie), Alan Mosher (KPS), Justin Lamar (Black & Veatch) and Domenica Misale-Lyttle (Industrial Ceramics)
  • Cameo Presentation: “When CO2 is More Hazardous than H2S” by Ken McIntush (Trimeric Corp.)
  • Cameo Presentation: “Heat Stable Salt Effects on Steam Stripping Rates”  by Chris Daniels (Chem Group)
  • “Materials of Construction for Amine and SRU/TGU Plants”  by J. Johnson and Richard Wissbaum (URS)
  • “Pumping Liquid Sulfur – A Challenge for Pump Design, Sealing Systems, and Materials of Construction”  by Juergen Weinerth  (Friatec)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group Annual Q&A Session”  by Lon Stern   (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)

 

 

2010 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Key Design Features for a Successful SRU Option Implemented with Oxygen Enrichment Technology” by Vincent W. Wong and Thomas K. Chow (Fluor Energy and Chemicals)
  • “Understanding Furnace Vibration and Noise” by Mike Porter (Porter McGuffie Inc.)
  • “Use of Reclamation for Amine Quality Management” by James Jenkins (Shell Global Solutions US) and Chris Daniels (ChemGroup Services, LLC)
  • “Mythbusters Meets Steam Heating System Design” by Thomas Willingham (Controls Southeast Inc.)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group Introduction and Q&A” Lon Stern (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Acid Gas Balance Lines for Refinery Claus Systems” by Nathan “Tex” Ritter (Flint Hills Resources, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Advances in the Development of Tail Gas Treatment, Liquid Sulfur Degassing, and Tail Gas Incineration” by P.D. Clark, M. Huang, N.I. Dowling, M.A. Shields and R. Sui (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “2010 Sulfur Recovery Regulatory Update” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Houston Refining, a LyondellBasell Company)
  • “Acid Gas Injection System Design & Troubleshooting at Regency’s Waha and Tilden Sites” by Kenneth McIntush and Carrie Ann M. Beitler (Trimeric Corporation), Charles B. Wallace (Consultant), David T. Miller and Daniel Wentworth (Regency Energy Partners), Peter F. Ellis (Corrosion Scientist)
  • “Claus Reaction Furnace Temperature Measurement – An Overview” by Steve Croom (Delta Controls)
  • “Review of Reaction Furnaces: From Burner to Tubesheet” by Andy Piper (Thorpe Corporation), Dave Sikorski (HEC), Domenica Misale-Lytle (Industrial Ceramics)
  • “Better Amine System Operation Through Chemical Analysis” by Arthur L. Cummings and Glen D. Smith (MPR Services)
  • “Sulfur Plant Start-Ups and Shutdowns” by Paul d’Haene (DANA Technical Services) and Doug Cicerone (Cicerone & Associates)
  • “Variable Cost Reduction Through Minimizing Utility Usage by an Effective Production Team” by Katie Libich, Randy Stakes, Jon Moon and Stephen Perry (Shell Deer Park Refinery)
  • “How to Collect, Form and Ship 4.5 Million Tons of Sulfur a Year” by Johnny Johnson, Dave Nulty and Dick Wissbaum (URS Energy & Construction)

 

 

2009 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “A Case History of Refractory Lining Improvements for O2 Enriched Reactor Service” by Andy Piper (Thorpe), Shawn Olson (Total), Susan Grigson (Ortloff Engineers)
  • “SRU Shutdown Systems – History & Basics” by Jim Hampsten (Principal Technology Engineering)
  • “Tail Gas Unit Crime Scene Investigation – Vail” by Steve Massie (Criterion Catalysts)
  • “Temperature Profile Monitoring in Amine Absorbers” by Bart Welch (Chevron USA, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Sulfur Plant Start-Ups and Shutdowns” by Paul d’Haene (DANA Technical Services)
  • “Industrial Gas Supply for the Sulphur Recovery Industry” by Elmo Nasato & Uday Parakh (Goar Allison)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group Q&A” by Lon Stern (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Acid Gas Loading Error Analysis – Is the Analysis Full of Error or There Error in the Analysis?” by Nathan Hatcher & Ralph Weiland (Optimized Gas Treating)
  • “Compliance Survey – Requirements of New or Modified Sulfur Recovery Facilities in the U.S.” by Phil Oberbroeckiling (LyondellBasell)
  • “2009 Sulfur Recovery Regulartory Update” by Phil Oberbroeckiling (LyondellBasell)
  • “+99.9% Sulfur Recovery at Lowest Cost and Highest Reliability” by Steven Meyer (MEC/Dynawave) and Dennis Koscielnuk (Jacobs Canada)
  • “Corrosion Pathways in Liquid Sulfur Rundown Pits and Other Liquid Sulfur Handling Facilities” by Peter Clark and Norman Dowling (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “The Economics of Heating Sulfur Tail Gas Lines” by Thomas Willingham (Controls Southeast Inc.)
  • “A Means of Avoiding Sulfur Recovery Furnace Fired Tube Boiler Failures” by Mike Porter (Dynamic Analysis), Dennis Martens & Sean McGuffie (Porter McGuffie Inc.) & John Wheeler (Motiva Enterprises)
  • “Cutting Edge SRU Controls: Superior SRU Performance at Suncor Simonette Gas Plant with Jacobs Advanced Burner Control+” by Gerton Molenaar (Jacobs Engineering)
  • “The Chemist’s Guide to Building a Sulfur Block in the Refinery Parking Lot” by Peter Clark (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “10,000 MTD Shah Gas Development Tail Gas Treatment Complex: Why FlexSorb?” by Vincent Wong and Thomas Chow (Fluor Energy & Chemicals) & Robert Fedich (ExxonMobil Research)

 

 

2008 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Critical Instrumentation in Sulfur Recovery Units” by Jim Hampsten (Principal Technology Engineering)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group Q&A” by Lon Stern (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “The Chemistry and Kinetics of Claus Tail Gas Incineration” by Norman Dowling (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “Getting Your Sulfur to Market – Technology and Economics” by Dick Wissbaum (URS Corp. formerly Washington Group International)
  • “Is Amine System Corrosion Different from SWS Corrosion?” by Nate Hatcher (Trimeric Corp.) and Al Keller (ConocoPhillips)
  • “Impact of Temperature on TGTU Catalyst Performance” by Mike Huffmaster (Consultant)
  • “2008 Sulfur Recovery Regulatory Update” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Lyondell Basell)
  • “Panel Discussion: Personnel Protection – Proper Monitoring of H2S” by Tony Houlemard (BP), Steve Gibson (Frontier Refining), John Corley (ExxonMobil) & Phil Oberbroeckling (LyondellBasell)
  • “Top Ten Things that Keep Sulfur Plant Managers Awake at Night” by Lon Stern (Consultant) & Phil Oberbroeckling (LyondellBasell)
  • “Do You Trust Your Sulfur Plant Simulator?” by Jane Nichols (URS Corp. formerly Washington Group International)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group: Lessons Learned” by Bart Welch (Chevron, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Fundamentals of Sour Water Stripping, Part 2” by David Stevens (KPS Engineering)
  • “TGCU Catalyst Concerns Lead to Low Turndown Operation of SRU & TGCU” by Jason Stavros (ConocoPhillips)
  • “The Case for Titanium Dioxide Catalyst” by Pierre Crevier (Consultant, representing Axens Catalyst)
  • “Sulfur Condensation in Claus Catalyst Beds” by Hans Borsboom (Jacobs/Comprimo)

 

 

2007 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Sulfiding of Tail Gas Unit Catalyst: Proper Preparation of Tail Gas Hydrogenation Catalyst for Long and Active Life” by Steve Massie (Criterion Catalysts)
  • “Tail Gas Unit Reactor Problems & Oxygen Infiltration” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Lyondell Refining)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group Introduction and Q&A” by Lon Stern (Consultant, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Control of Foaming in Amine Systems” by Art Cummings (MPR Services Inc.)
  • “SemCAMS Kaybob South #3 Gas Plant Sulphur Plant Upgrades: One Year Later” by Shelley Hittel (SemCAMS)
  • “Control of Sulfur Run-Down Pits and Liquid Sulfur Storage Tanks Emissions” by Peter Clark (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “2007 Sulfur Recovery Environmental Issues Forum” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Lyondell Refining)
  • “Effects of Gas Loading on Tail Gas Unit Catalyst Performance” by Michael Huffmaster (Consultant)
  • “Fundamentals of Sour Water Stripping” by David Stevens (Black & Veatch)
  • “Amine Best Practices Group: Lessons Learned” by Ron Schendel (Chemical & Refining Technical Services, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Dynamic Simulation Model of a Complex Sulfur Block” by Marco van Son (Jacobs Engineering)
  • “VMGSim & Modeling Acid Gas Treating and Sulfur Recovery, Part 2: Software Demo” by Gerald Jacobs and James van der Lee (Virtual Materials Group)
  • “Improving Sulfur Plant Performance and Instrumentation” by Joe Rahija (Valero Energy)
  • “The DAP and STREP Processes for Acid Gas Removal, Acid Gas Enrichment, and Claus Tail Gas Treating” by Vincent Wong (Fluor Corporation)
  • “Amine System Upgrade to Ucarsol LE-801” by Matt Gunn (Lyondell Refining)

 

 

2006 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Repair of Subsurface Molten Sulfur Containment Structures” by Thomas Kline (Structural Preservation Systems)
  • “Emissions Reduction: Handling Sulfur Pit Vents and Sulfur Storage Tank Vents” by Theresa Flood (Fluor)
  • “Sulfur Recovery Unit Startups and Shutdowns” by Paul d’Haene (DANA Technical Services)
  • “Utility Considerations for Sulfur Recovery Units” by Elmo Nasato (Goar Allison)
  • “DynaWave Wet Gas Scrubbing: A New Alternative for Claus Unit Tail Gas Clean-Up” by Steven Meyer (MECS Global)
  • “Amine Fundamentals Q&A” by Lon Stern (Black & Veatch, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Thermal Maintenance of Field Erected Sulphur Tanks” by David Hornbaker (Controls Southeast)
  • “VMGSim — A New Modeling Platform for Acid Gas Treating and Sulfur Recovery” by James van der Lee (Virtual Materials Group)
  • “Environmental Compliance Within the Sulfur Recovery Industry” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Lyondell Houston Refining)
  • “Blended Amines” by Charalambos Patsatzis (Lyondell Houston Refining)
  • “Cost Savings and Operational Benefits of Ex-Situ Sulfiding of Tail Gas Catalysts” by Steve Massie (Criterion Catalysts) & Terry McHugh (Porocel Industries)
  • “Sulfur Recovery Outlook to 2025” by Dick Wissbaum (Washington Group International)
  • “Deposition of Ammonium Salts in Claus Systems: Theoretical and Practical Considerations” by Peter Clark (Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.)
  • “SemCAMS Kaybob South Gas Plant #3 SuperClaus Retrofit and Sulphur Recovery Plant Enhancements” by Shelley Hittel (SemCAMS)
  • “Deciphering Your Amine Analysis” by Mike Zacher (MJZ Consulting, representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Mix Gas Firing of Claus Muffle Furnaces” by Tony Houlemard (BP West Coast Products)
  • “Meeting Lower Sulfur Levels in Coker Off-Gases” by Scott Alvis (Merichem Company)
  • “BP Whitney Canyon: Learnings From 22 Years of Operating SRU/CBA” by Paul Pendergraft (BP America)

 

 

2005 Vail Presentations Titles

  • “Q&A from the NPRA Technical Session: Reliable Operations of Amine Systems and Sulfur Recovery Units” by Phil Oberbroeckling (Lyondell-Citgo Refining)
  • “Flame Temperature Issues in SRU Equipment” by Nick Roussakis (HEC Technologies Limited)
  • “Increased Mercaptan Removal in Amine Units” by Stephen A. Bedell (Dow Chemical)
  • “Design, Cost & Operation of an Acid Gas Enrichment & Injection Facility” by Steven Jones (Encana)
  • “LT-SCOT Low Temperature SCOT TGU Catalyst – Fundamentals” by Marco Van Son (Jacobs Engineering)
  • “LT-SCOT Low Temperature SCOT TGU Catalyst – Practical Experience” by Gerrit Bloemendal (Comprimo)
  • “Process Control Optimization Effort” by Kent Yaws (TengizChevroil)
  • “Choices for Determining Amine Strength” by Al Keller (ConocoPhillips representing the Amine Best Practices Group)
  • “Low Temperature TGU Catalyst System” by Steve Massie (Criterion Catalysts)
  • “Engineered Refractory Practice for O2 Enriched Operation – A Case Study” by Andy Piper (Thorpe Corporation)
  • “SRU Overpressure in a Wasteheat Boiler Failure” by Justin Lamar (Black & Veatch)
  • “D’Gaass Process Update” by Steve Fenderson (Goar Allison)