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GPA Europe Annual Conference

GPAE Annual Conference Is on the Horizon

Join us 9 - 11 October 2023, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

3 days. Endless Ideas. Celebrating 40 Years for GPAE. Registration is open!


Start Date
Event Start
Start Time
Event Time
09:00 - 17:00
End Date
Event End Date
Event Address
Carl-Bosch-Straße 38 67063 Ludwigshafen
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Welcome to our Annual Conference

9 - 11 October 2023

 

Get Ready

A conference and networking event organised by GPA Europe and hosted by BASF SE, organised for the European Gas Processing Industry. Celebrating 40 years of GPAE!

BASF

One of the strengths of GPA Europe is the large number of people who have been active members of our organisation and the industry for many years – several of whom will be presenting.


Our conference kicks off on Monday 9 October with a Workshop in the morning and BASF Plant Tours in the afternoon. The Technical Conference starts on Tuesday 10 October.
We have dedicated sessions for our Young Professionals on Monday 9 October. Find out more details here >

 

What's on?

 

YP Training Day

 

We have a one-day Young Professional Training on Monday 9 October.

It is Free.

 

Workshop

 

Three-hour Workshop on Gas Treatment to reduce emissions.

 

Keynote Address

 

Don't miss the Keynote address by Dr. Lars Kissau, President, Net Zero Accelerator.

 

Panel Discussion

 

Two-hours bringing participants fascinating debate and big picture outlooks from some of the big names in the gas processing industry.

 

 

BASF Plant Tours

 

A limited number of spaces are available on the BASF Plant Tour.

 

Technical Conference

 

Hear from selected speakers during the three-day programme.

 

 

Exhibition

 

We have limited, but high quality, exhibition space. Would you like to exhibit your wares?

 

 

Registration Passes

 

Don't delay, check out our registration packages and pricing.

 

 

Welcome Reception

 

Join us at BASF "Gesellschaftshaus" for drinks and canapés with your fellow delegates.

 

Conference Dinner

 

The Conference Dinner 'Celebrating 40 Years of GPAE!'.

 

 

Companions Tour

 

Back for 2023!

We are happy to invite all companions of the GPA participants to a guided tour.

 

 

Hotel

 

We have a limited number of discounted rooms available at the Radisson Blu Mannheim Hotel.

 

 


The Programme

We are delighted to present our 3-day outline to you:

DAY 1

DAY 1

 

DAY 2

 

DAY 3

Young Professional Training Day Annual Conference Annual Conference Annual Conference
Registration Registration Registration Registration
       
Young Professional Training Day Workshop Keynote Address Panel Discussion
   
Morning Session Morning Session
   
Lunch Lunch Lunch & Networking Lunch & Networking
       
BASF Plant Tours BASF Plant Tours Afternoon Session Afternoon Session
       
Welcome Drinks Reception Welcome Drinks Reception

Exhibitor Reception

Conference Dinner

Conference Close

 


Become a Sponsor

We are seeking Sponsors - Highlight your institution - Discover our sponsorship and exhibition packages and please get in touch with us today for more information.

Sponsorship and Exhibition Brochure

 

Sponsors

 


Get involved today

Don’t miss out! Save the date!

Don't forget to connect with us on LinkedIn, follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook.

 

 

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We are delighted to present our 2-day programme to you. Please note this is a provisional programme and subject to change. Information is being added regularly so do come back!

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TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER

Gas Processing

Recent Improvements and Cost Reduction in the CANSOLV CO2 Capture Process

Speaker: Paul-Emmanuel Just, Shell Global Solutions

An extensive pilot plant test was performed to obtain operational data at higher regeneration pressure (4 bara instead of 2 bara) while using an enhanced amine blend of CANSOLV DC103. The key performance indicators (KPIs) monitored included regeneration energy, amine degradation rate and emissions. DC103 Alpha, in combination with high pressure regeneration (4.0 bara), achieved the largest reduction in reboiler duty compared to the base case (DC-103 at 2.0 bara) with up to 10% reduction in specific energy (GJ per ton of CO2 captured). The amine degradation rate remained constant for both amine regeneration pressures. The combination of a small relative increase in temperature and the inherent resistance of DC103 amine structure against degradation may explain this stability at increased pressure. The emissions at stack were monitored and the 24 hours average amine emissions remained significantly below the emission target level of 0.2 ppmv, excluding few events of abnormal operating conditions, such as plant trip. It was established that the use of the enhanced DC 103 blends can still meet the amine emissions commitments.

The following items will be beneficially impacted by high regeneration pressure: reduced CO2 compression power and number of CO2 compression stages; reduced reboiler duty and steam consumption; reduced regenerator column diameter and height and reduced regenerator condenser area.

 

Improving Sulphur Recovery Unit flexibility and performance through Reaction Furnace Fuel Gas Co-firing and Oxygen Enrichment

Speaker: Alessandro Mari, Saipem and Adriaan Roux, Comprimo

Authors: Alessandro Mari and Sabrina D'Orazio, Saipem; Adriaan Roux, Comprimo; and Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Saudi Aramco

The objective is to go over the design approach to detail design three Sulphur Recovery Units (SRU) in Tanajib Gas Plant Project (Saudi Arabia) and achieve Saudi Aramco environmental goal of minimizing emissions (including acid gas flaring).

Due to the wide range of acid gas compositions, many design challenges appeared during detail design. The capacity of each SRU Train can be varied from 850 metric tons per day (MTPD) of produced sulphur, when the train operates with Fuel Gas co-firing, to 1,275 MTPD when operating with Oxygen Enrichment. Utilizing oxygen enrichment when one SRU train is taken out for maintenance, the capacity of the remaining two can be increased to 50% of the total feed flow each as, using Oxygen Enrichment, the inert nitrogen is being replaced by reactive acid gas.

Moreover, the application of combined co-firing and oxygen enrichment guarantees a remarkable operational flexibility both in terms of plant capacity and rangeability of Acid Gas composition. 

Saipem, Saudi Aramco Project Management Team (SAPMT), Comprimo and the Burner supplier worked together to develop solutions to mitigate the risk associated to this operating mode.

 

RotaSep for Combined Liquid and Solid Separation from Gases without Replaceables or Shutdowns

Speaker: Piet Geerts, SDS Separation Technology

RotaSep is based on a next generation gas-liquid and gas-solid separation technology using a rotating internal and centrifugal forces to separate 1 micrometer fine particles from gases in order to protect sensitive equipment like compressors. The unique performance of RotaSep in bulk gas flows results in relatively very compact separation packages that proves increasing distinct performance and advantages at increased operating pressure.

After 99.5% certified 1µm particle separation was shown in a demo unit earlier this year RotaSep showed a step-change in separation performance in removing liquids and fine solids from a natural gas stream on a North Sea offshore platform. Filter cartridges, multi-stage cyclone internals were not able to deliver this performance without frequent shutdown and maintenance. RotaSep has now resolved these issues and was the only technology to fit in the available space. With these results for RotaSep the applied platform technology offers large potential to service many processes in the existing and renewable gas processing facilities.

 

Horizontal Separation Membranes for CO2 Capture—First in Southeast Asia

Speaker: Srinivas Vadlamani, SLB

This abstract showcases the use of horizontal CO2 separation membranes for one of the world’s largest offshore carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects and the first such venture in Southeast Asia. The Phase 2 project objective is to recover hydrocarbons from CO2-rich natural gas permeating from the Phase 1 facilities, eliminating 3.3 metric tons of CO2e emissions per year.

Horizontal CO2 separation membranes were selected as the most economical solution for this application. The membrane technology offers numerous advantages over other acid gas removal technologies, especially for natural gas streams with high concentrations of CO2. Key advantages include the membrane’s compact and modular design, no need for solvent or pumps, long operating life, high energy efficiency, no foaming or other operational issues, and low capex and opex, leading to the lowest overall life-cycle costs. Additionally, a digital solution has been integrated for continuous performance monitoring, which enables operational tuning and proactive membrane replacement over the life of the project.

 

LNG

First Installation of Durasorb LNG MAX to Address Coldbox Freezing and Increase LNG Production

Speaker: Tobias Eckart, BASF Process Catalysts Group

Coldbox freezing by heavy hydrocarbons (HHCs) causing reduced LNG throughput is a known problem in the industry. This challenge is particularly acute in the US, where LNG facilities are fed by lean pipeline gas, but also a concern in other parts of the world where plants are faced with changing feedgas compositions. To address this problem, and restore maximum throughput to LNG facilities, BASF has proposed an adsorbent solution for the removal of HHCs from lean gas.

BASF, working with Kinder Morgan at the Elba Island LNG facility, has implemented Durasorb technology, which eliminated deriming events, decreased operational complexity, and increased LNG production. In Summer of 2022, molecular sieves were removed from the dehydration unit and replaced with Durasorb products. After change out of adsorbent materials and minor modifications to cycle times, the two trains running Durasorb are removing water to LNG specifications and heavy hydrocarbons (C8+, BTX) to levels that do not cause freezing.  The removal of HHCs in the adsorption section has resulted in steady pressure drop (dp) readings in the cold section, eliminating the need for deriming events, and increasing LNG production throughput. This simple drop-in solution did not require CapEx.

 

Liquid Hydrogen-NH3 and LNG Storage Comparison

Speaker: Nikos Xynopoulos, Linde Hellas 

Authors: Nikos Diamantakis, Heriot-Watt University; Vassilis Kyriakou, University of Groningen, and Aleksandar Mirkovic, University of Belgrade

In this study, a comparative techno-economic analysis of short-term storage and transportation options between LH2, LNG, and NH3 is conducted/presented. The physicochemical properties, potential hazards, current production maturity level, and current transportation-storage options for the three energy carriers, are overviewed. More specifically, the main storage tank types for LH2, LNG, and NH3 are reviewed focusing on liquid stratification issues, boil-off phenomena, material compatibility, the role of He/N2, design considerations, pressure relief systems, and energy requirements. A simple recirculation/leakage simulation is conducted using ASPEN HYSYS for each storage tank option in order to highlight the similarities among them, as well as the challenges of each particular case. Their onshore and offshore storage feasibility status and future perspectives are finally discussed on the basis of these associated challenges, including potential ways to overcome them.

 

Innovation and Technology Deployment in Gas Processes

Speaker: Abdullah Bagazi, Aramco

Uthmaniyah, one of the largest Aramco gas processing plants, is located in Udhailiyah 170 KM south west from Dhahran. Uthmaniyah Gas Plant (UGP) was commissioned in 1981 as part of Aramco’s Master Gas System to process associated gas from oil wells. UGP has been recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a “Lighthouse” manufacturing facility, a leader in technology applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which enabled Aramco to be the first global energy company in the oil and gas sector of such recognition.

Aramco’ long term investment in innovation, technology deployment and operational excellence, which has made UGP to be one of the world’s most efficient facilities in gas processing, environment and energy management. This presentation will talk about the latest deployed programs including Enhanced Liquid Hydrocarbon Recovery, Flare Gas Recovery System (FGR), Combined Heat & Power Systems, and Steam Turbine Generator (STG).

 


WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER

Hydrogen

Implementation of Rigorous Modelling and Optimization Tools for Sustainable Production of Green Ammonia

Speaker: Laura Fiorillo, Siemens Process Systems Engineering Limited

Only 40% of global CO2 emissions originate from power generation which can be decarbonized via renewable power, whereas the other 60% of CO2 emissions originate from industry, transportation, buildings, and others. Green hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be applied to decarbonization, either used directly or in the form of its derivatives like methanol, ammonia, or e-fuels to replace traditional energy sources that are believed to be the cause of climate change. This work aims to focus on the challenges, opportunities, and future potentials with ammonia as a carbon-free chemical, by introducing and implementing cutting-edge simulation tools that allow for the exploration of wider aspects of the green ammonia process such as yield, energy consumption sustainability, to overcome barriers related to production, storage and usage. The use of advanced modelling can comprehensively explore the domain of various factors over KPI’s to assess the impact of different storage unit sizes, different energy management strategies to cope with fluctuations associated to wind energy and load on ammonia reactor to maintain stability within the system. This is done to optimize the process and reduce both energy consumption and gas emissions.

 

Hybrid Water-Splitting Technology as a Novel Approach to Efficiently Produce Green Hydrogen

Speakers: Dr Hasan Ozcan

Nicholas Amotta,b, Dan Somersb, Samantha Nicholsona, Bahman Amini Horric

a Fluor UK, Headquarter Office, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF, UK

b Clean Hydrogen Limited, London, WC2A 2JR, UK

c School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK

As a non-toxic, renewable, transportable, and emission-free energy carrier, hydrogen is becoming a popular alternative fuel in the energy sector. We have recently developed a hybrid water-splitting technology based on the chemical looping principle by combining "hydrothermal" and "electrochemical" processes capable of delivering green hydrogen at high efficiency. At the heart of the patented process, a hydrothermal reactor, functioning as the oxidation unit, operates side-by-side with a modified alkaline electrolyser as the reduction unit to deploy a complete red-ox loop for water splitting. The hydrothermal reactor facilitates the reaction between water and an active metallic reagent in an alkali solution at 150 – 400 °C to directly produce hydrogen (1 – 200 bar). The thermodynamically favoured reaction between water and the active metal generates excess heat, which can be recovered as superheated steam and potentially converted to electricity to balance the renewable input. The modified-alkaline electrolyser operating at 15 – 85 °C reactivates the spent metal oxide composite (reduction step) and simultaneously produces hydrogen at the cathode surface. Such a dual hydrogen harvesting approach, plus the heat recovery system, leads to a much higher energy efficiency (~90%, measured with Surrey's prototype lab-scale system) compared to the state-of-the-art water electrolysis technologies like PEM and alkaline electrolysers (~60 - 70%). The process can be deployed as a containerised modular unit integrated with various forms of renewable (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.) for large-scale onshore, offshore, or remote applications.

 

CCUS

Greening up the Fossil Fuels: CO2 Capture

Speaker: Dr. Eduard Karslyan, BASF SE

As the biggest driver behind the climate crisis, replacement of fossil fuels by renewable, clean energy sources is targeted as the ultimate goal.

Yet, a full transition cannot take place overnight. CO2 capture from combustion and chemical processes helps minimize the emissions of fossil fuels production & consumption industries in a pragmatic way that can be implemented today.

Since 1913, when BASF started first large scale CO2 capture at 1st Haber-Bosch ammonia plant in Oppau, we have been delivering OASE® technologies for carbon capture technologies for pre-combustion and post-combustion CO2 capture of fossil fuels and their derivatives.

Whether we talk about natural gas or LNG, syngas at ammonia and blue H2 plants, or flue gases from various industries (coal, gas, “hard-to-abate”) — every industry has been bringing us certain challenges, unconventional tasks and needs, but also interesting and valuable experience to be shared.

We will also overview the steps of continuous improvement in the areas of energy efficiency, environmental impact and total investment costs, which ensure that such applications remain attractive in the future.

 

The Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Useful Products: A Review

Speaker: Mansoor Al-Shamari, University of Bradford

Authors: Mansoor Al-Shamaria,b,c, Ahmed Khodaryc, Dong Suk Hanb, Iqbal M Mujtabaa, and Nejat Rahmaniana,*

a Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Informatics, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK

b The Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Qatar 

 c Qatar Shell Research Technology Center (QSRTC), Qatar

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

The conversion of CO2 gas emission into value-added products such as organic acid (e.g. formic acid (HCOOH), oxalic acid (HOOC ̶ COOH)), alcoholic products (e.g. methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH)), hydrocarbon products (e.g. methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6)), and mineralization with carbonate and bicarbonate,  is a  promising technology for mitigating the negative impacts of carbon dioxide and other gas emissions from industrial activities and other anthropogenic pollution. The electrochemical reduction (ECR) process is commonly used to convert CO2 into valuable products, and this process's efficiency is dependent on various factors, such as electrocatalysts nanomaterials, electrode geometry, and electrolyte solution. Despite significant advancements in CO2 ECR, several challenges hinder its efficiency, including the high cost of electrocatalyst materials, selectivity toward target products, the effective surface area of electrodes, and reactor dimensions.  This article aims to summarize the chemistry of transition metals used for coating the cathodic electrode in CO2 ECR, the effects of various operating conditions on CO2 conversion to products and the mechanisms of reaction for some intermediate and final products will be will be explained.

 

Operations

See What’s Happening in Your Pipeline: The Future of Gas Plant Management

Speaker: Paul Stockwell, Process Vision

The paper explores both the financial the safety issues of allowing liquids into gas transmission networks that lead to $ms of lost revenue and pose serious safety threats.

The two fiscal measurements of flow and calorific value are compromised when liquids are present in dry gas streams. Monitoring gas flows with a new camera system is showing that many gas supplies, thought to be dry, actually contain liquids in mist flows and stratified flows. This paper shares videos of real-world installations and tests showing that many gas processors are giving away BTUs in the form of NGLs without knowing it.   

With the ability to look directly into high-pressure gas pipelines, this paper describes how this new technology is discovering that phase separation and NGL recovery systems are not necessarily performing to specification. Traditional analysis systems conforming to API standards to monitor water and hydrocarbon dewpoints can lead the industry to be unaware when fault conditions exist, allowing liquids to pass through custody transfer points without tripping alarms.

Using image processing and machine learning to categorize the severity of contamination is turning interesting videos into data that is being used as a new metric for process control.

 

How Enhanced Reality Technology Increases Operator Competency and Reduces Human Error

Speaker: Susanna Voges, Voovio Technologies S.L.

Authors: Susanna Voges and Jaime Aguilera, Voovio Technologies S.L.

The baby boomer generation continues to retire and turnover in the process industry (the great resignation) is impacting many manufacturing sites with severe ‘brain drain’ at all levels, especially operators. The industry is searching for ways to make onboarding of new hires and plant specific qualification more efficient and effective. Traditional methods, like classroom training and shadowing experienced colleagues and SMEs for an extended period of time, are important but no longer sufficient.

Moreover, these traditional ways to pass on procedural knowledge tend to be highly dependent on the individual (people), which hinders standardization. Over time, shifts develop different ways of doing things, departing from the original procedure or taking shortcuts. In many instances, this leads to practice in the field not reflecting the written procedure. Our industry has a clear need for more transparency and a higher level of control over the practical procedural knowledge of the workforce (tribal knowledge), as well as a way to check and measure the level of operator knowledge and procedural compliance.

In addition to the shortcomings of traditional training, a common cause for practice in the field not reflecting the written procedures is that the ‘procedure clarity’ is often suboptimal due to the ambiguities or general statements in the procedure steps.

These challenges and shortcomings directly impact operational productivity due to long onboarding times and unplanned equipment downtime as a result of operating errors. They also directly impact plants’ safety performance, especially where actions cannot be automated and secured by safety instrumented systems. The flawless interaction of operators with the asset is an important layer of plant safety.

Enhanced Reality (ER) technology has been proven to solve the challenges described above. It allows simulating standard operating procedures in a photorealistic 3D environment (digital replica) for users to review, practice and test on standard operating procedures on-demand and on any device. Manufacturing organizations can capture their practical procedural expertise (Tribal Knowledge) and are able to measure and track procedure competency across their operators. This methodology has been labelled Digital Twin of the Person (DToP) by Gartner (1), referring to the human-centric approach of this technique.

Our presentation will include case studies from some of the process industries biggest companies that demonstrate the impact of improved procedure clarity and more consistent execution, which reduces unplanned events and speeds up operator onboarding while capturing more ‘tribal knowledge’.

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MONDAY 9 OCTOBER 2023

Workshop

Workshop description

Gas Treatment to reduce emissions

In this three-hour workshop organised by BASF SE, MPR Services, Comprimo and Axens.

The workshop is to be booked in conjunction with one of our conference passes.

 

Potential participants

This is a technical session. The session is intended for people in technical or business development roles who are courageous and confident enough to participate and contribute.

The numbers will be capped at 40 participants.

The workshop assumes prior knowledge of gas plant process units and principals and is aimed at experienced industry professionals (5+ years in industry).

If you are interested then don’t delay.

 

Workshop certificate

A Gas Processors Association Europe certificate will be issued to all attendees.

 

An Environmentally Responsible Approach to Amine Renewal and Hygiene in Sulfur and Carbon Capture Applications

Speaker: Sjaak Van Veelen, MPR Services

The need for amine renewal to remove unwanted contaminants many times depends on the gas treating application. Two different application cases are presented, with differences in both contaminants and incursion mechanisms.  In a sour gas treating, amine refurbishment may be needed after a sudden incident of SO2 breakthrough in the Tail Gas Unit (TGT) within a Sulfur plant.  Or there is a gradual build up of Heat Stable Salts (HSS) such as sulfite, sulfate, thiosulfates, and amino acid (Bicine). In comparison a Carbon Capture application is presented, the incursion of contaminants from treatment of flue gases, in this application is rapid and ongoing such that continuous amine renewal is needed, and a permanent on-site amine renewal unit needed to be installed.

 

Sales Gas Production from a Lean Natural Gas containing Mercaptans; Simplified Integrated Solution with Improved Economics

1100 MMSCFD Single Train AGRU Treats Lean Gas with BTX within an Integrated AGRU + Low BTX Enrichment Section + TGTU Absorber for a Middle East LNG Plant

Speakers: Piero Loliva and Carmella Alfano, Axens

 

Speakers: Gerald Vorberg and Tobias Eckardt, BASF

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is a rapidly growing approach to reduce CO2 emissions globally. One major challenge with CCUS is the numerous sources of CO2 with countless impurity profiles. The type and level of impurity can significantly impact the CO2 treatment required, and therefore the cost of the CCUS project.  Amine-base carbon capture process is the most commercially proven technology for separating CO2 from the flue gas stream. Once separated, the CO2 requires purification prior to transportation or utilization.  Due to the impurities in CO2 flue gas, degradation reactions can occur in the separation process that impact the downstream treatment.  In order to achieve overall lower treatment costs, a robust package comprising specialty amines and unique catalysts and adsorbents for CO2 purification are critical. In this workshop the BASF OASE and Adsorbents gas treatment team will highlight several of those aspects along the entire amine-based carbon capture process including the CO2 purification steps at its tail-end.

 

Sulphur Recovery Technologies

Speakers: Fiona George, Adriaan Roux and Leorelis Vasquez, Comprimo

Gas treating is required for the removal of contaminants and separation of components from raw sour gas streams to meet the required specifications in the product streams. This is achieved through the combination of different process units, and an optimal design considers the integration of all units. Comprimo will initially provide an overview of options for sulphur recovery. Three case studies will then be presented. For each study there was a requirement to remove hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and mercaptans from the sour gas and to produce sales gas, sulphur and carbon dioxide export streams. Key decisions included the selection of the locations for the removal of CO2 and mercaptans and the most suitable technology to be used in the acid gas removal, acid gas enrichment and sulphur recovery units.

 

Sjaak van Veelen
Section Title
Sjaak van Veelen
Section Description
Sjaak van Veelen is a senior business development manager and branch rep for Chem Group MPR Services LLC (MPR). Based in the Netherlands, he is responsible for MPR’s international business in the EMEA regions. This includes executing permanent and mobile amine and glycol reclaiming projects, solving corrosion and other problems in gas treating systems. Industries served include oil refineries, (Liquified) natural gas plants, ammonia industry, hydrogen production, steel manufacturing and biofuel plants. Sjaak obtained his engineering degree at the Rotterdam School of Engineering and Applied Science. He has 32 years of experience in various technical and commercial roles.
Carmella Alfano
Section Title
Carmella Alfano
Section Description
Carmella spent the first 8 years of her career working as a process engineer in EPC in the natural gas sector and then the next 5 years in the midstream business in Canada.

Carmella joined Axens in 2019 and currently works as Lead Technology Engineer for Axens Low Carbon Solutions and Gas Business Line focusing on the Acid Gas technologies. She is responsible for providing technical proposals for both Gas Sweetening and Sulfur Recovery.

Carmella holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary (Canada).
Piero Loliva
Section Title
Piero Loliva
Section Description
Piero works as Lead Technology Engineer for Axens Licensing business and holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Bologna (Italy).
Since 2019, he has been responsible for the preparation of Technical Proposals at Axens for Sulfur Recovery Unit technologies with the main goal of finding solutions with the best process and catalyst optimization that maximize energy recovery and improve project economics.

Before, he worked as a Proposal Engineer and a Project Engineer for an OEM Company involved in engineering, procurement and fabrication of tailor-made package and modularized units for applications such as: Industrial Refrigeration, Boil-Off Gas Recovery Unit, Gas Compression Unit.
Gerald Vorberg
Section Title
Gerald Vorberg
Section Description
Gerald Vorberg is a Senior Technology Manager at BASF’s OASE® Gas Treatment Team. In his global role as Project Leader he manages sulfur-related R&D projects as well as Carbon Capture activities. Besides the development of new, innovative technologies, he is also specialized on plant design and modelling.

Gerald joined BASF's Catalyst Group in 1997 and he has over 30 years of experience in industry, primarily in refineries, petrochemical production, power plants and gas processing.

He graduated in Chemical Engineering at the "University of Applied Sciences" of Mannheim, Germany (1991) and holds several patents in catalysis and acid gas treatment.
Fiona George
Section Title
Fiona George, Comprimo
Section Description
Fiona George is a Senior Specialist - Process Engineering with Comprimo, part of the Worley group, in London, United Kingdom. She is a chartered chemical engineer and Fellow of the IChemE with extensive design experience primarily in offshore and onshore Oil and Gas Processing, Gas Treating, Carbon Capture and Sulphur Removal. Her experience has included “green field” and major plant revamps in conceptual, FEED and detailed design phases of projects. Fiona is a global Subject Matter Expert for Acid Gas treating, Carbon Capture and Gas Processing and her roles and responsibilities vary depending on the project requirements.
Adriaan Roux
Section Title
Adriaan Roux, Comprimo
Section Description
Adriaan Roux is a Subject Matter Expert in Acid Gas Processing and Sulphur Recovery for Worley Comprimo sulphur technology licensing and consulting services. He has over 15 years of experience in process design and technology supply to the oil and gas industry, covering all project phases including Proposals, Process Studies, Basic Design, FEED, Detailed Design and On-site support for commissioning and start-up of licensed units.
Leorelis Vasquez
Section Title
Leorelis Vasquez, Comprimo
Section Description
Leorelis Vasquez is a Senior Process Engineer for Comprimo. She has worked for various sectors of the oil & gas and petrochemical industries for 17 years, joining Worley (formerly Jacobs) in 2011. Leorelis completed her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the “Simon Bolivar” university in Venezuela (2005) and a MSc in Refinery, Design and Operation at the “University of Manchester” in the UK (2008). In her current position Leorelis develops feasibility studies and process design packages for various technologies, including Carbon Capture and Storage, within Comprimo, the technology division of Worley.
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MONDAY 9 OCTOBER 2023

BASF Plant Tour

A limited number of spaces are available on the BASF Plant Tour starting at 2pm on Monday 9 October 2023.

The tour will take place in English.

The tours will finish at BASF "Gesellschaftshaus" for the Welcome Drinks Reception.

Spaces will be booked on a first come basis.

BASF Site
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TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2023

Keynote Address

Dr. Lars Kissau, President, Net Zero Accelerator

 

Lars Kissau was born in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1973. He studied Chemistry in Freiburg and Business Administration in Hagen, Germany. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Max-Planck-Institute in Dortmund in 2002.

 

Dr. Lars Kissau
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TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER

A message from our Sponsors

Aramco Leadership in Environmental Excellence and Energy Efficiency

Speaker: Fahad Saud Al-Dossary is the Director of the Uthmainyah Gas Plant Department at Aramco

Fahad will deliver a keynote speech about Aramco Leadership in Environmental Excellence and Energy Efficiency. As one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, Aramco has a role to play in helping to build a lower carbon economy, while delivering the energy and materials needed to support economic growth and societal well-being in the world. Aramco is a founding member of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), and is working to actively shape the global pathway to a low carbon future.  As a signatory to the World Bank’s “Zero Flaring” by 2030 initiative. Aramco Environmental Excellence and Energy Efficiency originated from many decades of careful long-term reservoir management, operational efficiency, innovation and meaningful technology investments underpin its low-cost, efficient operations that have helped it maximize value from the Kingdom’s resources. In line with our ambition to achieve net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions across wholly-owned operated assets by 2050, we strive to provide reliable energy while maintaining leadership as one of the lowest carbon intensity producers of hydrocarbon product. Aramco is committed to shares best practices and knowledge with peer companies to ensure its work has a broader positive impact and maintain its low upstream carbon intensity. 

Fahad Saud Al-Dossary
Section Title
Fahad Saud Al-Dossary
Section Description
Fahad Saud Al-Dossary is the Director of the Uthmainyah Gas Plant Department at Aramco. He has over 20 year of extensive experience in Gas Processing, Gas Plants Operations, Environmental Management, and Energy Efficiency. Fahad joined Aramco in 1998 after completing Aramco College Sponsorship program with a Bachelor degree of Applied Chemical Engineering from Arizona State University. He started his career as a process engineer in Shedgum gas Plant, then moved to Foreman of operations, Supervisor of Plant Engineering, Superintendent of Engineering, Superintendent of Operations, General Supervisor of Gas and NGL in Oil Supply Planning and Scheduling (OSPAS) department, Manager of Gas Operations Technical Support and Planning Department, Manager of Shedgum Gas Plant Department, Manager of Hawiyah NGL Recovery Plant Department, Manager of Haradh Gas Plant Department and is now the director of the Uthmainyah Gas Plant Department.
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WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2023

Panel Discussion

Two-hours bringing participants fascinating debate and big picture outlooks from some of the big names in the gas processing industry.

“Europe’s Energy Transition: How can hydrogen and decarbonisation activities become accelerators for the European Gas Processing Industry“

Tilman Bechthold
Section Title
Tilman Bechthold, RWE Power AG
Section Description
Vice President, Head of Research & Development, RWE Power AG

Mr. Bechthold holds degrees in Process Engineering from RWTH Aachen and Business Administration from TU Munich and has been working in the energy industry in Germany, Portugal and South Africa for more than 30 years.

He started his professional career as junior engineer at RWE in Essen in 1992, followed by various operational and management positions in the field of power generation from gas and coal, e.g. Power Station Manager of Niederaußem Lignite Power Plant and Neurath-Frimmersdorf Lignite Power Plants. Since October 2020 he is responsible for the R&D activities of RWE Power AG.

Mr. Bechthold is member of the Executive Committee of IEA GHG (Technical Programme GreenHouse Gases of the International Energy Agency), member of the Coal Advisory Group of the European Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS), member of the Board and chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of vgbe (International Technical Association for the generation and storage of electricity) and member of the Board of DGMK (German scientific association for sustainable energy, mobility and carbon cycles).
Dr. Torsten Katz
Section Title
Dr. Torsten Katz, BASF
Section Description
Torsten Katz has been Head of BASF's Global Gas Treatment business since July 2023. Since 2001, he has held various positions in this division. From 2005 to 2008 he worked as Technical Marketing and Sales Engineer at BASF's Hong Kong office and from 2008 to June 2023 as Head of the Global Technology at BASF headquarters in Germany. In this role, he was responsible for OASE® Gas Treatment excellence activities and new business development in Gas Treatment. He began his professional career in 1997 in biotechnological research at BASF. Torsten holds a degree in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen University and subsequently received his doctorate in process engineering.
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TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2023

Companions Tour

We are happy to invite all companions of the GPA participants to a guided tour into the beautiful wine area of the Palatinate.

We will start in the morning from the Radisson Blu hotel with a sightseeing tour trough the old town of Speyer. An English speaking guide will give us some insights to the history of the over 2000 years old city, which is located on the Rhine river. A small break and a free visit of the gorgeous cathedral are included as well.

Later, a bus will bring us to St. Martin a tiny and typical village in between the vineyards. There, we are going to enjoy a private Winetasting (English speaking) and snacks. Before we return back to the hotel, the companions will have some spare time to enjoy this palatinate flair.

NOTE: also non-alcoholic beverages will be served instead of wine!

St Martin

 

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Don’t miss these opportunities for networking with your peers during your time at the GPA Europe Annual Conference.

MONDAY 9 OCTOBER 2023

Welcome Reception

Join us at BASF "Gesellschaftshaus" for drinks and canapés with your fellow delegates.

For those joining us for the BASF Plant Tours, you will be dropped off at the venue after the tour.

 


TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2023

Exhibitor Reception

​Join us in the exhibition area, within the Conference foyer to speak with our exhibitors and network with your fellow delegates.

 

Conference Dinner

The Conference Dinner 'Celebrating 40 Years of GPAE!' on Tuesday 10 October set in the beautiful Rhine-Neckar region.

 


Daily Breaks

Join us in the Conference foyer for snacks and beverages during your morning, lunch and afternoon breaks.

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HOTEL

Radisson Blu Hotel, Q7, 27, Mannheim, 68161, Germany

GPA Europe have secured a limited number of discounted rooms at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Mannheim.

This stylish hotel offers spacious designer rooms. Start your day in their modern gym with a morning power workout or relax after a long day by spending some time in our spa area with a Finnish sauna, bio sauna, and relaxation room. In the evening, excellent drink and snack options are offered in our ROOF Bar.

We have transport arranged from the hotel to BASF SE at the start and end of each day.

We can request additional nights at the hotel on your behalf, these are not guaranteed until confirmed by the hotel. We have a limited number of rooms available in our room block on Sunday 8 October and Wednesday 11 October at the conference room rate of:

  • Single Occupancy: £165 / €189
  • Double Occupancy: £182 / €209

Please note that the room rate we have secured for the conference dates cannot be guaranteed for any additional nights booked outside of these dates due to limited availability at the hotel.

Radisson Blu Hotel

 

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From Frankfurt Airport

By train:

From the airport, take the train ICE 611 towards München Hbf, travel for 30 minutes and exit at Mannheim Hauptbahnhof.

By taxi:

Take the fastest route via A5 and A67, and arrive in approximately 47 minutes.

 

By Car

Radisson Blu Hotel

Address: Q7, 27, Mannheim, 68161, Germany

 

 

BASF SE

Address: BASF Tor 2, Building D105 (Gate 2)

 

Parking

Radisson Blu Hotel

The hotel is located in the heart of the city, in the midst of the Mannheimer Quadrate. You can reach the hotel easily from motorways A67, A5 and A6. Please be aware that vehicles in the Mannheim city center need a green emissions sticker (pollutant-group 4). There is a parking area with space for over 1,400 cars and two electric car charging stations for our guests. You can find direct access to the hotel on parking level P3 and the parking fee for 24 hours is EUR 15.

 

BASF SE

There is limited parking available, please let us know if you need to book a parking space.

 

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Conference Pricing

Get the full GPAE experience with:

  • 3 days of sessions, including the general session, keynote speech, panel discussion and more
  • Admittance to evening events: Welcome Reception and 40th Celebratory Dinner
  • Attendee meals
  • Workshop
  • BASF Plant Tour
  • Exhibition

Book before 31 July to receive an Early Bird discount of £100 / €120 off each Conference Pass price.

Single Conference Passes

Single Conference passes aimed at an individual attending without their partner/spouse.

 

GPAE Member

Non-Member

Conference Only Pass (single)

£1,100 / €1,300

£1,200 / €1,420

Two-night Conference Pass (single)

£1,450 / €1,700

£1,550 / €1,820

Three-night Conference Pass (single)

£1,600/ €1,850

£1,700 / €1,970

 

Double Conference Passes

Double Conference passes aimed at an individual attending with their partner/spouse. This pass entitles your partner/spouse to attend the Welcome Reception, Celebratory Conference Dinner and the Companions Tour.

 

GPAE Member

Non-Member

Conference Only Pass (double)

£1,400 / €1,650

£1,500 / €1,770

Two-night Conference Pass (double)

£1,750 / €2,050

£1,850 / €2,170

Three-night Conference Pass (double)

£1,900 / €2,200

£2,000 / €2,320

 

Discounts Available

Early Bird Discount

Book before 31 July to receive an Early Bird discount of £100 / €120 off each Conference Pass price.

 

Member Discount

GPA Europe Members will receive a discount of £100 / €120 off each Conference Pass price.

 

Young Professional Discount

GPA Europe is offering Graduate Engineers the opportunity to attend the Technical Conferences at a discount of £400 / €460 on the fees paid by an accompanying senior engineer. The graduate engineer should not have attended a residential GPA Europe Conferences previously and have less than five years’ experience. Contact [email protected] for a discount code.

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Tuesday 10 October Speakers

Paul-Emmanuel Just
Section Title
Paul-Emmanuel Just
Section Description
Paul-Emmanuel Just is principal Science Expert s at Shell Global Solution B.V. He has more than 15 years of experience in gas processing. He started in Montreal, Canada, where he oversaw the development of new amine solvents for post-combustion CO2 and SO2 capture. He also took part of several piloting campaigns on the field to demonstrate the CANSOLV CO2 process. He joined the CO2 Abatement team at the Shell Technology Center Amsterdam in 2018, where his broader scope of research now includes other types of capture technologies such as non-aqueous solvents, membranes and solid sorbents. Paul-Emmanuel Just was born in 1974 in France. He obtained a M.Sc. degree in Physical Organic Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry, with minors in Electrochemistry and Spectroscopy from the University Paris VII, France. Paul-Emmanuel Just has authored numerous scientific papers in various areas: polymers, organic synthesis and carbon nanotubes, Carbon capture. He is regularly invited as speaker to international conferences.

Session Title: Recent Improvements and Cost Reduction in the CANSOLV CO2 Capture Process
Alessandro Mari
Section Title
Alessandro Mari
Section Description
With 11 years’ experience, Alessandro Mari has been working for SAIPEM S.p.A. for more than four years as Company focal point for sulfur recovery, gas treatment and CO2 capture technologies, being involved as Process Lead Engineer in some of the major onshore executive projects carried out by SAIPEM.

He previously worked in KT (Maire Tecnimont Group) as Process Engineer, licensing sulfur recovery and tail gas treatment technologies and providing site assistance to several Clients for start-up and operational troubleshooting.
Adriaan Roux
Section Title
Adriaan Roux
Section Description
Adriaan Roux is a Subject Matter Expert in Acid Gas Processing and Sulphur Recovery for Worley Comprimo sulphur technology licensing and consulting services. He has over 15 years of experience in process design and technology supply to the oil and gas industry, covering all project phases including Proposals, Process Studies, Basic Design, FEED, Detailed Design and On-site support for commissioning and start-up of licensed units.
Piet Geerts
Section Title
Piet Geerts,
Section Description
Piet Geerts has a background in Process Technology (Mechanical Engineering) from TU-Eindhoven where he graduated in 2013 on the first RotaSep pilot project in the Dutch natural gas net. He worked several years in the Oil & Gas, Food, Pharma and Renewables for various Engineering and Consulting firms. After graduation he worked parttime on RotaSep technology and joined SDS in 2020 as a Technical Application Manager where he is responsible for the technical side of product and business development (engineering, manufacturing, R&D, technical sales support, PMC strategy).

Session Title: RotaSep for Combined Liquid and Solid Separation from Gases Without Replaceables or Shutdowns
Srinivas Vadlamani
Section Title
Srinivas Vadlamani
Section Description
Srinivas C Vadlamani is presently working as Manager- process Engineering at Schlumberger India. His present roles include design and operations of the oil, water and gas processing plants with various technology best fits for the most challenging fields across the world. He heads the Process Engineering group of Schlumberger in India. He is also the SME in gas group at Schlumberger and Principal Trainer for the membrane-based technologies.

Before joining Schlumberger, Srinivas worked with industry giants like GE Energy in gasification and IGCC domain and with UOP as Technology Specialist -Gas Processing & Hydrogen groups.

Srinivas had an overall 19+ years of experience in chemical industry and more than 16 years in Oil and Gas Industry.

Srinivas earned a B. Tech in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Plant Design from NITK Surathkal.

Session Title: Horizontal Separation Membranes for CO2 Capture—First in Southeast Asia
Tobias Eckardt
Section Title
Tobias Eckardt
Section Description
Dr. Tobias Eckardt is Global Technology Expert Natural Gas for BASFs adsorbents group. His responsibilities cover Natural Gas Dehydration and Hydrocarbon Recovery applications in LNG, NGL, and pipeline service. Additionally, he serves as a catalyst expert for Sulphur Recovery processes.

He started his industry career back in 2005 in Product Development holding positions with increasing responsibility. Tobias Eckardt earned his Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from University Colleague Cologne and studied Chemistry at University Colleagues Göttingen and Dublin with strong focus on Catalysis. He has published numerous scientific papers in various refereed journals, conference proceedings and has numerous patents granted or pending.

Session Title: First Installation of Durasorb LNG MAX to Address Coldbox Freezing and Increase LNG Production
Nikos Xynopoulos
Section Title
Nikos Xynopoulos
Section Description
Nikos graduated with a master’s degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), from the Chemical Engineering Department, and majored in NH3 synthesis under Professor Michael Stoukides, who honored him with his supervision. He received his master's degree in Petroleum Engineering (Scholarship Awarded from Hellenic Petroleum) from the Technical University of Crete (TUC) and continued his post-graduate studies in Oil & Gas Engineering at the University of Aberdeen. Nikos started his career as a chemical engineer in the desalination industry (Watera Hellas-former Culligan Greece) and continued as a Technical & Quality Control Supervisor and lead project engineer for a major Greek ship supplier; well experienced in STS equipment regarding LNG and crude oil. Furthermore, he worked as a chemical engineer for Nalco Water and was accountable for the chemical treatment program for major Greek refineries, and gained significant experience in Boiler Water Treatment, CDU Anticorrosion Treatment & Cooling Tower Water Treatment. He also worked at Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries as an operations engineer at the Gasolines Complex and as a blending engineer at the Fuels Distribution Department. He is currently working as ASU, H2 and Ecovar Plant Manager at Linde Hellas.

Session Title: Liquid Hydrogen-NH3 and LNG Storage Comparison
Abdullah Bagazi
Section Title
Abdullah Bagazi
Section Description
Abdullah Bagazi is a senior process engineer at Aramco’s Uthmaniyah Gas Plant. he has 9 years of experience in gas processing industry including NGL recovery, process utilities, and gas conditioning. Additionally, he led the commissioning of the utility facilities at Aramco’s first underground Gas Storage plant.
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Wednesday 11 October Speakers

Laura Fiorillo
Section Title
Laura Fiorillo
Section Description
Laura Fiorillo obtained her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from La Sapienza University of Rome and a master’s degree in process engineering from the Alma Mater University of Bologna, both in Italy.

During her final year, she joined BASF Bologna as a student intern working on a group design project titled "Recovery of a heavy hydrocarbon from an acidic stream in a petrochemical plant".
Laura later joined the System Identification research group in London during her internship as an academic researcher at University College London with her Master's thesis entitled: "Modeling of a soy sauce electrodialytic desalting process using continuous model-based design of experiments techniques", and part of her work was presented at 2019 Siemens Process Systems Engineering’s Advanced Process Modelling Forum. Since then, Laura has been working as an Applications Engineer in the Energy and Chemicals BU at Siemens PSE in London, where she has taken part in numerous projects. She was relocated to The Netherlands in 2023 to work closer with the Benelux market.

Session Title: Implementation of Rigorous Modelling and Optimization Tools for Sustainable Production of Green Ammonia
Dr Hasan Ozcan
Section Title
Dr Hasan Ozcan
Section Description
Dr Hasan Ozcan obtained his PhD (UOIT) in Canada at Mechanical Engineering major in 2015 on thermochemical water spitting for hydrogen production. He published over 40 SCI indexed journal papers, 5 book chapters and over 25 conference papers in the field with more than 1400 citations and a h-index of 18, holder of a patent and took part in many international projects mainly on sustainable hydrogen production. He conducted research at two universities in the UK on reversible fuel cells and hybrid redox hydrogen production cycles. He is presently a board member and the CTO of a newly established company on hydrogen production based in Surrey and a full time professor in a university in Turkey.

Session Title: Hybrid Water-Splitting Technology as a Novel Approach to Efficiently Produce Green Hydrogen
Dr. Eduard Karslyan
Section Title
Dr. Eduard Karslyan
Section Description
Dr. Eduard Karslyan is a Senior Technical Marketing Manager at BASF.

Eduard is based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and works across Europe and Africa to commercialize BASF OASE® gas treatment technologies applied for removal of acid gases from gas streams of different industries (LNG, GCC, CCUS, biogas).

Eduard’s current role includes marketing, sales and project implementation for OASE® projects through 1st customer’s call to successful start-up and operation of OASE® plant.

Eduard holds PhD in Physical & Organic Chemistry and is a co-author of 15 papers.

Eduard has worked in the chemical research and oil & gas industry for more than 20 years in various technical and commercial roles.
Mansoor Al-Shamri
Section Title
Mansoor Al-Shamri, University of Bradford
Section Description
Mansoor Al-Shamri, Laboratory and Quality Manager at Qatar Shell GTL- The world's largest gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant. I am the site process focal point for Pearl GTL products (upstream & downstream). I am a certified auditor for ISO 9001, 14001, OSHA, and ISO 17025. Managing Greenhouse gases with significant achievement in reducing CO2 emissions at Qatar Shell GTL.
I was working in QAFCO (Fertilizer company), then Qatar Gas Company (LNG) the biggest LNG producer in the world.

I am a Ph.D. student in Chemical Engineering at Bradford University, with more than 25 years of technical and managerial experience.

Session Title: The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to useful products: A Review
Paul Stockwell
Section Title
Paul Stockwell
Section Description
With a long history of dewpoint measurement systems, in 1991, Paul Stockwell created International Moisture Analysers (IMA). From the outset, the company intended to have the ability to look at multi-species analysis, and Paul served on working parties for the National Physical Laboratory in the UK for the improvement of moisture measurement. Providing dewpoint measurement training for a variety of techniques for measurement engineers. With 35 years of experience in oil and gas systems, Paul was instrumental in the introduction of laser absorption spectroscopy using tunable diode lasers for natural gas measurements assisting in the development of the first TDL system for natural gas which has now become the industry-standard method for moisture measurement in Natural Gas. As Managing Director for 20 years, Paul has gained insight into the safety and cost impacts of processes and their problem areas.

The development of LineVu, a permanent monitor for gas/liquid separator efficiency, has revealed some surprises and shown that we still do not know everything about what is going on in gas systems and gas pipelines. In 2017 Paul led the de-merger of IMA to form Process Vision. Paul is named inventor on 16 granted patents, with 22 pending patents, and firmly believes that a thorough understanding gained through imaging can make a significant difference to the oil and gas industry.

Session Title: See What’s Happening in Your Pipeline: The Future of Gas Plant Management
Susanna Voges
Section Title
Susanna Voges, Voovio Technologies S.L.
Section Description
Susanna Voges studied Process Engineering at Hamburg University of Technology, where she also obtained her PhD in Process Engineering from the Institute of Thermal Separation Processes in 2008. She started her career in chemical industry joining BASF late 2007. At BASF she had different functions in technical development, working on the design of key equipment for CAPEX projects, troubleshooting at production plants and on process and production optimization. Coming back from an overseas assignment, which implied setting up a regional process engineering hub for Asia Pacific in Shanghai, she eventually joined manufacturing in early 2016. After a total of six years in pigments production as a production manager and later as a plant manager she decided to join Voovio Technologies in early 2022 in order to serve the industry with innovative solutions for some of its most pressing needs.

Session Title: How Enhanced Reality Technology Increases Operator Competency and Reduces Human Error
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New for 2023!
Digital Technical Posters will be displayed within the Exhibition Area. Each Poster will have a 5minute presentation.

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Optimization of a Back-up Condensate Stabilization Unit

Abbas Rajaei, Nejat Rahmanian*

Chemical  Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Informatics,  University of Bradford, UK

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

This study investigates the effectiveness parameters of a back-up condensate stabilization process (BCSU) in achieving the desired product specifications. The focus is on the key operating parameters of pressure and temperature of separators, which play a significant role in satisfying the required Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of the products. The selection of the optimal operating pressure and temperature is crucial based on the process condition. The reduction of waste hydrocarbon production is also an essential factor in selecting the stabilization unit configuration. Three case studies are presented that examine the effectiveness of different temperature and pressure settings on three potential back-up stabilization process configurations. The results show that the selection of the right stabilization unit configuration can significantly reduce waste hydrocarbon production, economically worth, and less hydrocarbon emission, which is environmentally friendly, and improve the quality of the condensate product, helping to meet the required product standards. 

 

Oxygen in Post-Combustion CO2 - Efficient Removal for Transportation and Utilisation

Simon Saul, Johnson Matthey

Natural gas remains an integral component of the future energy and feedstock mix. As the world is pledging to reduce the effects of global warming, it is increasingly important to address the carbon footprint associated with its utilisation for power generation and “grey” chemistries. Many variants of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Sequestration (CCUS) technology are successfully applied in industry, but there are still challenges in achieving the increasingly stringent specifications for transmission and utilisation of the captured CO2.

For post-combustion CO2, one of the most concerning components is oxygen. Oxygen can affect the transmission systems’ integrity (corrosion), the ability to use the CO2 for food preservation and deactivates catalysts during chemicals manufacture. Bulk CCUS systems do not address the removal of oxygen, this has to be done as a polishing step downstream of main unit. Catalytic oxidation is the simplest and most economic process over platinum group metal catalysts however, the challenge is retaining the efficient catalyst performance in the “witches brew” that most CO2 stream are. How to get the best out of your catalyst system?

 

Improving the output from LNG trains or reducing its footprint for greenfield project, using Dual Enhanced surface tubes in non-cryogenic exchangers

Nicolas Bilbault, Kelvion Thermal Solutions

Air Cooled Heat Exchangers (ACHEs) have a direct influence on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) production plants and especially on the refrigeration loop (refrigerant condensing and mixed refrigerant compression services). Moreover, ACHEs are by far the largest equipment items by area, having a direct impact on the plant size, and therefore on its capital expenditure. Designers of LNG plants are always trying to find solutions for increasing heat outcome from the ACHEs keeping the footprint of the plant acceptable.

Based on the above, a consortium made of Kelvion Thermal Solutions (KTS), Wieland Werke and Technip Energies, have developed a dual enhanced surface finned tube called “DIESTA” for ACHE application to optimize LNG plants efficiency. DIESTA finned tubes have microstructures inside and outside which create turbulence and therefore increase the heat transfer coefficient on tube and air sides.

 Figure 1 – Diesta finned tube

KTS offered the DIESTA finned tube technology to an ongoing LNG project in order to reduce the size and cost of ACHEs. The project team saw a good opportunity to reduce operating cost and improve future LNG production, keeping the footprint of the facility unchanged. The project team then asked KTS to fine tune ACHE design using maximum process flow rates for the 5 ACHEs of the refrigeration loop.

KTS also offers DIESTA in all major new built LNG plants in order to reduce the footprint of the ACHE and its associated pipe-rack support leading to large scale savings and reduction of C02 emissions associated to the production.

The DIESTA finned tube technology allows for improving the ACHEs efficiency and performance.

 

Sustainable Biogas Purification via Mobile Filters Using Renewable Activated Carbon

Frank Gänshirt and Charles-Elie Lefaucheur, Desotec

Activated carbon is widely used through deep bed filters or dry scrubbers for biogas purification.

Virgin and impregnated grades adsorb undesirable impurities contained in biogas, such as H2S, S-based molecules, VOC and siloxanes.

This scrubbing is very efficient, practically mandatory as polishing step, to meet stringent specifications of biomethane for grid injection.

Activated carbon was mainly produced from coal or renewable sources, depending on required pore size distribution and stream purification conditions.

Desotec strongly focuses on the development of renewable grades to gradually displace coal based grades. These combine high performance with a reduced environmental impact. By having an equal or even better purification efficiency, operation costs can be reduced.

Besides, the application of mobile filters enables the reactivation of spent activated carbon, resulting in a closed-loop recycling and drastically increasing the sustainability of mobile activated carbon filter solutions.

After patented R&D investigations, Desotec will be soon ready to exclusively offer the reactivation of activated carbon highly loaded with sulphur (up to 50%). This will complement the reactivation of VOC-loaded spent grades.

At last, needing no upfront investment and easily put in place on industrial sites, mobile filters are convenient solutions for routine operations and peak situations.

 

Post-Combustion Carbon Capture: from Onshore to Offshore

Ming Yang Lee, Sulzer Chemtech

The post-combustion carbon capture (PCCC) of flue gas streams using amines is relatively well-established for onshore facilities, including two commercial scale units in coal-fired power plants in North America. The application of PCCC to offshore vessels, such as FPSOs and LNG carriers, is a nascent trend which presents new challenges. The primary difference is that the PCCC columns installed on floating vessels are subjected to tilt and motion, so-called “moving columns”, leading to detrimental effects on column efficiency and capacity. Moreover, if successfully implemented, the PCCC CO2 absorber will be the largest ever moving column to be built.

The paper assesses the knowledge available to design PCCC moving columns, by examining several topics. Firstly, an overview of industry experiences with moving columns, primarily in FLNGs and FPSOs, is discussed. Secondly, an overview of industry experiences with onshore PCCC is discussed. Thirdly, the translation of a stationary PCCC CO2 absorber design into a moving column design is analyzed, considering the susceptibility and sensitivity of the column to maldistribution. Furthermore, a comparison against a high-pressure CO2 absorber in a FLNG is performed.

 

Support of Design Engineers and Plant Operators by a Digital Platform

Ralf Notz and Kai Binder, BASF SE

In the last years, BASF developed OASE® connect, a digital platform for its OASE® gas treatment applications. This platform provides various customer support like access to a knowledge center with training material, analytical data, OASE® digilab and a simulation tool. Latter one can be preset with plant specific settings and is the key element for analysis and for optimization of plant operation.

In the first part, this paper describes the challenges that had to be solved to be able to provide the necessary intellectual property protection as well as fine-grained access controls and configuration to the customer’s needs. With an increasing number of simulations and an increasing complexity, being able to scale-out the computational resources got more and more important. This led to the development of a cloud-based solution.

The second part of the paper describes the use of the OASE® connect simulation tool for monitoring of the current process operation and optimization of operating conditions. With input of operating data, the tool allows the simulation of the “as is” status. Based on the results, a second simulation can be triggered, which uses an optimization algorithm under consideration of side conditions to determine improvements for plant operation. Although these simulations can be triggered manually, a greater benefit is achieved by integration into higher-level systems for overall plant monitoring and optimization. The described OASE® connect simulations can be integrated via the CAPE-OPEN interface into such systems.

 

Sustainability Solutions by BASF Process Catalysts

Dr. Hamideh Ahi, BASF SE

We at BASF understand the challenges our customers are facing to reduce CO2 emissions. We are facing them ourselves.

We support them to decarbonize their process through innovative technologies.

In our Blue Map, we summarize the catalysts we offer to make the utilization of CO2 feedstocks possible.

 

Filtration & Separation technologies selection improving efficiencies in the blue hydrogen & carbon capture

Pavlos Papadopoulos, Parker Hannifin

The energy transition goes through various colours of hydrogen. Beyond the production and use of green hydrogen, meeting the Net Zero scenario implies going carbon negative in emissions, in other words decarbonize the various carbon emitting industries through carbon capture.

Filtration & coalescing are key not only to increase the efficiency of electrolysers stacks (green) but are one of the main drives in Steam Methane Reformers operations as well as essential to Carbon Capture units efficiencies (blue).

Appropriate selection of filtration & coalescing provides fluid treatment and purification, protection of equipment, lean maintenance and safety in process units operations and result in cost effective and predictable operations.

When do we opt for surface or depth filtration, where does filtration impact, what parameters have most influence on designs and operations, what are filtration technologies capable of, … ?

From liquid/solid, gas/liquid, gas/solid, liquid/liquid, we will review a typical flow diagram and the technologies applied at each step, with their impact on the fluid stream and the discontinuous phase, on the process equipment operations, and the challenges of maximising filtration efficiency. 

 

Optimizing NGL Liquefaction Unit Mode of Operation to Eliminate Condensate Losses

Mohammed Rumaih, Saudi Aramco

During the summer when the NGL liquefaction trains are processing more than 65% of their design gas throughput, the trains pre-conditioning system receives abnormal quantities of heavier end hydrocarbon. This result in production losses and intermittent flaring due to exceeding the condensate system design flow rates. An optimization was done to minimize the impact and increase the production during the summer.

The excess condensate is normally directed to the blowdown system resulting to production losses. Upon implementing the optimization, plant production was increased by 4000 BBL per day, consequentially increasing plant revenue by approximately $ 18 million annually. On the other hand, it eliminated the intermittent flaring of approximately 2.3 MMSCFD. 

 

Low-DP Blowback Filter for Flue Gas Contaminant Treatment

Dr Lara Heberle, Pall Corporation

Post-combustion carbon capture is the most established method of removing CO2 from flue gas streams. However, flue gases contain particulate matter which can cause significant problems for the downstream capture equipment. Contaminants that enter carbon capture systems can cause solvent degradation, fouling of process equipment such as heat exchangers, and aerosol emissions from the absorber vent. These can lead to elevated operating costs, reduced capture efficiency, and increased maintenance requirements and environmental challenges.

Contaminants can be removed by means of additional pre-treatment units such as ESPs, baghouse filters, and cyclones are often installed prior to the capture equipment. These solutions are often expensive, have a large footprint to handle the high flue gas flowrates with a minimal pressure drop, and do not always perform well at removing fine sub-micron particle contaminants.

To address these concerns, Pall Corporation has developed a low pressure drop (LDP) blowback filter system. The LDP filter system is compact, captures solid particles above 0.5µm, handles high flow rates with a pressure drop below 60 millibar, and is self-cleaning to provide a long life and continuous operation. The unique attributes of the system are enabled by a unique filter design based on a honeycomb monolith structure realized with additive manufacturing, in combination with decades of expertise in developing blowback filter systems.

This paper will review the contaminant removal requirements of carbon capture systems and the capabilities and benefits of the low pressure drop filter system, contrasting it to other filtration alternatives. The performance of the system in lab- and system-scale trials will then be discussed. The paper will conclude with a review of commercial case studies and forward-looking development.

Keywords: Filtration, separation, flue gas, carbon capture

 

The role of digitisation in delivering decarbonisation of CCUS projects

Phil Emsley, Siemens

As part of efforts to combat climate change, many countries, companies, and other organisations have committed to net zero emissions targets. Achieving these targets will require fundamental changes in the gas processing industry. With many of the transformative technologies required still in their infancy, there is a need for solutions that support a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions now. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) can help reduce emissions from today’s fossil-based processes. Moreover, CCUS is particularly relevant for high-temperature chemical processes for which there are few alternatives.

By their very nature, CCUS facilities need to be tightly integrated into other process systems. This raises questions on how best to maximise efficiency of the overall system, what impact the CCUS process has on process dynamics and control, and how best to reduce capital and operating expenditure. Questions like these require a sufficiently accurate representation of the entire process, to accurately predict plant performance, and operate closer to true limitations.

In this presentation we discuss how digital design techniques are used to map system interactions, predict process responses in highly transient scenarios, optimize equipment and system designs, and ultimately provide reassurance to all stakeholders in the CCUS chain to confidently navigate the road to decarbonization.

Dr. Hamideh Ahi
Section Title
Dr. Hamideh Ahi
Section Description
Lab Team Leader, BASF SE
Hamideh Ahi holds a PhD degree in chemical engineering. Her PhD position was a joint project of the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max-planck society and the UniCat BASF JointLab (BasCat). She joined BASF SE in 2018 as a Lab Team Leader in petrochemical catalysis research. Currently, she is working on new technologies in process catalysis with the focus on sustainability.
Nicolas Bilbault
Section Title
Nicolas Bilbault
Section Description
My name is Nicolas Bilbault and I have been working now for Kelvion Thermal Solutions for almost 30 years now.

The company strategic pillars are the Green tech for H2, CCS/CCUS, and bio fuels, the LNG sector, the High tech with Data center sector, the service and our conventional business in Oil and Gas industry.

As Vice president of Global Sales & Solutions for LNG as well as ACHE Product Line Director, I am reporting to the corporate office in Germany but based in Nantes, France. Managing the ACHE product line from a global prospective and supporting the sales of all our Heat Exchangers for the LNG industry is my daily duty. We have engineering & manufacturing capabilities in all continents. I worked in various positions in the company starting by on-site support to our customers for our product installation in my early years, through project management, sales and lately working in the holding.

Technical Poster: Improving the output from LNG trains or reducing its footprint for greenfield project, using Dual Enhanced surface tubes in non-cryogenic exchangers
Kai Binder
Section Title
Kai Binder
Section Description
Kai is a Senior Global IT Manager at BASF’s OASE® Gas Treating Excellence Team since 2019. In his role, he is involved in the development of the OASE® software solutions as well as the IT infrastructure.

Kai obtained a computer science degree from the University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg (2002). Prior to BASF, he worked as a consultant and software architect leading teams and supporting large custom software development projects for leading companies and agencies.

Technical Poster: Support of Design Engineers and Plant Operators by a Digital Platform
Frank Gänshirt
Section Title
Frank GÄNSHIRT
Section Description
Frank Gänshirt is the Regional Sales Director in charge of the DACH area at Desotec company.

Graduated Master of Business and Administration from the Massey University of Auckland, he has been developing since then globally a strong experience in the field of energy-efficient clean air solutions, in particular for HVAC and clean room applications, and dedusting units.

As purification expert for gaseous and liquid applications, he offers mobile filter solutions utilizing activated carbon grades, which are reactivable and gradually more and more renewable. This closed-loop recycling business model suits effectively to the biogas and biomethane segment, among others.

Technical Poster: Sustainable Biogas Purification via Mobile Filters Using Renewable Activated Carbon
Dr. Lara Heberle
Section Title
Dr. Lara Heberle
Section Description
Dr. Lara Heberle works at Pall Corporation, a global filtration company, as Global Technology Development Manager for the carbon capture, utilization, and storage market. Lara has spent over 10 years in R&D and strategy, in roles of increasing responsibility. She joined Pall Corporation in 2019, where she has driven multiple new product development projects. She has submitted two patents and authored multiple publications. Lara has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, with a focus on computational reactive multiphase fluid dynamics, and a B.Sc. from UBC. Prior to joining Pall, she worked as a research engineer at COANDA R&D Corporation and at the Pulp and Paper Research Center.
Charles-Elie LEFAUCHEUR
Section Title
Charles-Elie LEFAUCHEUR
Section Description
Charles-Elie Lefaucheur is the Business Development Manager in charge of the biogas and biomethane segment at Desotec company.

Graduated Doctor of Materials Science & Engineering from INP Grenoble, he has been working globally in the waste management and chemicals industries, leading business development and greenfield projects of plant set-ups.

Developing the use of mobile filter solutions utilizing activated carbon grades, renewable in a preferred way, at a pan-European level is key to him. Biogas players such as operators and EPCs are steadily looking for cost-effective and regenerative cleaning-up technologies for biogas purification, what is Desotec's core business grounded on circular economy.

Technical Poster: Sustainable Biogas Purification via Mobile Filters Using Renewable Activated Carbon
Lee Ming Yang
Section Title
Lee Ming Yang
Section Description
Lee Ming Yang is a Senior Technical Consultant at Sulzer Chemtech. He specialises in the process design and simulation of distillation and absorption columns. He is also the technical expert on the mass transfer and hydraulic behaviour of structured and random packing.

Ming Yang graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2011 with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Technical Poster: Post-Combustion Carbon Capture: from Onshore to Offshore
Ralf Notz
Section Title
Ralf Notz
Section Description
Ralf Notz is a Senior Global Technology Manager at BASF’s OASE® Gas Treating Excellence Team since 2013. In his global role, he is involved in the design and optimization of OASE® acid gas removal units as well as in the development of OASE® connect.

Ralf graduated in Chemical Engineering at the University of Stuttgart, Germany (2004). He holds a doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Stuttgart about the topic “CO2 capture from power plant flue gas by reactive absorption”.

Technical Poster: Support of Design Engineers and Plant Operators by a Digital Platform
Abbas Rajaei
Section Title
Abbas Rajaei
Section Description
Abbas Rajaei is a Chemical Engineer with over 12 years of experience in the chemical and petrochemical industry. He has collaborated with international engineers from Technip, Siemens, and Nargan on various projects. Notably, he participated in the commissioning and pre-commissioning of the world's longest Ethylene Pipeline, the WEP. Currently pursuing a Chemical and Petroleum Engineering MSc at the University of Bradford, Abbas aims to blend his industry experience with cutting-edge research to make meaningful contributions. His latest investigation involves optimizing a Back-up Condensate Stabilization Unit to reduce waste hydrocarbon production, improve product quality, and minimize hydrocarbon emissions, all while being economically and environmentally friendly.

Technical Poster: Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Environmental Impact in Back-up Condensate Stabilization
Dr Simon Saul
Section Title
Dr Simon Saul
Section Description
Dr Simon Saul is the Regional Sales Manager for gas processing in Europe & FSU at Johnson Matthey. Simon holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Manchester and is based in the Northwest of England. After completing a post-Doc in 2005, Simon began his industrial career as a Chemist at Baker Hughes with responsibility for sour gas sweetening applications in upstream oilfield operations. After developing his gas processing expertise and progressing into technical management, Simon has spent the past 16 years in commercial management and business development roles, working for several different companies serving the global Oil and Gas industry and covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-saul-22771a64/

Technical Poster: Oxygen in Post-Combustion CO2 - Efficient Removal for Transportation and Utilisation
ANDRITZ
Section Title
ANDRITZ
Saudi Aramco
BASF SE
Distran AG
Section Title
Conduct fast and reliable leak detection in your plant
Section Description
Distran specialises in ultrasound imaging cameras, used by industry professionals and inspection specialists to pinpoint leaks of any gas type in Chemistry sector since 2017. Distran cameras pinpoints ultrasound emitted by gases escaping a pressurized system (from 50 mBar of pressure difference), therefore, they detect any type of gases, at a distance, without contact. Based on the ultrasound, leak rates quantification are also calculated and displayed in real time in lithers per hour. As the Distran cameras are ATEX-certified (zone 2, incl. hydrogen), they can be operated within hazardous areas.

The Distran cameras enable plants managers to significantly improve their process' performances. Gains are to be counted in terms of reactivity during interventions and in terms of production. Our clients commend Distran cameras for:
- saving time during inspections on a daily basis
- increasing the number of leak detected, in a much easier fashion
- coordinating and scheduling maintenance operations
Parker
Pall Corporation
Siemens
Voovio

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