PTQ Q2 2026 Issue

Q2 (Apr, May, Jun) 2026 www.digitalrefining.com ptq PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY QUARTERLY

5 The challenges of AI deployment Rene Gonzalez

7 ptq&a

13 Open process automation: software-driven control is gaining momentum Vien Nguyen Yokogawa

19 Risk-based integrity approach to vessel life extension Hayden Hill Integrated Global Services

27 Breaking iron barrier when processing heavy/unconventional FCC feedstocks Scott Barton, Deependra Parmar, Eswar Iyyamperumal, and Manuela Beatriz-Barreto Ketjen Corporation 35 Clean-up of fixed-bed reactor naphtha feed streams: Part 2 Chi-Yao Chen, Mark Zih-Yao Shen, Tzong-Bin Lin, Fu-Ming Lee, Maw-Tien Lee, Yin- Hsien Chen, Kao-Chih Ricky Hsu, Fang-Pin Chen Shin Chuang Technology Co. Ltd Kevin Gagen Unicat Catalyst Technologies, LLC 41 Avoid poisoning in hydroprocessing operations Xavier E. Ruiz Maldonado and Mohamed Khalil Topsoe North America Christian Frederik Weise Topsoe R&D 47 Cracking the code: FCC turnaround lifecycle best practices: Part 1 Ben Ellebrecht Phillips 66 Wood River

Nate Hager Cenovus Lima Herbert Telidetzki Becht

53 Next-gen digital twins: automating model lifecycle management Soni Malik and Michelle Wicmandy KBC (A Yokogawa Company) 59 Central role of diagnostics in distillation energy transition: Part 2 Henry Z. Kister Fluor Corp. Norman P. Lieberman Process Improvement Engineering

65 Innovative grassroots CDU-VDU configuration Ramanayya Gorle, Grandhi Srivardhan, Narendra Kumar Paladugu, and Anil Kumar Engineers India Ltd

73 Design and operation of salt dryer for ULSD: Part 1 Prabhas K Mandal and Rajib Talukder Aramco

79 Optimisation of stabiliser column operation at low pressure Mohammad Sirajuddin, SK Shabina, Rajasekhar Varchasvi, Manoj Kumar Bhuyan, S Saravanan, and Indranil Roy Choudhury Research & Development Centre, Indian Oil Corporation Limited Srajan Gupta and Bandish Soni Mathura Refinery, Indian Oil Corporation limited

85 Refinery SMR reactor optimisation Nabeel Ataimisch ZCT Solutions GmbH

Cover Delivering long-term asset integrity in critical process vessels

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