Houston, Texas, USA (281) 470-2121
Serving Refineries & Petrochemical Plants Worldwide Since 1980
Projects - A chronological list of process and associated simulation jobs handled
Environmental - A list of permitting activity with State and Federal regulatory agencies
Forensic - Expert testimony and insurance claims related work
Clients - List of clients served
Photos - Of complete plants engineered by us
Patent - A page from US Patent (No. 5,191,149 - 1993) issued in 1993
In 1980, Petro’s first job was to revamp Sooner Refining Company’s Egan Refinery in Louisiana. Petro used Simsci’s “PROCESS” to simulate crude oil distillation and designed adequate overhead cooling capability. As a result of our engineering and construction the refinery was able to increase crude throughput from 7,500 BPD to 12,500 BPD.
In 1985, Petro provided complete engineering for Celeron Oil’s Jennings Ethanol Plant. Petro developed process design from scratch using Simsci’s “PROCESS” and then implemented the design into a new plant which was built in Jennings, Louisiana. This was the first complete plant engineered by Petro. The plant concentrated aqueous ethanol (12%) from corn for use as automotive fuel—gasohol. Celeron was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goodyear. Jennings, Louisiana, is 200 miles east of Houston.
In 1987, Petro under took to simulate FCCU debutanizer at a Convent, Louisiana refinery. Petro used Simsci’s “PROCESS” for the job.
In 1992, Petro developed a process to manufacture dimethyl ether for use as an aerosol propellant. We used “DESIGN II” for developing the process.
In 1993, Petro engineers completed work on developing Aerosol Propellant Technology. We were granted U.S. Patent (No. 5,191,146) for a process to refine LPG into aerosol propellants. Heat and material balance for the process was developed using ChemShare (“DESIGN II”). Using this process you can produce eco friendly, stable alkane (propane, n-butane and i-butane) propellants for personal care products like hair sprays, deodorants etc.
In 1994, Petro completed a “DESIGN II” model of carbon black manufacturing process.
In 1995, Petro engineered an Aerosol Propellant Plant, which was built in China. The process was hydro de-sulfurization followed by advanced extraction. These are disclosed in the U. S. Patent application. This was another complete plant engineered by Petro. Petro used “DESIGN II” process simulator.
In 2002, Petro was involved in a revamp at a turbo-expander plant in Cote d’Ivoire. Wet inlet gas from oil wells is cooled to cryogenic temperatures and ethane and heavier petroleum fractions are separated. Petro delivered a process design package, cost estimate and a 3-D layout of a new de-propanizer. All process work was done using “DESIGN II” simulator.
In 2003, Petro developed a simulation model of Wet Gas Recycle Process to produce formaldehyde from methanol. Petro is now ready to provide complete design of formaldehyde plants. “DESIGN II” was the process simulator.
Petro has ready designs to manufacture hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, ethyl mercaptan. Simulation models are ready in “DESIGN II”.
In 2004 Petro addressed flow assurance issues of about twenty five Zafiro offshore wells in Equatorial Guinea. Petro performed hydraulic analysis of multiphase flow using Invensys’ PIPEPHASE.
In 2005, Petro developed a system and a process for the reduction of NOx from furnaces.
We continue of find opportunities in separation using distillation. We will obtain vapor—liquid equilibrium data from published sources (or the client). Then regress this data into an Equation of State (NRTL, Wilson etc.) using “DESIGN II” (ChemShare) and finally use “DESIGN II” to design a complete distillation plant.
In 2006, Petro were retained by the law firm Abrams, Scott & Bickley (Houston) to assist in litigation on a turboexpander plant built in Geismar, Louisiana.
In 2007, Petro developed an engineering design to concentrate ethanol for a plant which was to be built in Fairmont, Minnesota. We performed process simulation using “DESIGN II”, developed 3-D layout using CadWORX.
In 2007, Petro studied Marathon Oil’s Oletha Field in Texas and developed a PIPESIM model for flow assurance analysis.
In 2007 Petro analyzed an evaporator for concentrating glycol, which is used for deicing aeroplanes. All work was done using DESIGN II.
In 2009 Petro developed a process to manufacture tetra methyl ammonium chloride.
In 2009 Petro developed a process model for CO2 capture and concentration from combustion devices. All work was done using DESIGN II
In 2010 Petro performed an analysis of a facility that produces yeast, a residue from the fermentation process.
In 2010 Petro generated a FEED II (Front End Engineering and Design) package for a major oil company. We generated ten P & IDs, specification sheets for pumps, compressors, instrument index, a one line power diagram and a 3-D model of a conceptual plant.
In 2011 Petro studied an ammonia refrigeration system to increase the capacity of CO2 concentration system.
In 2011 Petro provided engineering support for gas processing and an Amine Unit for increasing ethane recovery in a turbo-expander plant. We generated 3-D model using AutoCAD 2012 Plant Suite.
In 2012 Petro studied concentration of aqueous bromine mixtures.
In 2012 Petro provided assistance to generating power in Iraq and natural gas sweetening.
In 2012 Petro studied dilute phase conveying of carbon black. A hydraulic model of the system was based on Winsim simulation.
In 2013 Petro was involved in analysis of a crude oil production facility in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq.
In 2014 we assisted a midstream petroleum in Dallas, TX company with hydraulic analysis of crude pipeline.
In 2014 Petro studied debottlenecking a distillation system near Dallas, TX
In 2014 we have just embarked on a new project – ZIM Project.
Petro recognizes that our clients’ need for environmental guidance and consultation services are frequently unscheduled, unbudgeted and last minute surprises.
Petro will coordinate periodic testing services to meet permit requirements. We will review records and consult on environmental control system performance and operating procedures.
Petro will respond to specific situations and assist in problem definition, identifying corrective alternatives and recommending a course of action to pursue. Sometimes, situations under study may be an unanticipated problem caused by manufacturing process change, control system malfunction oversight in a regulation requirement or a misguided public or government opinion.
We have prepared air permitting applications for clients in Louisiana and Texas. We have also completed air emissions inventory for large and complex chemical plants:
Mobil Oil, Chalmette Refinery, Chalmette, Louisiana
Murphy Oil, Meraux Refinery, Meraux, Louisiana
Quantum Chemical, Deer Park, Texas
We have prepared waste water permitting applications for clients in Louisiana and Texas. Petro has prepared NPDES Permit Applications for:
Sooner Refining Co., Egan, Louisiana
Ingleside Properties, Ingleside, Texas
Celeron Oil, Jennings, Louisiana
Calgon Corp., Pasadena, Texas
We developed a conceptual design to recover acrylonitrile from a wastewater stream at a chemical plant near Bay Minnette, Mississippi. The evaluation considered various processing conditions at the plant.
We were retained to study high BOD/COD levels in wastewater at a chemical manufacturing plant located forty miles north of Mobile, on Highway 43 in 1988. Constituents of concern were alcohols, ketones and oil & grease. Petro studied the process and recommended changes to process to avoid contamination.
In compliance to 40 CFR Part II2 Petro has prepared and certified SPCC for refineries and chemical plants in Louisiana and Texas. Representative clients for whom Petro has prepared SPCC are:
Mt. Airy Refining Co., Mt. Airy, Louisiana
Sooner Refining Co., Egan, Louisiana
Ingleside Properties, Ingleside, Texas
Celeron Oil Co., Jennings, Louisiana
Kaneka, Pasadena, Texas
SQM, Bayport, Pasadena, Texas
We have provided consultation to law firms on litigation support and have testified as Expert Witness on chemical processing, petrochemical manufacture and related cases.
Our service includes studying of technical documents, performing computerized process simulation and reviewing documents. We will explain technical jargon in plain language to lawyers and company executives. We have gained knowledge of engineering work flow of major projects in chemical manufacturing plants and petroleum processing facilities. We will spot weak assumptions and inadequate work. We will point out favorable (and unfavorable) facts. If necessary, we will develop scientific testing, initiate additional laboratory analyses to shed more light on the pleadings and presented documents.
Recent forensic work includes:
Cause No. 2001-48088; Gulsby—Bay Partners v. Gulf Liquids New River Project LLC in the 215th Judicial Court of Harris County, Texas (2006).
Case No. 04-Cl-01449; Process Construction v. Kenton County Air Board & URS; Commonwealth of Kentucky, Boone County Court (9546-1). Engineering of distillation system. (2006—2008)
American Arbitration Association; Lurgi, Inc. v. Thermal Kinetics Systems, LLC, Case No. 30 154 Y 00454 08. (2009)
1980 Vulcan Materials Co., Geismar, Louisiana
1980 Mt. Airy Refining Company, Mt. Airy, Louisiana
1981 Witco Chemical Co., Taft, Louisiana
1981 Occidental Chemical Co., Hahnville, Louisiana
1981 Sooner Refining Co., Egan, Louisiana
1981 T & S Refining Co., Mermentau, Louisiana
1983 South Louisiana Production Co., Mermentau,
1985 Marathon Oil Co., Garyville, Louisiana
1985 Great Lakes Chemical Co., El Dorado, Arkansas
1985 Celeron Oil & Gas (Goodyear), Jennings,
1986 Tenneco, Chalmette, Louisiana
1987 Murphy Oil Co., Meraux, Louisiana
1987 Grant chemical Co., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
1987 Texaco (Star Enterprise), Convent, Louisiana
1988 Ciba Geigy, Mc Intosh, Alabama
1988 American Cyanamid, Fortier, Louisiana
1989 Union Carbide, Greensburg, Louisiana
1990 Quantum Chemical Co., Deer Park, Texas
1990 Lyondell Polymers, Pasadena, Texas
1992 Liquid Air, Pasadena, Texas
1992 Pennwalt, Houston, Texas
1993 Elf Atochem, Houston, Texas
1994 Zeon Chemical Co., Hattiesburg, Mississippi
1995 Greenwich Distillers, London, England
1995 Diversified CPC, Chicago, Illinois
1997 Bahamas Refining Co., Freeport, Bahamas
1997 Huntsman Labs., Austin, Texas
1998 Goodyear Tire, Pasadena, Texas
1999 Gulf Chemical Co., Freeport, Texas
1999 Calgon, Pasadena, Texas
2000 Natural Gas Odorizing, Baytown, Texas
2000 General Electric, Houston, Texas
2000 Albis GmBH, Germany
2001 Borden Chemical Co., Baytown, Texas
2001 Continental Airlines, Houston, Texas
2002 Duke Energy Field Services, Gruver, Texas
2002 Goodyear Tire, Pasadena, Texas
2002 Enjet, Houston, Texas
2003 Ocean Energy, Houston, Texas
2003 Evalca, Pasadena, Texas
2003 Devon Energy, Houston, Texas
2004 El Dorado Chemical Co., El Dorado, Arkansas
2004 Engelhard, Pasadena, Texas
2005 South Hampton Refining Co., Silsbee, Texas
2005 Ajay S. Q. M., Chile, South America
2005 Westlake Petrochemicals, Westlake, Louisiana
2006 Williams Co., Tulsa, Oklahoma
2007 Abrams Scott & Bickley, Houston, Texas
2007 Roehrs Industries, Fairmont, Minnesota
2008 Mark West Energy, Houston, Texas
2008 SACHEM, Austin, Texas
2009 Jaeckle Fleishmann & Mugel, Buffalo, NY
2009 Manier & Harod, Nashville, TN
2010 Lion GPL, Cote d’Ivoire
2010 Cognis (BASF), Pasadena, TX
2011 Air Liquide, Houston, TX
2011 Targa Resources, Houston, TX
2011 Devon Energy, Oklahoma, OK
2012 Orion Engineered Carbons, Houston, TX
2013 AKZO, Ft. Worth, TX
2013 Afren, Iraq
2014 Eurecat, Pasadena, TX
2014 Texas Ingredients Corp.,Ft. Worth, TX
2014 ZIM Project, South America
Celeron Oil & Gas's Ethanol Plant
Jennings, Louisiana, U.S.A.
1985
Petro provided process design, detailled engineering, project management and start-up services for this grass-root plant.
Diversified CPC's Aerosol Plant (Hydrodesulfurization)
Pudong, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
1995
Petro provided process simulation, process design, PFD's, P&IDs and general arrangement. We handled purchasing of all major equipment.
A US Patent issued to us on "Method of Refining Liquified Petroleum Gases in Aerosol Propellants.
Waste Heat Recovery Job
Economizer
16 MM BTU/Hr Crude Heater
1981
Upstream Asset
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