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The initial surge in electric vehicle (EV) adoption has plateaued due to pricing, tax incentive uncertainty, challenges with charging infrastructure, repair costs, and range limitations. Sales of hybrid vehicles (HVs) have recently increased. HVs provide consumers with a choice that balances the efficiency of EVs with the performance of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Consumers will inevitably compare all powertrain technologies to ICE vehicles regarding affordability, reliability, and performance. Recent policy changes have shifted the market toward cautious mainstream consumers. As technology and regulations evolve, consumer decisions will continue to be influenced by cost, reliability, performance, and environmental impact. In this session, an industry expert will present data and insights on current and future decisions.

Moderator:
Matt Goodman, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speaker:
John Howard, Experian Automotive

Fouling of Naphtha Hydrotreating Reactors can cause limitations to operation and planned cycle length. This session will present three technologies to effectively mitigate this fouling to hit the cycle:

• Catching Scale: Haldor Topsoe and Marathon Petroleum step up to the plate


• HeavyTrap: A Top Bed Double Play


• Axens' HyRing: A Grand Slam in Pressure Drop Mitigation

Moderator:
Rhett Finch, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speakers:
Nandita Akunuri, Axens North America
Amanda Cavazos, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Rhett Finch, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Leslie Johnson, Crystaphase

Today’s refiners are looking for newer technologies to product better quality alkylate. This session will review innovative processes, including:

• The K-SAAT® process, which produces higher quality alkylate using an engineered non-corrosive solid-acid catalyst. The K-SAAT® process eliminates the need for liquid acid catalyst, and is an ideal low cost solution for refiners looking to upgrade their existing Alkylation process. Participants will gain an understanding of how refiners can revamp an existing Alkylation unit to produce better quality alkylate through case studies that illustrate examples of such a conversion and the benefits achieved.


• The ISOALKY™ Technology, commercialized by Chevron and UOP, which offers benefits (product quality and yields) and economics compared to traditional alkylation technologies. The ISOALKY™ Catalyst is a non-volatile ionic liquid that does not require offsite regeneration. ISOALKY™ Technology can be used for green field plants or retrofit/expansion of existing alkylation units. The first commercial ISOALKY™ Unit has been successfully operating at the Chevron Salt Lake Refinery since January 2021, and the first unit turnaround was completed in October 2024. Participants will gain information on the ISOALKY™ Technology as well as the commercial operation, including turnaround learnings.

Moderator:
Liana Siegel, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speakers:
Bhavdip Kalaria, KBR
Jon Keuler, Honeywell UOP
Mark Rasmussen, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

What is basic process control?
How is it done? Why is it important for the refinery engineer to be familiar with the basics?

In this foundational session, the discussion will focus on the workings of everyday loops and instrumentation that a refinery engineer is likely to encounter.

Moderator:
Sriram Ramaganesan, Phillips 66

Speakers:
Joe Boyce, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Scott Flanagan, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Tim Olsen, Emerson Automation Solutions

This session will introduce an integral part of maintenance and reliability engineers’ responsibilities to capital projects. How this relationship and communication is important to get safe, reliable, and maintainable equipment installed when working with a capital project team.

Participants will learn:

• What a project life cycle is


• What influences cost the most, and


• Industry standards for analysis

Moderator:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66

Speaker:
Dean Roberts, Ergon Refining, Inc.

Canadian Refiner replaced the Shake Test with on-line UOP Mercaptide Sensors to monitor the extent of Merox caustic regeneration. Mercaptide Sensor use resulted in continuously trended data, reduced caustic exposure, and proactive process variable optimization, while vastly reducing off specification incidences and unnecessary bulk caustic replacements.

Moderator:
Nik Larsen, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Speaker:
Jessy Trucko, Honeywell UOP

Units in the refinery are interconnected and operational changes to an upstream often create challenges for downstream units. We will review how normal and abnormal FCC operations impact Alky feeds. We will also discuss Alky feed specifications and the impact to acid consumption and alkylate quality.

Moderator:
Tyner Devine, Flint Hills Resources, LLC

Speakers:
Javier Rios, Honeywell UOP
Liana Siegel, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

This session covers the complete spectrum of process optimization methods at a refinery or petrochemical plant. From models predictive control to real time optimization via process models and onto machine learning methods via neural networks. The attendee will gain an understanding of when to apply these methods in practice and the organizational support needed to succeed long term.

Moderator:
Patrick Robinson, PBF Energy Inc.

Speakers:
GT McDaniel, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Chuck Johnston, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Sriram Ramaganesan, Phillips 66
Abhay Singh, Motiva Enterprises LLC

The intersection of refining and petrochemical manufacturing has never been more significant as industries navigate the dual challenges of efficiency and sustainability. This session will explore the critical role of Perchloroethylene (PERC) in modern refining processes while also highlighting its applications in petrochemical production.

PERC is recognized as one of the safest catalyst activators during normal operations, as well as a regenerator for spent catalysts. Utilizing less efficient materials can necessitate larger quantities of hazardous substances being kept onsite, thus increasing exposure risks. Other chlorinating agents are either restricted by the EPA or are inherently more hazardous, making PERC a preferable option.

Attendees will gain insights into how PERC enhances refining technologies through processes such as isomerization and catalytic reforming, which help ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Industry experts will discuss the extensive benefits of utilizing PERC, emphasizing innovations that contribute to both safety and operational efficiency.

Moreover, we will review advancements in safety protocols that facilitate the effective handling of PERC, ensuring minimal exposure and adherence to rigorous regulatory standards. By fostering dialogue among leaders in refining and petrochemical manufacturing, this session aims to identify collective strategies for driving innovation and achieving sustainability goals within the industry.

Moderator:
Alex Kniuksta, Honeywell UOP

Speaker:
Scott Wozniak, Honeywell UOP