The Journey: Transforming Reliability Outcomes Through Technology and Maintenance Practices
Lessons Learned, Maintenance
In an era of rapid technological advancement, achieving positive reliability outcomes requires a strategic blend of innovation and foundational maintenance practices. This presentation explores how organizations can harness emerging technologies to enhance awareness and enable early anomaly detection. By integrating data-driven insights with proven maintenance strategies, companies can improve operational reliability and efficiency. Through an open discussion, we will explore the real-world challenges and opportunities that arise when merging traditional maintenance with cutting-edge technology.
The session is designed as an introductory-level discussion that highlights the value of combining traditional hands-on maintenance practices with modern monitoring tools to support a more comprehensive and reliable approach to decision-making. Together we aim to uncover practical strategies for building a resilient, future-ready maintenance culture. Participants will be encouraged to share experiences and insights on navigating common pitfalls—such as over-reliance on digital tools, integration complexities, and maintaining a balance between automation and human expertise.
Moderator:
Dean Roberts, Ergon Refining, Inc.
Speakers:
Jaxson O'Brien, CHS Inc.
Mark Sannes, Flint Hills Resources, LLC
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Beyond Wet Cooling Towers: Geothermal Strategies to Improve Refinery Efficiency
101 Series, Sustainability
Refineries face critical challenges in heat management and water conservation, with aging infrastructure and increasing regulatory pressures. Traditional wet cooling towers are becoming increasingly unsustainable, presenting an urgent need for innovative cooling solutions. This presentation explores geothermal technologies as a transformative approach to addressing refineries' cooling and energy efficiency challenges. Modern refineries typically operate with billion BTUs of excess heat, representing a significant opportunity for energy optimization. Geothermal cooling strategies offer multiple benefits, including substantial water savings, reduced energy consumption, and potential for waste heat monetization. By leveraging absorption chillers, thermal energy networks, and advanced heat exchange technologies, refineries can unlock new economic and environmental efficiencies.
Key discussion points will include:
- Quantifying waste heat potential in refinery operations
- Geothermal cooling technologies for process units
- Water scarcity mitigation strategies
- Economic benefits of thermal energy network implementation
- Case studies demonstrating successful heat management interventions
- This presentation provides process engineers and executive leadership a comprehensive overview of geothermal cooling's potential to revolutionize refinery thermal management, offering a pragmatic pathway to improved operational sustainability.
Moderator:
Alex Bruns, Nalco Water
Presenter:
Jay Egg, Egg Geo LLC
Mimi Egg, Egg Geo LLC
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Breakfast in the HUB
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