This session will share lessons learned from a high complexity turnaround that had a large scale debottleneck project integrated into the turnaround scope. We will review key successes and opportunities to understand what this team would repeat or change for future events.
Moderators:
Andrew Jakubowski, Flint Hills Resources, LLC
Jimmy Mendler, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
Speaker:
Sarah Earl, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
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
In this session we will discuss symptoms, causes, and consequences of an Acid Runaway in an Alkylation Unit and how to recognize and respond to an acid runaway. This track will also discuss lessons learned from acid runaway incidents across the industry.
Participants will: Gain an understanding of what’s an acid runaway, Develop acid runaway monitoring parameters, Develop acid runaway response guidance.
Fired Heater Flooding incidents continue to occur. Flooding is a term used to indicate operation of a fuel rich condition, resulting in unburned fuel or combustibles in the firebox and/or flue gas. This presentation will touch on causes, indications and provide response examples and possible prevention of fired heater flooding operation.
Moderator:
Sam Lordo, Becht
Speakers:
Jose Corcega, John Zink
Bill Weimer, John Zink
In this session, we will present a case study on wash water reliability, examining the critical role a well-designed water wash plays in maintaining the mechanical integrity of a system. We will also discuss lessons learned from investigations into excessive accelerated corrosion in an overhead system.
Check out the 2024 Summit Session Inspection and Reliability of Wash Water Systems https://safetyportal.afpm.org/
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.