Process Consulting

Carmagen Engineering, Inc. provides expertise in numerous processes that are widely used in the oil & gas and related industries. We perform a wide range of value-adding activities in planning, engineering, supporting, and optimizing process facilities, and in evaluating licensed process technologies.

We have the capability and experience you need with these processes:

• Hydroprocessing
• Ultra clean fuels
• FCC pretreating
• Catalyst technology
• Other applications
• Catalytic Reforming
• Process/equipment support
• Catalyst technology
• Thermal/Catalytic Cracking (TCC/FCC)
• Process/equipment support
• Catalyst technology
• Alkylation
• Coking/Residuum Conversion
• Delayed coking
• Fluid coking
• Conversion processes
• Lubes Processing
• Solvent
• Catalytic
• Gas Treating
• Refinery applications
• Upstream applications
• Separations/Fractionation
• Sulfur Recovery
• Hydrogen Plants
• POX
• Petrochemicals (selected)

These are primary areas in which we provide process-related consulting services:

• Facilities planning studies
• Scoping/screening level
• Project level
• Engineering design
• Consulting/review scope
• Full specifications
• Fractionation/thermodynamics support
• Safety reviews
• HAZOP
• Energy utilization
• Environmental support
• Plant operations improvement
• Plant optimization evaluations
• Profitability studies
• Limited scope
• Refinery-wide
• Start-up assistance
• Process
• Non-process
• Licensing support
• Competitive technology assessment
• Business terms/agreements
• Blending automation
• Oil Loss
• Product quality

Front-end engineering studies and technology licensing support are important parts of our engineering consulting practice. The following information relates to our capabilities with particular reference to the manufacture of ultra-low-sulfur gasoline and diesel fuels. We also bring a similar approach to such studies in other process areas.

Front-End Engineering Studies

• Objective: The objective of a front-end engineering study is to help the client screen various processing options for its refinery and to select a lead project case for further engineering of facilities to make a particular product - in this case, ultra-low-sulfur gasoline and diesel fuels.
• Priority: The emphasis is on cost-effective re-use of existing equipment and on the integration of any required new equipment into the existing facility. An assessment of technology options, including in-house and third-party technologies, is made to determine the most favorable option. Three types of information are developed jointly with the client for each selected processing option:
• Product yields and qualities,
• Investment and operating costs,
• Screening economics
• Study Methodology: Our assigned engineering specialists (both low-sulfur technology and project planning specialists) hold a kick-off meeting with the client's refinery personnel. The purpose of this important meeting is to assure mutual understanding of the current operation, agree on the various process options to be screened, and develop a work plan with an anticipated study schedule.

The study builds on existing information such as past planning studies, equipment drawings, existing unit performance data, hydrogen balances, and additional information developed by us or provided by licensors of ultra-low sulfur fuels technology.

• Study Results: Upon completion of the study, the team meets with refinery management to present the results, including a recommended case and alternative cases for further engineering steps in the project. Final documentation of the study is submitted shortly thereafter, and typically includes the following items:
• Screening economics,
• Product yields and qualities,
• Investment and operating costs,
• Discussion of the assessment of technology options,
• Critical interactions with the existing refinery facilities,
• Optimization opportunities for the lead case.
• Study Cost: We work within the client's budget to provide a study scope that will give maximum results with minimum investment.

Technology Licensing Support

Technology licensing offers an effective means of gaining access to the best available technology required to meet clients' objectives. Maximization of technology licensing benefits requires an understanding of current industry conditions and regulatory climate, an in-depth familiarity with competing technology offerings, and a good working knowledge of the various contractual issues and trade-offs that are fundamental to licensing practice.

Carmagen Engineering, Inc. provides a full range of relevant expert licensing services including the following:

• Identification of preferred providers of technologies that meet the client's particular needs,
• Assistance in the preparation of a definitive technical inquiry that will lead to prompt and responsive licensing proposal(s),
• Evaluation of the business terms in licensing proposal(s),
• Advice on structuring and/or negotiating agreements for license rights, engineering services, and guarantee provisions that will secure the most favorable outcome for the client.

Our assistance in technology licensing can be provided in conjunction with front-end engineering studies for a project, or on a stand-alone basis.