Download RAS-8091-Project_proposal_for_2003-2004

PROJECT PROPOSAL 2003-2004
(RAS/8/091)
1. Title:
Process Diagnostics and Optimization in
petrochemical Industry
2. Project Description:
a) Specific problem to be addressed:
Petroleum and petrochemical industries are fast modernizing in the Region. Many new petrochemical complexes are being
established. The need of the hour is troubleshooting in existing plants and deciding on the optimum parameters for the
new plants. The modern industry is sufficiently aware of the role isotope techniques can play in meeting the above needs
and indigenous availability of such technology can go a long way in helping the industry. Radioisotope techniques include
NDT, tracer technology and sealed source applications. It is well recognized that a synergistic application of all these
methods is the best way to provide the right answer for troubleshooting as well as for optimization of the process
parameters.
The project aims to provide an integrated indigenous capability in isotope techniques in each of the participating RCA
countries for troubleshooting and optimization of process parameters in petroleum and petrochemical industries.
The proposed project is related to promotion and applications of radioisotope technology for troubleshooting and process
optimization in industry. Most commonly encountered problems in industry are leak detection, malfunctioning of the
process vessels and columns. The proposed project mainly addresses the application of radiotracer and sealed sources for
problem solving in oil, petroleum, and petrochemical and chemical process industries.
Relevant target areas for radioisotope applications in RCA developing countries are already defined. Though the
technology is applicable across a broad industrial spectrum, the petroleum industry, petrochemical and chemical process
industries, sectors are identified as the most appropriate target beneficiaries of radioisotope applications within RCA
Region: these industries are widespread internationally and are of considerable economic and environmental importance.
b) Nature, magnitude, causes and effects of the problems
Radioisotopes continue to play an important role for better management of natural resources, industrial growth and
environmental preservation. Considerable progress has already been made in promoting the industrial applications of
radiotracers, sealed sources and nucleonic gauges in RCA developing countries. Looking into trends in industrialization of
RCA developing countries there is evidence that the radioisotope technology will continue to play an important role in
industry for many years to come. The economic benefits of the technology have been amply demonstrated. There is now a
need to consolidate, refine and systematize existing know-how, and to extend further the capabilities of the technology
through on-job demonstrations for problem solving and case studies, and to develop the quality control of data and results.
c) End users
The major end users’ problems in RCA developing countries are inspection and troubleshooting detection of columns,
reaction vessels and pipes in petroleum refineries and other chemical process industries.
d) Regional approach to the problem identified
The appropriate way to develop further radioisotope technology is through regional co-operation. The existing regional
projects RCA played an important role to develop the personnel expertise and skills of national tracer and sealed sources
groups. Viable tracer groups are well established in RCA developing countries. Regional resource units could be created in
these RCA developing countries to accelerate technical co-operation among the developing countries.
e) Technical justification including objectives, methods proposed for solving the problem
The competition with alternative methods shows that radioisotope techniques have survived and prospered in the past
because of their superiority in certain areas to competitive methods, or in many cases to solve a problem where there were
no alternative methods.
The general objective of this project proposal is to upgrade the capability of radiotracer and sealed source groups in RCA
developing countries, to consolidate and systemize existing know-how, and to extend further the potential of the
radioisotope technology using new techniques and applications which are beneficial for problem solving in industrial
processes.
The objective for the cycle 2003-2004 is the following:
To maximize the radioisotope technology transfer to end users, to implement and sustain the commercial routine
application of radiotracers for problem solving of technology in priority industrial sectors: in petroleum industry and
chemical process industry increasing the productivity and reducing the environmental impact.
f) Results expected
The following outputs are expected to be achieved:
Outputs :
The expected results from the project will be ;

Setting up in-house tracer groups in two different petroleum refining and process equipment manufacturing
public sector companies.

Establishing links with academic institutions involved in research on design of different process vessels

Widening the applications of radioisotopes in industry by three folds in the next five years

The results of the applications will lead to optimise the design of various process systems at design stage and
improvement in process efficiency of full scale industrial systems.

the end users’ industrialists will be informed on the technology, through:
i.
Regional workshops and Expert group meetings,
ii.
Expert missions and fellowships.
iii.
Regional/ National Executive management seminars to promote the adoption
of the technology by industry.
iv.
Supply of equipment.
The technical, social and economic benefits from the routine applications of radioisotopes in industry and environment are
known as relevant due to the process optimization, saving in raw materials, energy and reducing of industrial pollution.
g) Project duration
The project long-term objectives could be meet in five-year time, but the short and medium term objectives can be met for
two years duration 2003-2004
The main phase of implementation of the project is 2003-2004. The further implementation of some techniques for routine
applications should continue beyond 2004.
h) Estimated budget of the project
States participating in RCA programme must contribute to the implementation of the project to the maximum extent
possible, given that RCA's main objective is not to set up an infrastructure in the participating States, but to enable them to
share their facilities and the know-how existing in the region. Their contribution may be in local currency or in kind and
may be in the form of logistical support for the activities being carried out in their respective countries, the provision of
cost-free experts and standard equipment. The radioisotope provision or sample irradiation in nuclear reactors should be
promoted considering the lack of irradiation facilities for radioisotope production in some RCA countries.
The Agency will support to the extent possible the project by means of organization of training courses, of expert missions
for on job demonstrations and problem solving, of guidebooks and software, and of provision of some components and
spare parts and some standard data loggers and simple devices.
i)
Relation with ongoing projects
- NEW PROJECT-
3. Proposed work plan and schedule of major project activities
for the first two years.
3.1 Preparation of regional standards for assessment and certification of competency in the
application of radioisotopic techniques for:
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Column scanning
Blockage detection
Detections of leaks
3.2 Transfer of knowledge and extension of industrial use of radiotracers applications for:

Routine services for troubleshooting and process optimisation in petrochemical, and petroleum refining industries .

Modeling of hydrodynamic behaviour of different process vessels like Fluid Catalyst Cracking
Units (FCCU), of trickle bed reactors at high pressure, Design optimization of vacuum pan
crystallizers in sugar industries etc.
Leak Detection industrial systems.
Vadidation of CFD models using RTD data.
Use of TLA techniques for corrosion monitoring.
Blockage location techniques.
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3.3 Transfer of knowledge and extension of industrial use of sealed radioisotopic sources for:
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Automated systems for gamma scanning for columns.
Gamma scanning of large diameter columns [up to 10 meters ] using 3 – 4 detectors and high intensity sources.
Detection of corrosion in heat exchanger tubes using miniature detector and Am-241 gamma source.
On - line thickness monitoring of pipelines with / without insulation using Ir - 192 source.
Evaluation of computed tomographic imaging systems for industrial process columns to determine liquid/vapour
phases at given locations.
Determination of flow velocity of liquids in oil/water/gas mixture by dual energy gamma transmission techniques.
Gap meter gauge utilising low activity 252Cf neutron source in backscatter geometry for inspection of the gap between
the foundation and the bottom plate of oil-storage tanks in petroleum industry is very useful tool and needs to be
popularised.
Evaluation of neutron backscattering techniques for interface and level location .
Tracers in oil field investigations.
Summary of Activities
Year/month
2003
Jan - Dec
Jan - Dec
Jan - Dec
May
October
November
2004
Jan - Dec
Jan - Dec
Jan - Dec
April
July
November
Activities
Budget
Expert assignments, 3mm
Fellowships, 6mm
Supply of equipment (to be specified)
$45,000
$20,000
$35,000
RW on Applications of tracers in oilfields, 1 weeks in CPR
EGM on Quality assurance and accreditation on gamma scanning, leak
detection and blockage location, 1 week in MAL
RW on Process diagnostics using radioisotope techniques in
petroleum/chemical industries, 2 weeks, IND
$25,000
$25,000
Expert assignments, 3mm
Fellowships, 6mm
Supply of equipment to be specified
RW on Process optimisation using tracers in petroleum/chemical industries, 2
weeks, KOR
EGM on Quality assurance and accreditation on gamma scanning, leak
detection and blockage location, 1 week, VIE
EGM and PCM on Advances in Radioisotopes techniques in Petroleum
Industry, 1 week in IND
$45,000
$20,000
$30,000
$35,000
$35,000
$25,000
$35,000
4. The national plan of activities
a) National seminars and on job demonstration for problem solving
For promotion of radioisotope technologies, one national seminar should be executed in each RCA developing countries
for end users.

One full scale demonstration of gamma and neutron backscatter column scanning techniques should be
demonstrated in each country.

One full scale demonstration of tracers in oil field should be carried out in a few countries.
b) Expert missions:
RCA 2003-2004, Expert missions
(To be decided after consultations between MSS)
5. List of RCA Member States
The RCA Member States that have indicated their intention to participate in the project are the following:
Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, SriLanka, Thailand,
Vietnam
6. National infrastructure
Within the RCA Region the following is the status of radiotracers and sealed sources applications in industry:

countries, such as China, India, Malaysia, where radioisotope technology has been exploited satisfactorily;

countries, such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam where
some progress has been done;

countries, such as Mongolia and Myanmar now commencing to make use of this technology.
11 out of 13 RCA developing countries have the infrastructure and capabilities, which are available for the activities
proposed to be implemented in this project. Mongolia and Myanmar have not facilities, manpower and financial resources
available to participate in this project. Some techniques can be implemented in these countries as well through on job
demonstration, provision of simple detection systems and regional training events.
7. In -kind contribution
For demonstration workshop, availability of cost free lecturers, internal travel and local logistics.
8. Description of inputs sought from the Agency
The inputs sought from the Agency are:

Regional events: 180,000 USD

Expert missions 6 m/m and fellowships 12m/m =130,000 USD

Equipment provision = 65, 000 USD
Total: 375, 000 USD
Order of priority: Regional Events
Expert Missions
Equipment
Fellowships
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