How Big Data Analytics is Used in Oil and Gas Refineries

 Big data analytics is transforming the oil and gas refinery industry. Oil and gas refineries generate large amounts of data that include equipment insights, maintenance reports, performance measurements, and more. Those monumental volumes of data must be processed and analyzed in order to deliver value. While refineries have been using organizational and analytical tools for a very long time, big data oil and gas offers innovative solutions that can make the industry more efficient and profitable. In light of volatile changes in supply and demand, oil and gas big data analytics can help companies improve their operations and sustain a competitive advantage. For refineries, big data analytics can enhance and improve the process control systems, manufacturing processes, emergency shutdown systems, equipment interfaces, laboratory information system, online analyzers, asset management systems, and more.

The biggest challenge in air flow monitoring applications are obstructions causing turbulent or irregular airflow profiles in the desired straight run section. Most air flow measuring devices are adversely affected by an underdeveloped flow profile. Ideally, more straight run is added in to the length of duct or pipe where an air flow measurement device is needed to achieve the best accuracy.

In chemistry, chromatography is a laboratory technique for separating a mixture into its constituents, either for analysis or preparative purification. During the mobile phase, the compound is dissolved in a gas. The solvent transports the mixture through a system and onto a material referred to as the stationary phase. The components of the mixture move between the mobile and stationary phases at different velocities, and this causes the components to separate.

Data acquisition (DAQ) is the process of creating digital numeric values from real world sampling signals. In DAQ, physical conditions are converted into data that can be manipulated by a computer. DAQ solutions are comprised of a sensor, a signal conditioner, and an analog-to-digital converter. Sensors, often referred to as transducers, collect real-world information like temperature, pressure, flow, level, acceleration, pH, humidity, movement, force and more. A signal conditioner is responsible for executing actions on the signal to prepare it for the converter. The analog-to-digital converter renders the information useful by a computer. The DAQ process is often used for complex experiments and requires sophisticated software solutions.

If you work in the natural gas industry or are an industrial user of natural gas, water dewpoint is not only a quality measurement but also a big concern. Water condensate presents serious challenges and issues for your process. It is highly corrosive and will form hydrates, which are ice-like solid molecules that can block the flow of gas in pipelines. In cold weather, it will also freeze reducing the pipe pressure.

Ski resorts in North America depend on snowfall for enthusiasts to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. However, when nature does not cooperate, artificial snow is required to maintain the base level. Artificial snow consists of small particles of ice that are used to increase the snowpack. It is produced by a machine that uses a high-pressure pump to spray a mist of water into the cold air. The water droplets crystallize to form artificial snow.

Pressure transducers measure pressure in response to changes at the source that cause the sensing element, also known as a diaphragm, to flex. The alterations to the diaphragm are recorded as measurements that are translated into signals. The signals travel on the transduction element and synchronize to provide instructions for the control system. There are many types of pressure transducers that can be customized to fit a multitude of environments. 

Plant managers are continuous on the lookout for ways to improve the productivity and efficiency of plant processes. There is a growing need for solutions that simplify the collection of data from equipment. Yokogawa realized this demand in the process industry. Hence in 2019, the Sushi Sensor – a compact, wireless sensor for measuring vibration and temperature – was launched. This smart sensor is also optimized for Industrial IoT applications (IIoT). But what makes the Sushi Sensor special? For which assets are they applicable to and how does it realize preventive maintenance? In this blog, we’re going to answer 7 frequently asked questions about the Sushi Sensor.

A pressure transducer is a device that generates a signal in response to a pressure measurement of a liquid or gas. In this context, pressure is defined as the force per unit area that is required to maintain a substance’s density, level, flow, speed, or altitude. The technology, configuration, application, performance specifications of pressure transducers can vary widely. 

A pressure transmitter is a device that creates a signal according to a pressure measurement of a liquid, vapor, or gas. Changes at the pressure source cause the diaphragm, or sensing element, to flex. The changes in the diaphragm are recorded as measurements. Measurements collected from the diaphragm response are translated into signals that travel on the transduction element to provide instructions to the control system. The control system sends instructions to maintain the preset density, level, flow, speed, or altitude. The technology, configuration, application, performance specifications of pressure transducers can vary widely.