Title : The role of electrical/instrument maintenance in enhancing catalyst reactor efficiency in oil refineries
Abstract:
In catalyst-driven refinery processes, electrical and instrumentation (E&I) systems serve as the backbone for maintaining the precise operating conditions required for catalytic efficiency. This paper investigates how strong electrical and instrument maintenance practices contribute directly to the stable operation of catalytic reactors such as reformers, sulfur recovery and hydrotreaters. These systems ensure the accuracy of controlling variables such as temperature, pressure, flow, and level factors that directly affect catalytic activity and reactor stability. This paper outlines strategies that improve process reliability, minimize catalyst degradation, and prevent costly shutdowns. These strategies are done by implementing comprehensive strategies in preventive maintenance (PM), corrective maintenance (CM), and condition-based monitoring of key equipment such as motors, analyzers, transmitters, heaters, and control systems, refineries can significantly reduce the risk of catalyst deactivation, process upsets, and unplanned shutdowns. The study demonstrates that optimizing E&I reliability plays a critical role in increasing catalyst life, upgrading efficiency, and operational safety in modern oil refineries.
