Emerson Process Management, experts in valve automation solutions, is providing process automation technologies and services to help BP further enhance the safety, reliability, and performance of its Whiting refinery in Northwest Indiana, without the costly downtime often required for such projects.
The project to upgrade the process control system of two fluid catalytic cracking units is part of a strategic BP-Emerson automation upgrade program. It follows BP’s earlier multi-billion-dollar Whiting Refinery Modernization Project, which was one of the largest investments in BP history. Emerson also provided process automation for that massive upgrade, which helped BP boost its heavy-crude capacity more than four-fold.
The Whiting refinery is BP’s largest and a major supplier to the Midwest and other parts of the United States. One of the key benefits that Emerson brings is its experience managing “hot cutover” projects – upgrading units while the operation continues running, which helps BP maintain a secure supply of fuel for its customers. Catalytic crackers are primarily used to produce high octane gasoline in the refining process.