On 20th February 2025, the newly established Wales and South-West of England regional branch held its inaugural event in Pembroke, marking a significant milestone in bringing together professionals from across the region. The event, hosted at Insite Technical Services, was a collaborative effort with the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and featured insightful presentations from experts in the field.
The first presentation was delivered by Adeeba Zachary and Sabrina Gregory from Valero Energy. Adeeba, the Corrosion and Materials Engineer at Valero’s Pembroke Refinery, has a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Swansea University and is also the current Vice Chair of the Wales and South-West Branch of ICORR. Adeeba has experience in multiple areas of mechanical integrity, including being a registered American Petroleum Institute (API) piping and pressure vessels inspector. Sabrina Gregory, a Process Engineer working on the Reformer Unit at Valero’s Pembroke Refinery, has a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from Swansea University. Sabrina has experience in daily operations of the Reformer Unit as well as during a major unit turnaround/upgrade.
Adeeba and Sabrina’s presentation titled “Where process and corrosion engineering meet: Implementing a material operating envelope at a refining facility,” provided insight into the concept of Material Operating Envelopes (MOEs) and the multidisciplinary collaboration required for their effective implementation in a refinery setting. They explored the critical considerations needed to complete an MOE study, including materials selection, operational changes, and contaminant control. A key part of their presentation was a case study on implementing an MOE for a Catalytic Reformer Unit, detailing how such frameworks ensure the longevity and safety of complex industrial equipment. Their expertise illustrated how blending process engineering with corrosion and materials engineering can help mitigate potential operational risks, minimise turnaround times and optimise performance in refining operations.
The second presentation was given by Sahana Cooper, a Senior Process Engineer at Insite Technical Services. With five years of experience in process design, Sahana has worked on a diverse range of projects, from surge analysis to distillation column replacements and co-processing renewable feedstocks. Sahana’s academic background includes a degree in Chemical Engineering from Loughborough University, complemented by an industrial placement at Valero’s Pembroke Refinery and a research project at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The presentation, “Corrosion mechanisms in hydrotreaters during co-processing of renewable feeds.” delved into the challenges faced when co-processing renewable feedstocks in diesel hydrotreaters. Her talk focused on a specific project where a client sought to co-process up to 5% by weight renewable feedstock in their diesel hydrotreater. The process posed unique corrosion challenges, particularly related to managing salt deposits and adhering to the high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) limits, which are crucial for ensuring the integrity and safety of refinery operations.
The event saw an excellent level of interaction from the audience, with many questions and plenty of further discussions following each presentation. The delegates were highly engaged, seeking deeper insights into the technical aspects of the topics covered and exchanging ideas on how to apply the learnings in their own work. The lively discussions highlighted the thirst for knowledge and collaboration among professionals in the region. With 45 delegates in attendance, the first Pembroke event was deemed a resounding success! The positive feedback from participants and the high level of engagement with branch activities to date bode very well for the future of the Wales and South-West regional branch, which plans to continue providing such events for professionals to connect, learn, and grow.
The next event is due to take place at Cardiff University on 9th April. For more information, contact: swchair@icorr.org
You can also keep up to date on events by visiting our LinkedIn page; https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12992293/.
Photo: Delegates Observing Adeeba Zachary and Sabrina Gregory Presentations.
Photo: Sahana Cooper from Insite Technical Services.
