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Panoramic view of CIPH Methanol Plant, Neuquen, Argentina. Photo courtesy of YPF.
Overcoming heat transfer challenges at a methanol plant
One of Argentina’ s largest methanol plants currently faces unique challenges in maintaining its complex heat transfer systems, particularly as its equipment ages beyond its originally intended lifespan. In this interview, Nicolás Giménez, Head of Stationary Equipment Inspection at YPF, discusses the plant’ s ongoing challenges, the impact of hightemperature and high-pressure operations on heat exchangers, and the innovative solutions being implemented to ensure long-term operational success.
By Iryna Mukha, Heat Exchanger World
YPF Complejo Industrial Plaza Huincul is a refinery and petrochemical facility located in the heart of Neuquén Province, near the world-renowned unconventional oil and gas deposit, Vaca Muerta. The facility consists of a small refinery with an atmospheric distillation process, a naphtha reforming plant, and a storage tank park supplying naphtha and gasoil to northern Patagonia. Additionally, it houses one of Argentina’ s largest methanol plants, operational since 2002. The methanol plant plays a crucial role not only in the industrial sector but also in the local community. It provides employment opportunities and supports regional economic growth, making it an essential asset for the province and its people. Methanol is a critical raw material used in biodiesel production and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Its production process involves several integrated subprocesses that transform natural gas and steam into high-purity liquid methanol, stored in tanks. The process comprises four primary stages:
• Sulfur elimination
• Gas reforming
• Methanol synthesis
• Methanol distillation
Nicolás Giménez, Head of Stationary Equipment Inspection at YPF Complejo Industrial Plaza Huincul, leads a team responsible for non-
16 Heat Exchanger World June 2025 www. heat-exchanger-world. com