[philman_36]

It won't happen until it is economically feasible to do so.
You haven't a clue. The functionality is what is critical, not the economic feasibility and a redesign can't change the functional process.

Do you even know what an internal tray is inside of those towers and how they function much less what it takes to change them out during maintenance?

Refineries may be able to OPERATE with limited people, but the minute something has to be repaired or maintained you need people.

Protest all you want and make all of the ignorant, uninformed comments you want, but it isn't going to change anything. Robots simply can't do the jobs humans do in refineries.

[GingisK]

You haven't a clue.

You, dear fellow, are the one who hasn't a clue. Do you believe that a refinery is more exotic that an integrated circuit wafer fab?

I am not ignorant. I am an engineer that builds computer controlled apparatus, including robotics gizmos.

I think you are safe from replacement simply because most of the refineries will probably be shut down following your exit from this hollowed dirt ball.