February 1998

Here is one refiner's experience with a major project to produce clean gasoline

After a century of 10% operating margins, they have risen to 15% in the past five years. Inventory turns — a key measure of asset utilization — have nearly doubled, freeing up $6 billion in ..

Whenever component distress is causing equipment failure, the analyst should remember that the life expectancy of replacement components can be improved by shot peening. Shot peening process. It is..

Attention all refining personnel — here's a site with you in mind. Hydrocarbon Online (HO) (http://www.hydrocarbononline.com/) has collected quite a bit of information just for you. This is one o..

More than ever, the HPI must really think outside the traditional framework and break down old barriers. The industry must innovatively use available process technology to its fullest potential. Treme..

An American friend of mine once remarked as the saga of Three Mile Island began to unfold: "Organizing a large-scale disaster is not as simple as it seems." I was reminded of his words one evening in ..

Your firm's missing core business process

Lummus increases propylene production for MiRO Mineraloelraffinerie Oberrhein GmbH & Co. KG (MiRO) has selected ABB Lummus Global to provide technology licenses and basic engineering services for a..

India offers 'significant opportunities for global chemical companies,' says a new analysis from Chem Systems Inc. Since 1991, the Indian economy has been strengthening, with the petrochemical sector ..

U.S. petroleum use in 1997, as measured by domestic deliveries, grew 1.7%. This was about equal to the average growth of the previous five years, according to the American Petroleum Institute's statis..

Rapid advances in computers, software and optical technology are allowing suppliers to offer more sophisticated analytical instruments based on infrared spectroscopy for process applications. So state..

World production and consumption of chemicals was valued at $1.5 trillion in 1995. The U.S. is the largest single-country manufacturer. However, regionally, Western Europe and Asian chemical output ex..

According to a forecast from the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) Supply and Demand Committee: U.S. natural gas consumption in 1998 is expected to increase by 2.2% to 22.48 trill..

The U.S. Department of Energy has organized a Compressed Air Challenge. This national effort is designed to save industry $150 million annually by "transforming" the industrial compressed air market i..

A substantial part of the world's methanol production capacity is approaching the end of its service life. These facilities will be shut down due to excessive energy requirements or will have exhauste..

The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission reports that U.S. motorists are paying an average 7.2 cents per gallon less for gasoline than a year ago. Nationally, the average price of self-serve..

A growing concern for the environment (example: December's Kyoto conference) is driving worldwide demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. And although there have been some fascinating developments in..