November 2001
Special Report: Fluid Flow
When retrofitting for clean fuels specifications, consider present and future flexibility of licensed hydrotreating technologies
Special Report: Refining Developments
FCC operations may be an increasing propylene source due to new processing methods
Refiner uses new ultra low-NOx burner technology to control emission levels from major sources
Worldwide, refiners must adopt processing strategies to achieve nearly sulfur-free fuels. It is possible when utilizing newer catalysts and improved design technologies
With new techniques, refiners can detect and recover from this poisoning
The analytical methods that determine parameters for premium diesel fuels are discussed
Bonus Report: Instrumentation
A principal stress model is proposed as a basis for selection in high-velocity or corrosive services
Here are the deciding factors for custody transfer applications
This analysis showed the loops would be stable
Instrumentation
Many applications have yet to be discovered
Loss Prevention/Management Guidelines
Though legislation in the U.S. has stalled, these principles and resources can be applied to improve productivity
Though legislation in the U.S. has stalled, these principles and resources can be applied to improve productivity
Refining Developments/Electrical
HP Interview
The only constant for the refining industry is change. Technology licensors are reshaping the refining process to provide users with new, improved methodologies for achieving product(s) goals. So, how..
Columns
The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) held its annual Computer Conference & Showcase October 1 – 3 in Dallas, Texas. As reported in last month's column, the ISA show is a good ..
Not all mechanical seal supplier agreements benefit both parties equally. We have recently seen some rather one-sided ones. At a recent users conference, the suggestion that the "partner" should discl..
In almost every safety system design class, the question is asked: "Do I need special equipment for safety instrumented systems?" Some available equipment has been certified by organizations like T..
In petrochemical facilities, the most common application of demineralized water is for makeup feed for high-pressure boilers. For example, ammonia, methanol and hydrogen are several processes that req..
Trends and Resources
Industry analysts at CMAI (www.cmaiglobal.com) recently presented their views of where the methanol market is headed. For 2000, most anticipated supply far outdistancing demand. The world had yet to r..
During the last decade, the construction industry has become more enlightened about worker safety. On some projects, clients and contractors seriously adopted the belief that projects could be constru..
Worldwide demand for MTBE will reach a peak of more than 520 thousand barrels/day (Mbpd) in 2001, following a decade and a half of extremely rapid growth – averaging more than 10%/yr since 1992. ..
Natural gas production from western Canada will continue to be the mainstay of Canada's gas supply. The frontier regions will supplement the volumes available from the western Canada sedimentary basin..
The board of directors of the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) recently elected a new slate of officers to replace those whose terms are due to expire at the conclusion of the An..
The week of Oct. 1, the Center for Chemical Process Safety held a conference in Toronto, Canada. The mood was subdued; everywhere conversations centered on September 11. Many attendees were asking abo..
'Breakthrough' FT-IR imaging system The PerkinElmer Spectrum Spotlight 300 IR Imaging System features patented Duet detector technology. This is claimed to overcome the limitations of traditional FT-I..
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and American Plastics Council (APC) have agreed to merge. The new organization will be named the American Chemistry Council and will have a single board of directo..
American Electric Power (AEP), Columbus, Ohio, and G.A.S. Capital Inc., Lake Zurich, Illinois, have formed a joint venture company, AEP Gas Power Systems. It will manufacture and market gas turbine ge..
Ultra-low-temperature cold behavior testingNew series of Online Cold Property Analyzers is claimed to becapable of continuous, ultra-low-temperature testing without anexternal cooler. Using technology..
ABB to build FPSO units ABB has orders from Bergesen d.y. Offshore, a Norway-based floating production contractor, to build and operate oil processing systems on two floating production and offloading..
Process receives CENELEC approvalEuropean safety group ISSeP has deemed redesigned Process NMR suitable for Zone I hazardous areas, by awarding it the code EEx pdem(ib) IIC T4 CENELEC certificate. In ..
U.S. air quality steadily improved through 2000, according to EPA's annual summary of air quality trends (www.epa.gov). This trend toward cleaner air has continued since EPA's formation in 1970, whil..
Letters to the Editor
pH Measurement I have found an error in the article "Proper pH measurement," (August, p. 120). In the section referring to pH measurement in high purity water, the author talks about adding a "neutral..
Misc
BILL CROWLEY, Contributing Editor Comments? Write: editorial@HydrocarbonProcessing.com Asphalt is a small niche of the downstream market, but a very nec..
Organizations that manufacture MTBE or supply this industry must truly believe that there are monsters everywhere. MTBE, a petrochemical with firm ties to the methanol industry, has many opponents. Ye..
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