March 2022
Special Focus: Petrochemical Technology
Part 1 of this article (October 2021) discussed how catalytic reforming processes produce olefin contaminants in aromatics streams via paraffin dehydrogenation side reactions.
Energy efficiency, carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) footprint reduction and the minimization of material requirements are becoming key drivers of our daily decisions in all industry sectors.
Motor gasoline standards are becoming increasingly stringent—in particular, the olefins content requirement in motor gasoline is getting lower and lower. Among these standards, China standard motor gasoline VI (B) requires that the olefin content should be < 15 vol%.
Process Optimization
Oil refining is an exceptionally complex industry, with much of the inherent complexity stemming from wide regional variances in crude quality and composition, plant capabilities and the types of products produced.
Environmental considerations and stringent government regulations drive incessant interest and efforts to decrease diesel sulfur content to ultra-low levels.
100th Anniversary
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> continues its look at the history of the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI).
This articles details several case studies on the use of x-ray technology for inspection purposes. This includes for the inspection of casings, forgings and welded structures, among others.
Waldo Semon was an American chemist whose detour with assigned laboratory research at B. F. Goodrich led to the development of vinyl—the second best-selling plastic in the world.
Plant Design, Engineering, Construction and Commissioning
This article presents a novel design concept that utilizes a heavy-duty cable tray system to optimize cable tray design, procurement and construction.
Environment and Safety
The sustainable management of petroleum exploration and refining requires appropriate treatment and disposal of the oily waste generated.
When the challenging position of manager is assumed in a refinery, one of the first orders of business is to “survive” an upcoming process safety management (PSM) compliance audit.
Carbon Captures/CO2 Mitigation
Many view COP26—the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland—as a missed opportunity.
Heat Transfer
An air-cooled heat exchanger—also called an air fin cooler—is used to reject the heat from a fluid (liquid or gas, or a mixture of liquid and gas) directly to the ambient air.
Water Management
Waste heat in process units is removed via heat exchange with a recirculating cooling water supply and return stream (FIG. 1).
Valves, Pumps and Turbomachinery
The industry is moving away from oil shaft seals and hydraulic speed control for turbines to advanced alternatives.
Columns
Although most forecasts show global oil demand leveling off within the next decade, nearly all forecasts show a surge in petrochemicals consumption to 2050.
Over the last 40 yr, centrifugal compressor manufacturers have compiled a vast array of impellers and associated stationary components, allowing for higher efficiency staging.
Investing in firms that champion environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues (TABLE 1) has been discussed for decades but is now moving to the forefront of corporate initiatives.
With extreme weather events growing in frequency worldwide, organizations can do many things to protect their assets and mitigate some of the risks posed by natural hazards.
Trends and Resources
As <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> celebrates its centennial year of publishing, the publication has expanded its offerings for Full Access subscribers.
Big data is making tremendous changes in various sectors of the economy, and chemical industries can now leverage these new advancements.
Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database is tracking nearly 1,100 projects around the world, totaling more than $1.8 T in active capital project investments.
- MOL Group, KazMunayGas partner on exploring petrochemical production 11/21
- Solvay uses waste wood to power soda ash and bicarbonate plant in Germany 11/21
- Syensqo expands U.S. production capacity for advanced polymers 11/21
- Container shippers hedging green transition with dual-fuel vessel orders 11/21
- Singapore middle distillates stocks rise for fourth week to six-week high 11/21
- EIA: U.S. crude, gasoline inventories rise, distillates draw down 11/21