Americas
HP Editorial Comment: What’s next for the energy industry?
Year-end always leads to insightful predictions for the upcoming 12 months and possibly some longer-term insights. In writing this editorial at the end of December, HP reviewed several 2014 outlooks t..
HP Reliability: Best practices when trim-cutting closed-pump impellers
Experienced reliability professionals will implement least-risk solutions whenever possible. The following example relates to impeller trimming to reduce the diameter of a fixed-speed centrifugal pump..
HP Automation Strategies: ISO 55000 will up the ante for asset performance management
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, you should have heard about the upcoming ISO 55000 Asset Management Systems standard. How will this impact the hydrocarbon processing i..
HP Viewpoint: Methanol: The other transportation fuel
In the US Congress, the Open Fuel Standard Act was introduced to direct automakers to have half of all new cars by the 2017 model year capable of operating on something other than gasoline, with model..
HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 77: Random deck vibration with beats
When something vibrates, it is usually in a predictable manner. Motors, pumps, compressors, turbines and centrifuges all vibrate when they are out of balance. Vibration analysis can help predict the s..
HP Industry Perspectives: New crude oil supplies stabilize oil prices
A new US Energy Information Administration (EIA) report highlighted a positive trend unfolding within the global energy market. The rise in US crude oil production has greatly contributed to stabilizi..
HP News
US senator suggests lifting ban on oil exports    The Trans-Alaskan pipeline terminus in Valdez, Alaska. Photo courtesy of The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Senator Lisa Murk..
Update on ambient heat transfer for storage tanks
Heat gain from ambient or heat loss to atmosphere is discussed in standards and technical publications.1, 2 However, the work on fluid/ambient thermal interactions rarely includes an important factor&..
Investigators: Deficient refinery safety culture to blame in recent blasts
The US report cites a lax safety culture, weak industry standards for safeguarding equipment, and a regulatory system that often emphasizes activities over outcomes.
US energy groups spar over 2014 biofuel mandate
Several leading US trade groups representing the petroleum and biofuels sectors are at odds this week as the EPA prepares to finalize the nation's renewable fuels mandates for 2014.
- Lummus and Sumitomo Chemical announce commercial availability of PMMA chemical recycling technology 2/4
- ExxonMobil ceases production at Fife ethylene plant 2/4
- Vietnam's Binh Son refinery signs energy MoUs with U.S. partners 2/4
- European oil refinery maintenance to rise in March 2/4
- Poland's Gdansk refinery plans cyclical maintenance from month-end 2/4
- China's Nanshan Group plans 100,000-bpd refinery in Indonesia 2/4
