Americas
US chemicals sector to keep global cost advantage for decades, study finds
The unconventional revolution is contributing to a shift in global competitiveness for the US by unlocking new production cost advantages, which is particularly pronounced in chemicals. The industry could enjoy a “profound and sustained competitive advantage that is expected to last for decades."
BASF extends technology partnership with Apprion for North American plants
BASF and Apprion have finalized an initial $10 million deal for multiple application projects to be implemented over the next two years. These applications will enable BASF facilities to address their industrial safety, security, compliance and performance initiatives via Apprion's systems and services.
Brazil keeps Manguinhos refinery operational as land expropriation stalls
Late last year, the government rejected a company proposal to allow the refinery to continue operations, opting instead to move forward with a plan to clean up the site and build much needed public housing as part of an urban renewal program ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Case history: Optimization of FCCU with multivariate statistical modeling
Process models and simulation methods can be used to simulate the fluidized-bed catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) process.a,b Likewise, kinetic or multivariate statistical models have been used. Rigorous..
Processing shale oils in FCC: Challenges and opportunities
Detailed feed analysis and cracking studies aid refiners in understanding how best to optimize operations and maximize FCC value when processing shale oils.
Mitigate fouling in crude unit overhead—Part 1
In a refinery crude distillation column, up to 40% of the total heat removal may be found in the tower overhead condenser. The quantity of duty available makes heat integration (HI) between the column..
Use modeling to evaluate processing solutions for heavy oils
To optimize processing and reduce design and operating costs, refiners should consider using accurate simulation models that are specifically tailored for heavy crudes.
Improved oxidation process increases sulfur recovery with Claus unit
Since its development in 1936, the “modified Claus” technology has been the preferred process used by refineries and gas processing plants for the recovery of sulfur from acid-gas streams. M..
Consider accurate feed characterization with improved simulation methods
Assay definition is crucial for accurate process simulations. The performance of process simulators depends on the feed definition to the processing unit. Modern analytical laboratories can offer comp..
Optimize slop-wax bed height in the vacuum unit
The vacuum distillation (VD) unit in the petroleum refinery separates the heavier fraction of crude oil from the atmospheric distillation unit (ADU) into light vacuum gasoil (LVGO) and heavy VGO (HVGO..
- 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
