Americas
US ethylene costs sink to four-month low in April
Contributing to the recent softening price trend in ethylene was the subdued trade in polyethylene, ethylene's largest plastic derivative. Weaker prices for crude oil and other energy components left export buyers wondering if US prices for polyethylene would move lower.
Exxon cleans up Pegasus pipeline spill in Missouri
A resident notified the company that oil had stained the pipeline. Exxon is investigating the cause of the incident. The Pegasus pipeline has been out of service since March 29, when a breach in the line led to thousands of barrels of oil spilling into a residential neighborhood in Mayflower, Arkansas.
Avoid hidden costs of suction-specific speed in pumping
More than 30 years ago, a landmark study observed a relationship between suction-specific speed and the probability of pump failure that changed the way pumps are selected. This observation created th..
Rerating rotating equipment optimizes olefins plant performance
Rerating your installed compressors and steam turbines can become a cost-effective, time-saving solution for increasing throughput without having to invest in new equipment.
Investigate power limitations in a large steam turbine
An investigation was carried out to rectify power limitations for a steam-turbine driver of a cracked-gas compressor (CGC) in a world-class ethylene plant.DescriptionThe turbine is a nine-stage, impul..
Seal safety may require going beyond typical standards
Top industry professionals believe users must reach beyond typical standards in applying safer mechanical seals when hazardous and toxic chemicals are involved.
Prevent methane hydrate formation in natural gas valves
The discussion here focuses on the thermodynamics involved and on the requirements for a successful natural gas valve application in which the incidences of hydrate formation and icing of the valve are reduced.
Consider both actual and virtual spare parts inventory
Globally, hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) facilities operate hundreds of thousands of fluid machinery assets. The various service-specific internal components of these assets are supported by ma..
Consider novel CGC and front-end depropanizer system for olefins production
In the presented case study, an innovative design for an integrated CGC-DeC3 system introduces part of the heavier condensate from the early compression stages directly into the high-pressure (HP) depropanizer.
Enhance operation and reliability of dividing-wall columns
Dividing wall columns (DWCs) are an attractive option when the goals are to reduce energy consumption and capital investment for distillation processes. A major component in a DWC system is the reflux..
- Shell, CNOOC take FID on 1.6-MMtpy petrochemical complex expansion in China 1/15
- Plug Power seals huge deal with Allied Green Ammonia for 3-GW electrolyzer system 1/15
- Russian oil products trapped at sea by U.S. sanctions 1/15
- California (U.S.) withdraws clean truck EPA waiver request ahead of Trump inauguration 1/15
- Amazon orders 200 new electric heavy trucks from Daimler for Germany, UK 1/15
- Colonial Pipeline shuts main gasoline artery after potential gasoline spill 1/15
