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Use vapor distributors to improve fractionation column performance

Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology: Fewel, K. J.

Vapor distribution has often been neglected in fractionation columns. Although the importance of liquid distribution is well understood and has been a consideration in column design from the early sta..

Bolivia expands petrochemical capability with Bulo Bulo ammonia complex

Contributing Writer: Nogarin, M.

The Bulo Bulo ammonia-urea facility will be Bolivia’s first petrochemical venture. This new facility is expected to produce sufficient urea/ammonia supplies for domestic demand and will provide surplus product for export.

US petrochemical construction boom and refining margins cushion profits

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Blume, Adrienne

Domestic refiners and petrochemical producers will face changing supply and demand conditions, particularly as the sharp decrease in oil prices influences drilling decisions.

Update on the catalytic cracking process—Part 2

One of the prime challenges in the operation of a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) is keeping the catalyst circulating. Compared to other challenges with FCC operations, correcting erratic catalys..

HP Editorial Comment: Accessing the value of methane and the North American petrochemical revolution

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Romanow, Stephany

The North American (NA) petrochemical industry is experiencing a renaissance of new project announcements and manufacturing expansions. This wave of activity is supported by abundant, low-cost natural gas supplies. In particular, many ethylene projects are under various stages of development.

HP Reliability: The true cost of poor quality

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Bloch, Heinz P.

Knoxville, Tennessee-based System Improvements, Inc., has been in the forefront of teaching structured root-cause analysis throughout the world. System Improvements, Inc. has used its proprietary soft..

HP Project Management: Inside look at financing biorenewable projects

Nexant: Cascone, R.

Financing biorenewables technology companies and their projects involves a unique set of challenges. The global emergence of biorenewable fuels, chemicals and polymers is driven by public policies, su..

HP Global: India’s fertilizer industry gathering strength

Special Secretary to Government of Kerala, and Chairman, Chemical Engineering Division Board of the Institution of Engineers: Nair, M. P. Sukumaran

The $2-T Indian economy is forecast to have an annual average GDP growth rate of 8%–9% in 2015 under the new government. The main drivers—agriculture and industrial manufacturing—need r..

HP Petrochemicals: US petrochemical revival slows amid weaker oil

Contributing Editor: Martin, S.

Since the shale revolution, US oil and gas majors have run on all cylinders, drastically curbing US dependency on foreign resources. But the past six months changed it all. A 53% plunge in oil prices ..

HP Viewpoint: Methanex focuses on growth and expanding its operations across the globe

Methanex Corp.: Floren, J.

As the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets, Methanex Corp. continues to focus on growing and expanding its operations across the globe. The most recen..