Engineering & Design
HP Viewpoint: What characteristics define the world’s best refineries?
A number of significant forces are reshaping the global refining industry. However, what characteristics define the world’s best refineries? HSB Solomon Associates LLC’s recent “Fuels R..
HP Industry Perspectives: Reflections from a petrochemical giant
Frank Popoff, retired chairman and CEO of the Dow Chemical Co., shared his insight on the petrochemical industry at the AFPM’s 2014 International Petrochemical Conference (IPC). With a career spa..
HP News
EU-US Energy Council discusses European energy security The EU-US Energy Council met recently in Brussels, Belgium. Following the gathering, the council issued a statement indicating that developments..
HP Industry Metrics
The OPEC Reference Basket for crudes fell $1.23 in March. Changes in the crude oil markets are attributed to a slowdown in China’s economy and reduced crude oil demand by refineries. Non-OPEC sup..
What separates the best-of-class companies from the rest?
Many metrics can be used to define the top-performing downstream companies. Often, it includes financial (profits) results, environmental and safety performance, equipment availability and more. Howev..
Use innovative solutions to return storage tanks back to service faster
High-solids epoxy linings for the petrochemical terminal and pipeline market are gathering high interest as the need to efficiently return storage tanks back to service becomes more prevalent. Some co..
Chevron Lummus to aid hydroprocessing on new refinery units in China
One unit will utilize LC-MAX residue hydrocracking technology -- the first commercialization for a grassroots unit. Another will utilize ISOCRACKING distillate hydrocracking technology, and the third will utilize VRDS vacuum residue desulfurization technology and UFR upflow reactor technology.
Case history: Optimization of aromatics complex
Borealis Polymers executed an online optimization project at its phenol and aromatics plants in Porvoo. The plantwide application increased the output rate by 9% and greatly improved the stability of operations.
Improve the cracking of ethylene dichloride
The discovery and exploitation of shale gas in North America is providing a boost to the domestic petrochemical industry. In particular, commodity petrochemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are e..
Consider new strategies in defining turnaround or construction contracts
As the use of contract labor to complete refinery turnarounds and construction projects is increasing, success of these projects hinges on the ability of owners and contractors to effectively collabor..
- UPM unlocks new bio-based markets as Leuna biorefinery produces its first commercial product 12/19
- Stamicarbon awarded technology licensing contract for new urea plant in Eastern China 12/19
- Ford takes $19.5-B writedown on EV business 12/19
- Babcock & Wilcox awarded $40-MM contract for advanced wet gas scrubbing technology at Canadian petroleum refinery 12/19
- Aarti Industries secures methanol and toluene feedstock supply through multiple long-term contracts 12/19
- bp picks first outsider CEO Meg O'Neill after abrupt Auchincloss exit 12/19
