Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Environment & Safety

Case study: Developing mildew-resistant coatings on ethanol tanks

Sherwin-Williams Global Supply Chain: Hair, J.  |  Rook, T.

Scientists from the authors’ company determined how best to combat persistent black mildew on aboveground storage tanks by first using a novel strategy to identify it. This discovery led to the identification of coating formulations with superior capacity to prevent mildew growth. The scientists proved the performance of the coatings by conducting field tests involving painting sample patches onto an ethanol storage tank. 

Refinery/petrochemical makeup water treatment: A general guide for technical personnel—Part 1

Buecker & Associates: Buecker, B.

New personnel are often confronted with challenges that require knowledgeable and quick action, which they may have difficulty providing without thorough training. A very important—and sometimes overlooked—unit operation within these facilities is makeup water treatment for steam generators and other processes. Many cases have been documented in which makeup system upsets have led to boiler tube failures that partially or completely shut down unit processes. Parts 1 and 2 (September 2024) of this article serve as a guide for those employees who may be on a steep learning curve when it comes to makeup system understanding. 

Zero liquid discharge: A stepping stone to water sustainability—Part 1

Fluor: Kumar, S.  |  Ekmekci, B.  |  Ranwe, A.  |  S. G. S.

Among the available technologies of wastewater treatment to recover reusable water, zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) has become the most frequently used term in oil and gas refineries and petrochemical plants. It has been effectively used in the treatment of brine to maximize the recovery of freshwater or recycled water and to recover salt and other chemicals that are used in other industries. 

The effects of cooling water parameters on condenser brass tubes

Tüpraş: Yıldız, D.

This work is focused on the effect of cooling water parameters on admiralty brass tubes. The effect of high free chlorine on the corrosion rate of brass tubes has been investigated by scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) and eddy current test (ECT) methods and the laboratory results of the cooling water were determined and discussed. Also, the tendency of the feed water scaling indices that is LSI, PSI & RSI was calculated. The results show that a dezincification corrosion mechanism was observed due to the high-level free chlorine on the admiralty brass tube.

Olin Corporation lifts systemwide force majeure for chlor-alkali products

Olin Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of chemical products and ammunition, announced that it has lifted its systemwide force majeure on chlor-alkali products declared on July 10, 2024.

Digital Feature: Truly effective reliability requires predictive maintenance

To navigate this new world, organizations must find ways to bring in new technologies to support the limited personnel they have, but without increasing the complexity of those people’s jobs or overwhelming them with raw data they are not trained to use. The solution is to implement a predictive maintenance technology plan founded on a boundless automation vision of seamlessly moving contextualized data wherever it is needed.

Honeywell expands licensing agreement to support energy transition with new flare technologies

Honeywell announced a significant expansion of its licensing agreement with AFG Combustion and its subsidiary, Greens Combustion Ltd., to include Callidus flares. This expanded agreement not only doubles the range of greenhouse gas-reducing Callidus Ultra Blue Hydrogen process burners but also enhances global customer support.

New research reveals increasing strategic importance of maintenance in oil and gas industry operations

Jotun has published a new report, derived from a survey of over 1,000 senior professionals, showing that 88% of respondents anticipate an increase in maintenance budgets over the next five years and 75% say that the requirement to report on environmental performance has led to increased investment in maintenance.

Mitsubishi Chemical to conduct studies on chemical recycling of tires using coke ovens

The Mitsubishi Chemical Group has launched studies to perform chemical recycling of end-of-life (ELT) tires by utilizing the coke ovens at its Kagawa plant (Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture). The MCG Group aims to begin marketing sustainable carbon black made from ELTs by March 2026.

Process technology: SICK and Endress+Hauser sign strategic partnership

German sensor company SICK and the Swiss measurement and automation technology specialist Endress+Hauser have agreed on a strategic partnership. Endress+Hauser will take over worldwide sales and service of SICK’s process analyzers and gas flowmeters, with a JV to be established for their production and further development.