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

Loss Prevention

Reduce costs by following grab sampling best practices

Swagelok: Dixon, M.

Accurate grab sampling practices are necessary to validate the quality of chemical products with precise compositions. Operators must follow proper procedures to avoid compromising the sample. Otherwise, the result may be an inaccurate analysis of their product, leading to quality lapses and potentially costing a facility thousands of dollars in revenue.

Improving ammonia production sustainability

Emerson: Machuca, M.

While approximately 70% of ammonia production is used to make fertilizers, it is also identified as the largest carbon dioxide (CO2)-emitting chemical industry process. This article examines several novel technologies to improve the sustainability of the ammonia production process.

SMR feed effluent hairpin exchanger: Once upon a time—An unusual thermal mix-point failure—Part 2

Suncor Energy Inc.: Gilbert, F.  |  Jacob, O.

This article presents a review of a failure that happened in a hairpin heat exchanger type on the shell side in a H2 (H2) reformer unit.

Use advanced thermal insulative coatings to improve safety, maintain access and protect against corrosion

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine: Wilds, N.  |  Dammen-Brower, E.  |  Daum, J.

Throughout refineries, petrochemical plants and offshore oil and gas platforms, personnel are often required to work near equipment that operates at high temperatures. Protecting those workers from skin-contact burns has typically involved two approaches: implementing physical barriers and covering the hot assets with insulation and cladding. This article details how thermal insulative coatings can be used to improve safety and guard against corrosion.

BASF to build additional production capacity for X3D® catalyst shaping technology in Ludwigshafen

BASF announced that it will invest in additional production capacity for its X3D® technology, a new additive manufacturing technology for catalysts based on 3D printing. The plant will produce catalysts on an industrial scale and is expected to be operational in 2026. 

Akselos expands structural performance software offering for hydrotreaters

Akselos announced the expansion of its structural performance software offering for hydrotreaters in the refining and petrochemicals sector globally.

Neste changes its guidance due to unplanned shutdown of Rotterdam refinery

Neste’s Rotterdam refinery has been shut down due to a fire on 8 November 2024. The fire has been extinguished and did not cause any injuries.

Thai SCG halts operations at $5.4-B Vietnam petrochemical complex

Siam Cement Group said it has suspended commercial operation at its $5.4-B Long Son Petrochemicals complex in Vietnam after only one month due to "the chemicals' low margin".

Demystify warm-up practices for centrifugal pumps

Saudi Aramco: Talukder, R.  |  Mandal, P. K.

This article provides a thorough analysis of various warm-up practices—examining their benefits and drawbacks and proposing well-grounded guidelines for the development of efficient warm-up systems.

Research on vibration analysis and control of rotating axial flow pumps

CTCI Corp.: Yuehai, Y.

Vibration of axial flow pumps has emerged as a key problem to the long-term, reliable and stable operation of these pumps in the chemical industry.  This article dives into this issue and provides analysis and remedy.

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