Refining
Getting onboard with modernization
While electrical equipment typically has a lengthy lifespan, it is not meant to last, or be relevant, forever.
Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery reduces FCCU turnaround risk
Change involves risk. Many fluidized catalytic cracking units (FCCUs) can be operated more profitably, but changes to achieve more efficient operations can be risky.
A game-changing approach to furnace safeguarding
This work is a follow-up article to “Automate furnace controls to improve safety and energy efficiency,” which was published in the June 2014 edition of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing.</i>
Reduce dry gas and coke with a more flexible FCC technology
To meet increasingly stringent specifications for cleaner gasoline and to produce more clean fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) naphtha with lower olefins, a novel FCC technologya for maximizing isoparaffins was developed in the late 1990s. The technology’s principal is based on the formation and conversion of olefins in two different reaction zones.
Technical considerations for the Heydar Aliyev refinery revamp
The following case study describes the early development phases of SOCAR’s ongoing major revamp project at the Heydar Aliyev Refinery (HAR) in Baku, Azerbaijan, and its interface with the associated Azerikimya (AZK) steam cracking complex near Sumgait. References are made to the related SOCAR polymer project in Sumgayit, as well.
Additive solutions to SOx emissions in FCCUs
Sulfur oxide additives are typically based on hydrotalcite or magnesium aluminate spinel-type structures. Magnesium alumina is the pickup agent present in the most effective SO<sub>x</sub> additives on the market; therefore, to optimize SO<sub>x</sub> reduction, it is critical to maximize the amount of the critical magnesium component in the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) in an efficient and cost-effective way.
People
Elliott Group has appointed Mark Babyak as VP of its cryodynamic products business, formerly the cryodynamics division of Ebara Intl. Corp.
Innovations
Carboline has released Carboquick® 200, a high-build, one-coat, quick-drying polyaspartic coating that can be applied directly to metal.
Global Project Data
According to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i>’s Construction Boxscore Database, nearly 150 new projects have been announced in the downstream processing industries this year.
Industry Metrics
With the exception of fuel oil, US product markets showed losses against pressure from across the barrel and high crude oil prices.
- KBR to provide technology for mega-scale ammonia plant in Angola 11/25
- Indian refiners' October crude processing up over 3% y/y 11/25
- Air Liquide strengthens partnership with TotalEnergies through renewable H2 project in France 11/25
- Hexagon collaborates with Microsoft to enhance industrial operations 11/25
- China issues extra crude oil import quota to teapot refineries 11/25
- McDermott achieves ISO 50001 Certification for energy management at four fabrication yards 11/25
