Refining
ExxonMobil, SABIC to proceed with project
ExxonMobil and SABIC announced the decision to proceed with the construction of a chemical facility and a 1.8 million metric ton ethane steam cracker.
Air-cooled steam surface condenser case study: Retrofit vs. revamp
It is difficult to revamp an existing air-cooled steam surface condenser (ACSSC) for higher throughput, since most ACSSC suppliers have changed to a single-tube row design and have discontinued their multi-tube row design.
Executive Viewpoint: Trends in the global process furnace market
Whether it is heating process fluids to achieve enough temperature in crude atmospheric and vacuum distillation units, or reaction temperatures inside furnace tubes to produce ethylene, vinyl chloride monomer, synthetic gas and continuous catalytic reformer reactors, or simple process heating (thermal fluid), process furnaces play a critical role in refineries and petrochemical complexes.
Risk: Navigating energy volatility: Understanding the principles of commodity risk management
The persistent volatility of energy prices is well known, and sustained price movements have fueled a boom-and-bust cycle in different energy sectors for decades.
Engineering Case Histories: Case 107: Weld failures in vibrating equipment
Vibrating equipment can be machines, such as vibrating screens, conveyor pans or a combination of both, that are designed to transport, sort or dry materials.
Reliability: Know the pitfalls of excessively high oil viscosity
Since its inception in June 1990, more than half of the 347 “HP Reliability” columns published in Hydrocarbon Processing have incorporated consulting experiences and communications that span the globe.
Editorial Comment: The true essence of optimization
What is the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word optimization?
Innovations
Librestream and ecom, a Pepperl+Fuchs brand, have collaborated on an innovation for asset analysis and safety inspections in hazardous locations: the Onsight Cube-Ex wearable camera.
Construction
Sinochem Hongrun Petrochemical Co. Ltd. will use Honeywell UOP’s ionic liquids alkylation technology to produce high-octane, cleaner-burning transportation fuels.
Industry Metrics
In the US, continued gasoline–related tightening exerted upside pressure on prices, despite improvement in refinery throughputs as refineries returned online.
- 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

