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

Safety

CVR Energy says fire extinguished at Coffeyville, Kansas (U.S.) refinery

CVR Energy said a fire that broke out in the naphtha hydrotreater unit at a Coffeyville, Kansas refinery operated by a subsidiary has been extinguished.

Accelerate the clean energy transition with the power of modular pilot and demonstration-scale plants

Modular pilot and demonstration-scale plants have emerged as crucial tools in accelerating this transition as the global community grapples with reducing carbon footprints and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. These plants are instrumental in effectively transitioning between laboratory research and full-scale commercial deployment, offering a pragmatic approach to testing, optimizing and improving new technologies in a controlled, scalable manner. 

Crude unit at Tupras's Izmir oil refinery expected to restart mid-December

A 151,000-bpd crude unit at the Izmir oil refinery operated by Turkey's Tupras is tentatively expected to restart in mid-December after a fire on Nov. 25.

Mexican firefighters extinguish second fire in one week at Pemex refinery

A fire at a refinery belonging to Mexican state oil producer Pemex has been extinguished, the firm and authorities said on Thursday, noting that no one had been reported injured.

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.

How to select the right explosive-certified equipment for hazardous areas

Cygnus: George, D.  |  Jelly, C.  |  Wei, C. J.

When operating in a potentially explosive atmosphere, several crucial aspects must be considered. These include understanding the potential hazards and choosing the correct tools for the identified hazardous areas. The rules and regulations surrounding the use of equipment in hazardous areas are deciphered and explained within this work. 

Safe design and operation of burn pit flare systems

Saudi Aramco: Al-Tijani, A. H.  |  Al-Mubayedh, M.  |  Al-Sanad, A.
Zeeco: Seefeldt, G.

This article will mainly focus on horizontal flare systems and grade-level burn pits. Design considerations, operational challenges and several lessons learned will be discussed. 

Design optimization of an HVAC system in a petrochemical plant’s controls building

CTCI Corp.: Zengjun, Y.

Since petrochemical plant control buildings are usually designed to be blast-resistant without external windows, convection ventilation cannot be carried out, leading to poor air circulation. As a result, there are higher requirements for indoor air quality, and it is necessary to optimize the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system design scheme to improve air quality.

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.

Measuring hydrogen, tomorrow’s innovative fuel

Endress+Hauser: Castillo, C. M.

Because it can be stored, transported and burned without GHG emissions, hydrogen (H2) is emerging as a potential frontrunner as a clean fuel source. However, transporting H2 must be efficient and cost-effective, a task that requires careful consideration and innovative solutions. This article will examine requirements for effective H2 transportation and accurate measurement in its challenging environments.