Nakamura, D. N.
Mass transfer and catalysts
Mass transfer and catalysis are the bases of all refinery processes. Therefore, these two areas are probably the most active in terms of the research and development of new products. These two areas a..
HPIn Processing: Uncertainties
As this issue of HP hits the "newsstands" (i.e., your desk), U.S. refiners are gearing up their operations for the summer driving season. This year, it officially starts after May 31. This season diff..
News and notes from NPRA
The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) held its Annual Meeting in San Antonio from March 21–23. As I have written in the past, this is one of my favorite industry meetings to ..
Knowledge capital
As oil industry companies continue to merge, consolidate and downsize, a natural outcome is a decline in the number of workers. This trend that started in the late '80s has resulted in what Joseph Sta..
Feedstocks and products
In this day and age of low crude oil prices, low product prices and, consequently, low operating margins, HPI operating companies are implementing many different strategies to improve overall profitab..
HPIn Processing: Ultra-merger
This past year was quite a rough one for the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) and the oil industry in general. Many "records" were broken or came close to being broken. These "records" include so..
Mega-merger
The title of the June 1998 "HP In Processing" was "Deal-making heats up in 1998," and although refiners were busy with consolidations, joint ventures, mergers, etc., I had no idea what was in store fo..
HPIn Processing: Refining "divorcement"
Over the past few years, gasoline prices in California (as well as other areas of the U.S.) have experienced occasional spikes. In some areas, most notably San Diego and San Francisco, these price spi..
HPIn Processing: Tips to prospective authors
In my five years as Process Editor, I think this summer has been one of the most uneventful in the HPI. Since there is not much newsy-type stuff to write about, I thought I would take this opportunity..
HPIn Processing: Latin America important to U.S. refiners
Last month, I discussed the increased U.S. refining business activity that occurred during the first half of this year. However, not all activity is limited to the U.S. Refiners in Asia are currently ..
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