January 2005

Apply appropriate reliability and operating improvement techniques in an integrated process to match plant capabilities

Utilizing this innovative technology can help realize substantial savings

Advancements in computational fluid methods simulate dynamics and reactions for autothermal reformers

Real-time performance diagnostics provide substantial benefits

Working with an experienced contractor can uncover additional benefits when upgrading an existing unit

Here's an analysis of the economic and environmental benefits to be gained from not simply flaring or venting natural gas

Improving the quality of aqueous ammonia can reduce maintenance and raise reliability for pollutant-abatement system

New environmental regulations mandate reporting mass rates for hazardous compounds at flares. Apply these common sense guidelines and streamline meter selection

Benchmarking is not a substitute for a competent reliability professional

Here's how to ensure a continuous supply of clean and dry buffer gas

I stopped writing   editorials for a while because people were uncomfortable reading them. But I have finally decided against burying my head in sand. We ? control engineers ? should discu..

For over five decades, centrifugal compressors have benefited from mechanical field technology. The early compressors of the 1950s often struggled with cumbersome labyrinth sealing and gas eductor arr..

During the holiday season, I asked a few people what their goals in the year ahead were. It was a haphazard kind of poll. But, interestingly, each answer points to an area of significant new business ..

It is pleasure to see that the new ANSI/ISA 84.00.01-2004 (IEC 61511+) standard has been issued. It replaces the now obsolete ISA 84.01-1996. This standard is word-for-word identical to IEC 61511 exce..

LNG vaporization process reduces emissions up to 90% Mustang Engineering's midstream group has developed an air exchange vaporization process that is claimed to efficiently and economically regas..

Easy-to-operate modular control system The Regulus, a programmable logic controller-based modular control system, is said to temper leading technology with ease of use. Plant services can monitor..

CB&I has a lump-sum, turnkey engineering, procurement and construction contract with Frontier El Dorado Refining Co. (Frontier). It will design and build a 24,000 bpsd ultra-low sulfur diesel hydrot..

KBR has a license for a second catalyst cooler for Petrobras' residual fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit at its Capuava (RECAP) refinery in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The catalyst cooler installations pro..

CB&I has a lump-sum turnkey contract valued at between $725 and $750 million for Phase 1 of a grassroots liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Milford Haven, Wales, UK. The facility will be..

Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd., a Foster Wheeler Ltd. subsidiary, has a project management services contract with Saudi International Petrochemical Co. (Sipchem) for its acetyls complex to be built at J..

Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical Co. Ltd. has started up what is claimed to be the world's largest single train plant that uses LP Oxo low pressure oxo alcohols process technology. The new plant in Zibo C..

Flame-and-gas detection solutions MSA Instrument Division's new bulletin, "MSA Flame-and-Gas Detection for the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries," highlights its permanent and portable instru..

  Europe's refining future Oil demand growth in Europe's ..

New EU motor fuels and their impact on refiners and the supply chain was the topic of an analysis by Walter Pfeiffer with Accenture Kronberg. Speaking at the recent ERTC meeting in Prague, he offere..

Market speculators have kept oil prices high, but energy analyst Amy Myers Jaffe, a researcher with Rice University, Houston, expects a "more bearish outlook" for 2005. Speaking at a recent engineer..

China has moved to expand its influence in a region long dominated by the US, signing an accord with Southeast Asian nations. The agreement aims to create the world's largest free trade area by 2010..

The National Petrochemicals and Refiners Association (NPRA) continues to stress the importance of balancing a supply-oriented fuels policy with continued environmental progress. Testifying before..

The North American chemical processing industry saw a small decline in projects put on hold or canceled in 2004. Expectations are that trend will continue in 2005. In 2004, market research from I..

A new outlook forecasts that US gasoline and other fuel additive demand will become an $8.4-billion market in 2008. Volume will decline slightly to 38 billion pounds. This is the result of the ongoi..

Eco-benchmarking and modeling can help with operational efficiency