June 2013

Saudi Aramco’s Riyadh refinery operates a series-flow, single-stage hydrocracking unit (HCU) in recycle high-conversion mode. The unit underwent a revamp in 1983 and presently processes a mixture..

A study was conducted using a series of FCC catalysts that included reduced rare-earth content and increased zeolite Y quantity systems. The goal was to raise gasoline yield along with greater yields of olefins.

With the fluctuation of natural gas pricing, it is important to evaluate technically feasible solutions and choose the most economical alternative. Ultimately, this leads to a simpler and more cost-effective solution.

Recent environmental regulations mandate that refinery and petrochemical industries reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Emissions legislations are constantly under review, and they differ from coun..

Energy efficiency doesn’t imply producing less to reduce energy consumptions, but rather improving plant productivity and effectiveness, allowing plants to produce the same amount of product with fewer resources.

Novel catalysts can improve the oxidation of thiols (RSH) found in light oils. Thiols in petroleum products, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and light straight-run naphtha (LSRN), usually found ..

Most operational problems in the hydrogen plant occur at the steam reformer. The steam reformer is typically operated at high temperatures (810°C process gas) and high pressures (20 atmg) to maxi..

Critical attention must be paid when designing the crude distillation unit (CDU) preheat train. Many pitfalls can easily lead to unnecessary expenditures or unsatisfactory operations. Key design crite..

Pinch technology is the most rigorous, systematic and best documented methodology for process design.1–3 Nearly all optimization projects for heat recovery are conducted with some form of pinch a..

By changing only the crank-end head, piston and rod assembly, the same cylinder body can be mounted on any of the common 5-in. to 7-in. stroke compressor frames that have been manufactured in the last five decades.

As the control-system end users gathered at ARC Advisory Group’s recent World Industry Forum in Orlando, Flordia, for a workshop focusing on control-system migration, it became apparent that agin..

Both public and private refiners are planning or have already commenced major expansion and upgrade projects, with several working to develop new grassroots facilities.

Over the last few decades, the Indian upstream sector has evolved through three different regulatory regimes—nomination, pre-new exploration licensing policy (NELP)/limited bid rounds and, finall..

I remember working in a test department, where a particular technician, known as Mike, seemed to destroy a significant percentage of the equipment he worked on. Since he reported to me, I tried extra ..

Major changes are unfolding that will impact the marine shipping industry. Within the next decade, tighter environmental rules will be in place, changing fuels used to propel international and domesti..

Major energy supply and flare reduction project in IraqSouth Gas Co., Shell and Mitsubishi have joined together to form Basrah Gas Co. (BGC), which will oversee what the group claims to be “the l..

Gas buyers in Japan and South Korea are expected to benefit most from potential liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, while Australian producers and European wholesalers could be under pressure. The tw..

US electricity demand in April 2013 was the lowest monthly demand the country has seen in three years, as April temperatures trended warmer for the East Coast and West Coast, while a core of well-belo..

Stationary sources around the world will spend $11 billion in 2014 for capital equipment and consumables to control NOx. This is the latest projection in a report published by McIlvaine Co.The utility..

According to a new IHS Chemical global market research report, mounting consumer pressure and legislation, such as plastic bag bans and global warming initiatives, will increase demand for biodegradab..

Corrosion coating adds to petrochemical safetyPetrochemical plants are expected to remain safely and efficiently operational for decades, with little downtime and unplanned maintenance. To protect equ..

Fires and explosions are a growing liability concern for oil and gas industry professionals Oil and natural gas industry operations managers and health and safety managers, as well as plant and f..

Portable gas-detection test and calibration station saves time and money in industrial applications The Dräger X-dock device is claimed to provide automatic bump tests, calibration, reduced ..

International Refining and Petrochemical Conference (IRPC) 2013New Delhi is an international city with numerous attractions. It is the home of the Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India. The c..