March 2015

Frequent failures of the waste spray nozzles in incinerators result in accelerated degradation of the refractory lining, requiring unscheduled shutdowns for repairs. A study was carried out to identify the factors that contributed to the nozzle failure and to prevent the reoccurrence of similar failures in the future.

Intensifying performance demands in refineries, coupled with the ongoing decline in crude oil quality, require a new and improved duplex SS grade to withstand increasingly tough operating conditions. This need has led to the development of hyper-duplex stainless steels.

The findings and analysis herein confirm that HDSS can extend material performance levels beyond existing SDSS grades, thereby reducing maintenance requirements and unplanned shutdowns for more productive and cost-effective operations.

Fired heaters or “process furnaces” are used extensively by the refining and petrochemical industries. These heat transfer units generate the much needed process energy through the combustio..

An air-burning system should be designed so that there is no maintenance required between scheduled shutdowns every two years. To achieve this, a metal temperature study should be carried out for the design of the pressure parts and for the refractory design.

Latter-model vehicles and new automotive engine designs now require higher-quality lubrication oils, such as Groups II and III. Demand for Group II/III base oils is increasing. To capitalize on the gr..

The abundance of shale oils is an unexpected gift for US refiners. These new crude oils have different characteristics from conventional oils that will affect refining processes and the operation of p..

The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process is a well-established technology used by complex refineries. It is a key profit center, as the FCC unit (FCCU) has the flexibility to produce transportation ..

Dry containment seals have gained popularity over the last few decades and provided reliable service. The refinery sector has used this sealing technology to limit fugitive emissions in a cost-effecti..

The outlook is optimistic for downstream companies. Independent refiners are positive on present and future demand for transportation fuels.

Most engineers are familiar with adhesive-coated insulating tape used by electricians in the field and maintenance shop. If we use this tape in the engine compartment of an automobile, it will soon be..

Beginning in July 2014, the world began to witness a widespread fall in crude oil prices. With the decrease in global crude oil prices, what has this meant for new project announcements in the downstream sector?

Periodically, this author receives questions from readers throughout the world addressing what performance issues could be wrong with a centrifugal compressor that is vibrating. Note: It is impossible..

The trajectory of refined product balances in Latin America and the Caribbean is changing. With demand growth slowing and throughput expected to rise by 2020, the region’s combined deficits for p..

The November 15 chemical leak at DuPont’s plant in La Porte, Texas was the company’s third fatal US accident in five years and the deadliest of them all. The blast took the lives of four wor..

There are many situations and circumstances when it makes good sense to pursue energy efficiency for industrial processes. But when is the best time for such action?Better operating practicesIn existi..

In mid-February, BP released its outlook for the next 20 years. As reminded by BP’s new chief economist, Spencer Dale, the outlook is a projection of what is most likely to occur based on the inf..

Labor union strike affecting US refining industryThere is no end in sight to the United Steelworkers Union (USW) strike affecting several US refineries. The USW has filed unfair labor practices charge..

The global market is experiencing a potential temporary recovery from a prolonged decline, possibly followed by the continuation of the downtrend. This is reflected in continued growth in the US tight..

Corrosion prevention for high-TAN refiningFor petroleum refiners, improving profitability by processing high-total-acid-number (high-TAN) crude oils requires an investment in high-temperature corrosio..

The Gas Processors Association (GPA) has hired Matthew Hite as VP of government affairs to lead GPA’s federal advocacy activities and open the GPA Office of Federal Affairs in Washington, DC.

Enerfab Inc. has launched a new website representing its current and future perspective to provide best-in-class service to customers in the chemical, petrochemical, power and other industries.

Read, reference, run and refine with API9The American Petroleum Institute (API) Technical Data Book, Ninth Edition (API9), is the only API standard that is completely interactive. Users can read the s..

Hydrocarbon Processing invited major catalyst companies and industry consultants to share their insights regarding innovations and trends for new catalytic technologies.Challenges to be solved“As..