Distillation
Review steam system designs to accelerate chemical industry decarbonization
Industrial steam systems range from simple systems comprising a low-pressure single steam user to a complex system with multiple pressure levels, multiple generators and multiple users integrated with an onsite cogeneration facility. This article will present the typical CO2 emissions estimates for chemical and petrochemical facilities and describe options available to reduce these emissions through additional heat integration, fuel switching, and the use of heat pumps and electric boilers.
The purification of benzoic acid using dividing wall columns
In one recent project for a customer based in Asia, the authors’ company suggested the combination of distillation and crystallization techniques to obtain high-quality purified benzoic acid. Encouraged by the successful startup of this processing train, the customer began to schedule a second project. The authors’ company was asked to optimize the purification process to improve cost and operational efficiencies. The two existing columns, which remove lights and heavies, respectively, from the crude benzoic acid feedstock were investigated to identify key opportunities. The feasibility study based on the feed composition confirmed that the existing columns could be converted into a single dividing wall column (DWC).
The attractive market opportunity for synthetic graphite: Graphite as an energy transition material (4)
Given the attractive demand projection, investors must understand the benefits and return on investment for natural and synthetic graphite routes. This article establishes the pros and cons for each, and specifically highlights the emerging opportunity for upgrading and repurposing smaller petcoke units to needle coke units, therefore contributing to fulfilling the rising demand for synthetic graphite.
Wood to progress to FEED stage for EET Fuels Hydrogen Fuel Switching project in the UK
Wood has been awarded the front-end engineering design (FEED) stage of EET Fuels Hydrogen Fuel Switching project. Hydrogen (H2) will be provided by EET Hydrogen, the company’s co-located Track One low-carbon hydrogen production company.
Neste expands chemical recycling logistics infrastructure at its refinery in Porvoo, Finland
Neste is expanding its logistics infrastructure for liquefied recycled raw materials at its refinery in Porvoo, Finland, including materials such as liquefied waste plastic and liquefied rubber tires. Neste aims to advance chemical recycling and transform the Porvoo refinery into a renewable and circular solutions hub.
Shell Singapore shuts Bukom refinery units for maintenance
Shell Singapore has shut one crude distillation unit (CDU) and other facilities at its refinery on Bukom island for a scheduled overhaul.
Marathon to run refineries at 90% of combined capacity in Q3
U.S. crude oil refiner Marathon Petroleum plans to operate its 13 refineries at 90% of their combined 3 MMbpd capacity in the third quarter.
Brazil's JBS supplies animal waste for production of sustainable aviation fuel
Brazilian meatpacker is supplying animal waste from its operations abroad for the production of renewable aviation fuels and is studying a similar initiative in Brazil through the Friboi brand.
Drive efficiency and sustainability through process optimization
Business philosophies often stress the importance of continuous improvement to gain sustainable competitive advantages.
Decarbonizing steam crackers: Key technical challenges of transitioning from natural gas to hydrogen
In the petrochemical industry, olefin crackers utilize significant amounts of heat to crack hydrocarbons into essential chemicals, such as olefins and aromatics.
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