Engineering & Design
Enhance operation and reliability of dividing-wall columns
Dividing wall columns (DWCs) are an attractive option when the goals are to reduce energy consumption and capital investment for distillation processes. A major component in a DWC system is the reflux..
Optimize vacuum ejector operations
Vacuum distillation unit (VDU) designs generally involve jet ejectors due to their low capital and operating expenses, high reliability, durability and simplicity. Once the ejector is installed and co..
HP Reliability: Manage your time constructively
We often view ourselves as very efficient reliability implementers. Yet, as professional engineers, we take action to save time, accomplish more and reduce stress by applying better time-management sk..
HP Integration Strategies: Asset information management improves life cycle benefits for equipment
Traditionally, the various production management and asset management systems in the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) and other heavy industries resided in silos with separate management, archite..
HP Viewpoint: Consider integral-gear compressors in CO2 services
In 1998, the author began researching suitable technology for compressing 95 MMSCFD of “bone dry” (–100°F dew point) carbon dioxide (CO2) from 16.7 psia to 2,710 psia. The compress..
HP Engineering Case Histories: Case 72: Interaction between disciplines when troubleshooting
When troubleshooting, we can become fixated on the discipline that we are most familiar—in the author’s case, mechanical engineering. Investigating the failure of a machine may have a group ..
HP Industry Perspectives: US-based ultra-low-sulfur gasoline rule released
In late March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the long-awaited ruling for ultra-low-sulfur gasoline, also known as the Tier 3 rule. This proposed rule lowers the sulfur content ..
HP Impact: US demand for corrosion inhibitors to reach $2.5 billion
US demand for corrosion inhibitors is forecast to rise 4.1% per year to $2.5 billion in 2017, with volume demand approaching 1.7 billion pounds (Table 1). Growth will be driven by higher oil and natur..
CB&I licenses process technology for new China acid alkylation project
The alkylation unit, the first of its kind in China, will use the AlkyClean process technology partnered by CB&I's technology operating group, Albemarle and Neste Oil. It is expected to be capable of producing 100,000 tpy of alkylate. The project is scheduled for startup in early 2014.
ICA Fluor wins work to expand DuPont titanium dioxide plant in Mexico
ICA Fluor will be responsible for the construction, construction management and material management services for the TiO2 production facility. It is scheduled for completion in 2015.
- Transitional Industries and CFEnergia sign feedstock supply contract for $3.3-B Pacifico Mexinol project 2/17
- Neste and World Fuel Services extend partnership, expanding SAF availability at more than 100 airports in Europe 2/17
- U.S. refined product exports by tanker increase to > 6.3 MMbpd in January 2/17
- Japan's oil and gas independence climbs to highest since 2009 2/17
- Dangote signs $400-MM equipment deal with China's XCMG to speed up refinery expansion 2/17
- Former Lukoil-owned ISAB refinery in Sicily exits crisis procedure 2/17
