Maintenance & Reliability
Why robotic process automation is quickly becoming a must for downstream companies
For the refining operation that wants to relieve its planning team of mind-numbing manual data-management tasks, there are bots for that.
History of the HPI: The 1930s: Catalytic cracking, polyethylene, synthetic fibers, resins and jet engines
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) has a rich history of discovery, challenges, breakthroughs, trial and error, collaboration and success. <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> continues its reflection on the history of the HPI.
Engineering Case Histories: Case 115: A method for analyzing catastrophic type failures
A portion of my consulting career involved investigating catastrophic type failures on machines, pressure vessels and structures in the industry.
Reliability: Resourcefulness solves problems
In the now almost 32 yr since this monthly column was first published, we have had more than a few occasions to highlight the pitfalls of trial-and-error solutions in plants that process toxic, flammable or explosive materials.
Business Trends: Protecting OT environments against targeted cyber attacks
Digitalization and Industry 4.0 initiatives require tight integration between complex, heterogeneous and highly complex industrial control systems (ICS) and enterprise information technology (IT).
Editorial Comment: Adoption of digital technologies is a mainstay in the HPI
A few years ago, <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> started to include digital technologies in its monthly article focus.
Valves, Pumps and Turbomachinery: Be cautious with systems that are not foolproof
Mechanical systems, especially rotary equipment, are designed to support easy maintenance jobs with less complexity and low chances of incorrect installation.
HP Flashback: Advancing processing technologies and refining operations: Excerpts from the 1920s
The following is a mixture of technical articles, columns and headlines published in the 1920s by <i>The Refiner and Natural Gasoline Manufacturer</i>, the forerunner to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i>.
Construction
Eni plans to launch its 3.4-MMtpy FLNG vessel offshore Mozambique this year. The Coral Sul FLNG vessel is being built by Samsung Heavy Industries.
Sustainability through efficiency: A plan for the refining industry
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions will decrease through 2050 in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries (OECD), which includes the U.S.<sup>1</sup>
- ABB introduces Unification X to enable seamless control room integration 4/23
- South Africa's Sasol aims for green jet fuel exports to EU 4/23
- Update: bp lockout at Indiana (U.S.) refinery stretches into second month as union talks stall 4/23
- Russia to stop Kazakh oil flows to German PCK refinery via Druzhba 4/23
- Kenya, Tanzania and neighbors discuss joint refinery as Dangote offers to build it 4/23
- Asia deepens refining cuts due to Iran war, putting diesel and jet fuel supplies at risk 4/23
