Petrochemicals

The benefits of unmanned aerial vehicles in plant inspection services

As the technology surrounding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones (FIG. 1), continues to advance, so too do the ways they are used.

Global Project Data

According to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i>’s Construction Boxscore Database, more than 320 new projects have been announced in the downstream processing industry over the past year.

Business Trends

Across the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI), executives are buzzing about operational excellence.

Maintenance: Improving plant performance by changing a maintenance culture

Over the last 2 yr, the plant maintenance department (PMD) at Eastman Chemical Co.’s Longview, Texas site produced these significant improvements to plant performance.

Editorial Comment: HP Top Projects awards are back!

It’s that time again! <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> has announced the nominees for its annual Top Project awards.

Fouling mitigation strategies for process gas compressors in olefins plants

Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals’ olefins plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria is designed to produce 300,000 tpy of polymer-grade ethylene and 126,000 tpy of polymer-grade propylene through the pyrolysis or thermal cracking of natural gas liquids (NGL).

Integrating fire and gas safety with process control systems: Why, what and how

If a fire, smoke or gas leak is detected in a hydrocarbon processing facility, prescriptive actions must be taken by the fire and gas (F&G) safety system, as well as by the process control system (PCS), to mitigate and control the hazard.

People

BCCK Holding Co. (BCCK) has appointed Bob Swann as Director of project management and controls.

Innovations

Industry Metrics

US margins recorded losses as crack spreads declined for all products except fuel oil, despite lower refinery crude intakes.