Polymers
Ethylbenzene plant debottleneck with a high-activity transalkylation catalyst
Modern commercial ethylbenzene (EB) plants use liquid-phase alkylation processes with zeolite catalysts to achieve high product yields.
Editorial Comment: Optimization: Advancing the industry’s evolution and benefits to the masses
Optimization—the action of making the best or most effective use of a situation or resource—is not a term that the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) takes lightly: it is a way of life.
Industry Perspectives
This month, <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> will be hosting two events—one to showcase the latest in processing technologies in the refining and petrochemicals markets, and the other to provide an update on the latest trends, initiatives and capital project investments in the global hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI).
Show Preview: IRPC Process Technology
IRPC Process Technology: The latest advancements in process technologies
Industry Perspectives: Will capital investments increase in 2021 and beyond?
Over the past several years, the world witnessed a significant increase in downstream capacity growth in all sectors of the hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI). However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in demand for transportation fuels and certain petrochemical value chains.
Industry Perspectives
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) is steadily advancing through the energy transition.
Editorial Comment: Petrochemicals: Changing technologies and configurations to satisfy future demand
For nearly a decade, capital investments in new petrochemical capacity have skyrocketed. This
Double-suction centrifugal compressor in ethylene plant inlet piping design
Centrifugal compressors are designed with different suction nozzle orientations and impeller layouts in casing.
A novel polymerization retarder with boosted performance and improved handling characteristics
Styrene monomer production plants continually face a need to slow polymerization rates in the purification section of the production process to increase monomer production rates, reduce polymerization/fouling and tar formation, and protect against equipment plugging, especially in the event of unplanned shutdowns.
Best practices for pygas-based styrene extraction
Pyrolysis gasoline (pygas) is a by-produced fraction of hydrocarbons generated from a steam cracker.

- China's Wanhua Chemical starts operation at new east China cracker 4/4
- Brookfield Infrastructure announces the acquisition of Colonial Enterprises for $9 B 4/4
- PBF restarts some units at Martinez refinery after February fire; fire-damaged units remain shut 4/4
- Japan to curb gasoline prices from June to cushion U.S. tariff blow 4/4
- Evonik presents innovative "Debonding on Demand" concept for more sustainable bonding 4/3
- Oil, gas and refined product imports exempted from Trump’s sweeping tariffs 4/3