Reactors
Motiva FCCU at Texas refinery shut for two more weeks after unsuccessful restart
A fluidic catalytic cracker unit (FCCU) at Motiva Enterprises' refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, is expected to remain shut for two weeks after a second unsuccessful restart attempt over the weekend.
Dow Chemical, X-energy to advance nuclear project at Dow's Seadrift chemicals facility (U.S.)
Dow Chemical and X-Energy Reactor Co. announced the submission of a construction permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a proposed advanced nuclear project in Seadrift, Texas (U.S.)
Cenovus refinery in Ohio (U.S.), plans to shut multiple units for 6 weeks for maintenance
Cenovus will begin planned maintenance work on multiple units at its 160,000-bpd refinery in Toledo, Ohio in mid April.
Refractory lining reliability challenges in hydrogen-fueled process fired heaters
This article provides an overview of the potential impact of H2-rich fuel firing on refractory integrity and suggests safeguards to mitigate challenges. While this article discusses refractory issues in process fired heaters, the information presented can be broadly applicable to fired equipment where a flame is present.
Methods for increasing the heat transfer rate on steam condensation surfaces
Traditional systems rely on filmwise condensation for heat transfer; however, for large energy consumers, dropwise condensation will help improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce steam consumption and carbon footprint. This can be achieved through water treatment technologies—specifically the dropwise condensation technology—that help facilities increase productivity and reliability while reducing energy consumption.
Scaling pyrolysis: A critical step toward plastic circularity
Pyrolysis has potential to process hard-to-recycle plastics and expand the scope of recycling, but scaling up pyrolysis to meet global demand remains a significant challenge. From technical optimization to creating market confidence, addressing these barriers is essential if pyrolysis is to reduce plastic pollution and advance circularity.
LLDPE/HDPE swing technology platform
This article highlights and compares the various technology platforms available to provide technical insight into the selection of the best LLDPE/HDPE platform for a given facility. A high-level overview of the various technology platforms is provided based on open-source available data and the authors’ years of technical and operating experience.
Motiva Texas refinery (U.S.) preparing second attempt to restart FCCU
Motiva Enterprises is preparing a second attempt to restart the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker-3 (FCC-3) at its 626,000-bpd Port Arthur, Texas refinery.
Vast secures A$700,000-grant from Australia-Singapore Initiative to progress South Australia sustainable fuels project
HyFuel Solar Refinery Pty. Ltd, a subsidiary of Vast Renewables Ltd. (Vast), has been awarded A$700,000 through the Australia-Singapore Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET) initiative for maritime and port operations.
Universal Fuel Technologies’ pilot demonstrates new sustainable aviation fuel production pathways
During a five-month pilot, the company demonstrated that its Flexiforming technology can produce high-quality 100% synthetic SAF from multiple renewable feedstocks.

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