Refining
History of the HPI: The 1950s: Capacity expansion, HDPE/PP, polycarbonate, computers and rocket science
The 1950s marked an evolution in the use of oil by nations around the world.
Accelerating and expanding process control benefits
Advanced industrial data analytics has a prominent role to play in process control and automation.
Investigation and diagnosis of startup foaming issues at a new tail gas treater
In May 2021, Phillips 66 started up a new methyl diethanolamine (MDEA)-based tail gas unit at its Belle Chasse, Louisiana, refinery.
Raising the alarm: Understanding the operator’s perspective on refinery process alarms
As refineries and petrochemical complexes worldwide are moving toward more automated operations, plant operators are increasingly becoming dependent on process alarms for safe, smooth and continuous operation.
The EPC executive’s challenge and opportunity: Navigating the sustainability shift in capital projects
According to an industry report published by McKinsey and Co., accelerating the decarbonization of the U.S. economy to achieve net-zero targets by 2050 will require approximately $275 T of cumulative capital spending over the next 30 yr.1
Industry Perspectives: 1Q project announcements this year down vs. 1Q 2021
New capital project announcements are down 27% in 1Q 2022 vs. 1Q 2021.
Editorial Comment: Advancing maintenance ultimately leads to increased reliability
This year, <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Throughout this year, the editors are publishing excerpts from past issues.
Global Project Data
Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database is tracking nearly 1,100 projects around the world, totaling more than $1.8 T in active capital project investments.
Rotating equipment oil systems optimization guideline
The industry is moving away from oil shaft seals and hydraulic speed control for turbines to advanced alternatives.
Sustainability: Staying ahead of environmental, social and governance goals
Investing in firms that champion environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues (TABLE 1) has been discussed for decades but is now moving to the forefront of corporate initiatives.

- Ionikylation unit at PetroChina's Dagang refinery reaches 1,000 days of continuous operation 5/12
- thyssenkrupp Uhde successfully commissions EnviNOx® emission reduction system for Covestro’s NAUCI project in China 5/12
- Univation Technologies announces world-scale 800,000-tpy design capacity for UNIPOL™ PE process technology 5/12
- Traders rebrand Venezuelan oil for China as Brazilian 5/12
- British bioethanol industry faces 'existential' threat after U.S. trade deal, producers say 5/12
- Copersucar revenue to grow by $1.5 B after Eco-Energy deal with Green Plains 5/12