Refining
Debottlenecking of an extractive distillation column for aromatics recovery: Effect of feed pre-vaporization
Extractive distillation is one of the most efficient techniques to separate aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbons by increasing the relative volatility of the mixture in the presence of a solvent.
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.
Process Controls, Instrumentation and Automation: Reduce maintenance costs by optimizing pressure transmitter calibration intervals
Pressure instrumentation is crucial for the functionality and safety of hydrocarbon processing facilities worldwide.
Executive Viewpoint: What is the future for the HPI?
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> sat down with Helion Sardina (HS), Chief Commercial Officer, Lummus Technology.
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.
Case study: Challenges in the selection of a helical baffled exchanger
In a greenfield project, a proprietary heat exchanger<sup>a</sup> has been found to be preferable to conventional shell-and-tube (S&T) exchangers to optimize the total lifecycle cost (i.e., capital, operating, installation and maintenance costs).
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.
Web-based software for predicting crude compatibility and optimization for increasing heavy oil processing
Refineries in oil-importing nations typically process a blend of crude oils, rather than a single crude oil, to ensure that an optimum product mix can be obtained at the minimum costs.
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.
- Syensqo signs new multi-year Solef® PVDF contracts for battery materials 5/15
- Topsoe’s technology chosen by Zhongneng Yida for 400,000-tpy SAF plant in China 5/15
- Phillips 66 announces agreement to divest majority interest in Germany and Austria retail marketing business 5/15
- Carbon Clean announces successful test of CycloneCC C1 technology at commercial scale 5/15
- Asia's refined fuel imports drop, but margins still hold 5/15
- SP Chemicals plans to raise ethane use at eastern China petchem plant 5/15
