Refining
Industry Metrics
A lack of gasoline export opportunities amid increasing inflows of middle distillates impacted the European market. Stronger US domestic gasoline demand and falling inventories ahead of the transition to summer-grade quality supported refinery margins. The Asia market was impacted by a stronger domestic gasoline demand amid an upcoming switch to summer grades.
Business Trends: Human reliability—a disruptive innovation
Annual bottom-line losses due to equipment failures total more than $100 MM at major refineries and petrochemical complexes. Corporate executives charge plant personnel with improving the reliability of the facility.
Editorial Comment: Maintenance—a value-added expense
This issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> tackles one of the most integral aspects of the downstream industry (or any industry, for that matter): maintenance and reliability. These two terms go hand-in-hand and help to ensure efficient and safe operations.
Installation of liquid sulfur degassing processes in existing SRUs
Over the last 35 yr, more companies worldwide have installed liquid sulfur degassing processes in their sulfur recovery units (SRUs) to minimize the dangers of the release of hydrogen sulfide from the produced elemental sulfur.
Improve energy efficiency with enhanced bundles in tubular heat exchangers
From 2008 to date, 45 twisted tube heat exchangers and bundles have been installed at BAYERNOIL refineries in different units and services, allowing higher heat recovery and contributing to BAYERNOIL’s energy targets.
Industry Perspectives: Hydrocarbon Processing’s IRPC returns to Europe in June
Founded in 2009, Gulf Publishing Company and Hydrocarbon Processing’s International Refining and Petrochemical Conference (IRPC) provides a series of events for the international downstream industry covering technical innovations, and exploring both the challenges and opportunities found in today’s market.
Recommended practices for fired process heater instrumentation and control
Fired process heaters are one of the most critical pieces of equipment within many refinery and petrochemical facilities. Proper instrumentation and control of the equipment has direct bearing on the successful operation of the process, as well as on overall facility process safety.
Embracing MACs: A better way of executing automation projects
Historically, automation projects have been executed as single-transaction projects. Often, individual projects, along with phases within a given project, are bid with the potential for new vendors and different engineering teams.
Shell completes sale of Motiva assets to Saudi Aramco
HOUSTON -- Royal Dutch Shell plc announced the completion of the transaction for the separation of assets, liabilities and businesses of Motiva Enterprises LLC. As announced when the definitive agreements were signed, the separation is as follows:
Canadian refinery reusing 100% of water with GE wastewater treatment technology
TREVOSE, PA. — Federated Co-Operatives Limited’s Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina, Saskatchewan, was named Industrial Water Project of the Year at the annual Global Water Awards. The award recognizes the project, commissioned in 2016, that represents the most impressive technical or environmental achievement in the field of industrial water.
- Johnson Matthey chosen by Liquid Sunshine for new biomethanol fuel plant in China 4/27
- ADNOC receives 6th LNG carrier in $1.2-B fleet order from Jiangnan Shipyard in China 4/27
- Evonik becomes membrane technology partner for public-private biogas upgrader in Asia 4/27
- EAGA to build $10-B, 1-MMtpy green ammonia facility in Egypt 4/27
- Indian Oil Corp. says diesel, gasoline sales up more than 13% in Apr 1–21 4/27
- Burckhardt Compression wins several orders for LNG terminals in Thailand and Taiwan 4/27
