Economics
Set refinery profitability goals
While the ultimate purpose of operating a refinery is to produce gasoline, diesel or asphalt, key objectives include improving return on investment (ROI), net profitability and cash flow.
Executive Viewpoint: Trends in the global process furnace market
Whether it is heating process fluids to achieve enough temperature in crude atmospheric and vacuum distillation units, or reaction temperatures inside furnace tubes to produce ethylene, vinyl chloride monomer, synthetic gas and continuous catalytic reformer reactors, or simple process heating (thermal fluid), process furnaces play a critical role in refineries and petrochemical complexes.
Risk: Navigating energy volatility: Understanding the principles of commodity risk management
The persistent volatility of energy prices is well known, and sustained price movements have fueled a boom-and-bust cycle in different energy sectors for decades.
Petrochemicals: DME market outlook impacted by clean fuels demand, diesel emissions
As environmental concerns emerging from the incessant consumption of fuels have gripped the attention of global leaders, energy producers have been developing cleaner fuel alternatives for use in domestic and commercial settings.
Editorial Comment: The true essence of optimization
What is the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word optimization?
Industry Metrics
In the US, continued gasoline–related tightening exerted upside pressure on prices, despite improvement in refinery throughputs as refineries returned online.
Industry Perspectives: What topics do you want to hear about?
Throughout Hydrocarbon Processing’s 97 yr of publishing technical material for the refining and petrochemical industries, the journal has focused on numerous topics to optimize downstream processing facility operations.
The new normal in petrochemical revamp projects
You have made the decision to increase plant capacity—with a change in feed—in the existing facility.
Welded plate heat exchangers cut refinery process costs—Part 2
Plate-and-frame (P&F) heat exchangers were first manufactured 100 yr ago for use in the dairy industry.
Committee to decide fate of idled refinery
An advisory committee will decide the future of a 209,000-barrel-per-day refinery that remains idled amid sanctions on the operator.

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- Foundation Alloy debuts Molyclast—A new standard in high-performance refractory alloys 8/26