Environment & Safety
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.
Prevent human-created hazards with improved job safety analysis
Safety incidents have occurred since the beginning of time. If a “hunter-gatherer” failed to return at the end of a day, the remaining group members took it in stride.
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.
A deeper examination of thermal expansion issues in process equipment and piping
Piping and process equipment that operate at high temperatures experience thermal expansion. If free thermal expansion is restrained, mechanical stresses are created within the component.
API: New safety standards enhance industry equipment, operations
WASHINGTON – The American Petroleum Institute’s Global Industry Services department (API Global) released two new safety standards: API Standard 16AR—Standard for Repair and Remanufacture of Drill-through Equipment and API Standard 18LCM—Product Life Cycle Management System Requirements for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries.
US pipeline regulator raises penalties for safety violations
HOUSTON (Reuters) -- The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on Friday said it increased the maximum civil penalties that may be imposed for violations of federal pipeline safety laws.
Daimler says diesel probes could result in penalties, recalls
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- Daimler on Wednesday reiterated that recent steps by United States authorities to investigate diesel emissions pollution and so-called auxiliary emission control devices could lead to significant penalties and vehicle recalls.
Dow releases statement on AP story regarding chlorpyrifos
MIDLAND, Mich. – Dow Chemical responded to an Associated Press story about the company reaching out to the Trump administration about certain pesticides. The company released the following statement.
Iraq completes repairs at Basra oil jetty, loading operations resume
BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) -- Repair work at a Basra oil jetty damaged by a tanker collision last month were completed on Sunday, two officials at state-run South Oil Company told Reuters on Monday.
Nitrous gases briefly released at BASF plant after breakdown
BERLIN (Reuters) -- German chemicals company BASF said it had shut down one of its facilities at its main Ludwigshafen site after a breakdown at the facility led to a brief release of nitrous gases (NOx).

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