Environment & Safety
Motiva FCCU at Texas refinery shut for two more weeks after unsuccessful restart
A fluidic catalytic cracker unit (FCCU) at Motiva Enterprises' refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, is expected to remain shut for two weeks after a second unsuccessful restart attempt over the weekend.
Cenovus refinery in Ohio (U.S.), plans to shut multiple units for 6 weeks for maintenance
Cenovus will begin planned maintenance work on multiple units at its 160,000-bpd refinery in Toledo, Ohio in mid April.
Refractory lining reliability challenges in hydrogen-fueled process fired heaters
This article provides an overview of the potential impact of H2-rich fuel firing on refractory integrity and suggests safeguards to mitigate challenges. While this article discusses refractory issues in process fired heaters, the information presented can be broadly applicable to fired equipment where a flame is present.
Methods for increasing the heat transfer rate on steam condensation surfaces
Traditional systems rely on filmwise condensation for heat transfer; however, for large energy consumers, dropwise condensation will help improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce steam consumption and carbon footprint. This can be achieved through water treatment technologies—specifically the dropwise condensation technology—that help facilities increase productivity and reliability while reducing energy consumption.
Motiva Texas refinery (U.S.) preparing second attempt to restart FCCU
Motiva Enterprises is preparing a second attempt to restart the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker-3 (FCC-3) at its 626,000-bpd Port Arthur, Texas refinery.
BASF, Forestal collaborate on advanced e-methanol production using OASE® technology
BASF and Forestal have signed an early disclosure agreement aimed at advancing the production of e-methanol through carbon capture solutions. Under this strategic partnership, BASF has been selected to share its proprietary OASE® blue technology for use in Forestal’s pioneering Triskelion project in Galicia, Spain.
Shell unveils market strategy during Capital Markets Day
During Shell’s Capital Markets Day 2025, it unveiled the next steps in the execution of its strategy. Shell is strengthening its commitment to value creation and maintaining its focus on performance, discipline and simplification.
Mitsubishi Chemical Group to license its N-vinylformamide technology for SNF's new plant in France
Mitsubishi Chemical Group will provide its N-vinylformamide manufacturing technology at SNF Group's new plant in Dunkirk, France.
Clariant's EnviCat N2O-S catalyst significantly mitigates N2O emissions at GNFC's nitric acid plant in India
Clariant's EnviCat N2O-S catalyst has reduced nitrous oxide emissions equivalent to 44,000 t/month CO2eq at Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited's nitric acid facility in Gujarat, India
HIMA’s Smart Safety Test supports BASF new Verbund Site in Zhanjiang
BASF’s largest new construction project in China, the Zhanjiang Verbund Site Project (ZVSP), requires high personnel and time expenditures for tests, especially factory acceptance tests (FATs), integration factory acceptance test (IFATs) and loop tests. To reduce these efforts, BASF has opted for the HIMA Smart Safety Test, an integral part of SILworX®, HIMA’s engineering, diagnostics and test tool that enables a flexible, automated test concept over the entire lifecycle of a safety system.
- Petrobras delivers LPG sold at steep premiums despite Lula move to annul auction 4/3
- Plug Power to supply 275-MW GenEco electrolyzer system for Hy2gen’s Courant decarbonized ammonium nitrate project 4/3
- Vietnam refinery boosting jet fuel production 4/3
- China plans to upgrade some petrochemical plants, phase out others by 2029 4/3
- Morocco has diesel stocks for 51 days, energy ministry says 4/3
- Nigeria's Seplat Energy hit by strike amid push for higher output 4/3
