Environment
Hazardous area classification compliance: Focus on communication
On November 30, 2013, an explosion and fire occurred at the UCB Farchim SA site in Switzerland. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities occurred.
Best practices in boiler maintenance and replacement
Refineries cannot afford a sudden boiler failure (FIG. 1). Regularly assessing the condition of boilers is vital.
Improving resource efficiency of industrial processes with the TOP-REF methodology—Part 2
The European TOP-REF research consortium has developed and applied a methodology to improve the resource efficiency of industrial production processes.
Welded plate heat exchangers cut refinery process costs—Part 1
Plate and frame (P&F) heat exchangers were first manufactured 100 yr ago for use in the dairy industry.
AI: How AI and machine learning benefit refineries and petrochemical plants
Embedding machines with artificial intelligence (AI) allows them to learn from their past experiences.
Editorial Comment: IRPC EurAsia—A roadmap to advancing ideas
According to the editors of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing,</i> the downstream processing industry will witness substantial growth in new refining, petrochemical and gas processing/LNG capacities over the next several years.
Onsite
Steve Elliott, Senior Director of Marketing, Schneider Electric, explained how Triconex safety solutions can help to actively manage the profitability of process operations at Triconex’s User Group event.
Extended vapor cloud analysis methodology—Part 2
The Buncefield explosion in the UK was the worst post-World War 2 fire/explosion incident.
Improving resource efficiency of industrial processes with TOP-REF methodology—Part 1
The processing industry consumes significant amounts of resources, such as materials and energy, to produce valuable goods for society.
Details on high-impact refining and petrochemical projects presently under construction, as chosen by HP editors and readers
The global hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) continues to expand and modernize to efficiently meet growing demand for energy, transportation fuels and petrochemicals.

- CNOOC completes construction on $2.9-B, 1.8-MMtpy integrated complex in east China 8/22
- bp's Whiting refinery (U.S.) continues to flare days after severe thunderstorm 8/22
- Bachmann introduces latest version M-Target for Simulink 8/22
- U.S. to rule on biofuel waivers, but big oil refiners may need to wait 8/22
- Chinese independent refiner Hongrun buys Canadian, Brazilian crude 8/22
- Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia 8/22