Equipment
Editorial Comment: It’s all in the makeup of things
This issue of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> features a topic that has been addressed in sections of the magazine for several decades, but has never been a focal point of the publication. That topic is materials manufacturing.
Use your data to its full potential to prevent outages
In a process plant, the safety system is responsible for the protection of personnel, resources and the environment, by taking the plant to a safe state in the event of a fault. However, is the system capable of contributing more to the plant’s uptime and profitability?
Consider pitot tube pumps for low-flow, high-head applications
Low-flow, high-head pumping requirements in refining and petrochemical plants make up less than 2% of the total pump population. This minor percentage is creating significant reliability concerns, which result in low mean-time between failures (MTBF), as well as high maintenance costs.
Reliability: Dry gas sealing technology replaces segmented carbon rings in small steam turbines
Since the late 1800s, small steam turbines have incorporated bushing-type, single-piece and/or segmented carbon gland components to reduce and prevent steam leakage along the shaft.
Migrating from Fortran to ISA S-88
A major refiner operates two catalytic reforming units for gasoline octane improvement and aromatics production in Texas. In each of these units, five reactors filled with catalyst are operated continuously in series to reform paraffinic hydrocarbons in the presence of hydrogen (H2). During this process, some byproduct coke is unavoidably produced and deposits on the catalyst, which leads to gradual catalyst deactivation.
Advancing export terminal technology: An optimized process for the refrigeration of cryogenic hydrocarbons
Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.
Maximizing energy efficiency in paraxylene production—Part 2
Due to reduced margins, higher energy costs and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide content, energy efficiency has never been more important in refining and petrochemicals. This is particularly true in the modern aromatics complex, which produces paraxylene (pX), benzene and other aromatics from naphtha.
Case histories of amine plant equipment corrosion problems–Part 2
Past corrosion incidents provide insight into the causes of corrosion and the preventive actions required to protect plant equipment and reduce costly plant downtime.
Incorporate assurance into an operational readiness program—Part 1
This two-part article will examine how to address common issues on large projects, and how to make an ordered, structured transition in a systematic and repeatable way.<sup>a</sup>
Construction—The cornerstone of a successful project
Construction is essentially a cyclical business.
- YPF, Eni and XRG sign joint development agreement advancing 12-MMtpy Argentina LNG project 2/12
- Maire launches new technology to produce PTMEG, the key polymer composing the spandex fiber. 2/12
- Verde Clean Fuels announces suspension of development of Permian Basin gas-to-gasoline project 2/12
- Vietnam's largest refinery to operate at 120%-125% of designed capacity in Q1 2/12
- Indonesia's Medco expansion plans bet on rising energy demand in Southeast Asia 2/12
- Brazil to rebuild ethanol stocks in new harvest after 21% drop in 2025-2026 2/12
