Process Optimization
Editorial Comment: The reemergence of a collaborative platform
Readers have witnessed that throughout the life of the publication, <i>Hydrocarbon Processing</i> has always published information on new technologies to increase efficiency, safety and profitability in downstream processing operations, while introducing techniques to decrease environmental footprint and emissions and produce high-quality, clean fuels and petroleum products for consumers around the world.
Process safety as a profit center?
In today’s economic environment, new capital spending is harder to find than loose change buried under the couch cushions.
Hydrocarbon Processing Awards
<i>Hydrocarbon Processing,</i> the downstream processing sector’s leading technical publication, has announced the winners for its second annual awards.
Find the best aromatics extraction system for industrial applications
Aromatics are fundamental petrochemical compounds used as raw materials to manufacture hundreds of polymers, solvents and additives; these, in turn, are used to make consumable products that people use every day.
Corrosion impact of the mixture of butanol-blended gasoline
The role of octane boosters on the corrosivity of petroleum products for gasoline/diesel engines has attracted more attention in the auto fuel market due to the depletion of fossil fuels in the world’s feedstock.
Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery reduces FCCU turnaround risk
Change involves risk. Many fluidized catalytic cracking units (FCCUs) can be operated more profitably, but changes to achieve more efficient operations can be risky.
A game-changing approach to furnace safeguarding
This work is a follow-up article to “Automate furnace controls to improve safety and energy efficiency,” which was published in the June 2014 edition of <i>Hydrocarbon Processing.</i>
Technical considerations for the Heydar Aliyev refinery revamp
The following case study describes the early development phases of SOCAR’s ongoing major revamp project at the Heydar Aliyev Refinery (HAR) in Baku, Azerbaijan, and its interface with the associated Azerikimya (AZK) steam cracking complex near Sumgait. References are made to the related SOCAR polymer project in Sumgayit, as well.
Additive solutions to SOx emissions in FCCUs
Sulfur oxide additives are typically based on hydrotalcite or magnesium aluminate spinel-type structures. Magnesium alumina is the pickup agent present in the most effective SO<sub>x</sub> additives on the market; therefore, to optimize SO<sub>x</sub> reduction, it is critical to maximize the amount of the critical magnesium component in the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) in an efficient and cost-effective way.
Business Trends: A strategic energy solution
Refining is the process of separating crude oil into different hydrocarbon groups through distillation.
- Phillips 66 greenlights new gas plant and fractionator projects, advancing integrated wellhead-to-market strategy 5/18
- OXEA and Air Liquide renew syngas and hydrogen supply agreement for Oberhausen site 5/18
- BASF boosts refinery catalyst innovation with new R&D center in Attapulgus, Georgia (U.S.) 5/18
- Aster and Puraglobe sign MoU to bring world-leading re-refining technology to Asia 5/18
- U.S. oil refiners finally profit from biofuels due to mandates, high fuel prices 5/18
- China's April oil throughput hits lowest since August 2022, inventories rise 5/18

