Refining
Review of the CSB report on the 2010 Tesoro refinery fire
On April 2, 2010, a catastrophic fire occurred within the naphtha hydrotreating unit in the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. The final CSB report, including recommendations, was issued in May 2014, more than four years after the incident that resulted in the tragic loss of seven lives. This work critically reviews the CSB analysis of this incident and several of its resulting recommendations.
Design operations-and-maintenance-friendly pressure vessels—Part 2
In Part 1 of this article, the assistance provided by standardizations to gain improved vessel performance—vessel outer diameter (OD), component metallurgies, manways and saddles—was discussed.
Improve refinery profitability by processing low-value streams in a diesel hydrotreater
Global demand for middle distillates, especially diesel, is increasing.
Identify and correct coke drum foundation bolt failures
Coke drums in many operating plants experience foundation bolt failures.
Reduce industrial energy bills through improved combustion control
The last few years have been an extremely challenging period for the oil industry due to the adverse global economic environment and the impact of unfavorable external factors.
Case study: Plan and execute a coke drum replacement project
The delayed coking unit is a critical part of a refinery’s crude oil process flow and profitability.
People
Honeywell UOP president and CEO Rebecca Liebert has been named by Profiles in Diversity Journal as a winner of its 15th annual Women Worth Watching Awards.
Innovations
Petron Bataan Refinery (PBR) is the largest integrated crude oil refinery and petrochemicals complex in the Philippines.
Saudi Aramco and partners’ CAN-15 recognized with JPI award
Saudi Aramco and its research and development (R&D) collaboration partner, JGC Catalysts and Chemicals—a leading catalyst developer and manufacturer in Japan— have been awarded the Japan Petroleum Institute (JPI) 2015 International Technology Exchange Award.
Honeywell UOP introduces expanded range of hydrotreating catalysts
Honeywell UOP has expanded its portfolio of hydrotreating catalysts, which are used to remove impurities and contaminants from petroleum and other refining feedstocks to produce cleaner-burning gasoline and diesel that meet new global emissions regulations.

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