Refining
Consider using a main automation contractor for your next capital project
Based on the experience of execution, design, engineering and construction of an LNG complex in Asia, the author outlines key considerations that contribute to project success.
Accurate rate-based modeling of acid gas and mercaptan removal using hybrid solvents
Prediction of mercaptan removal from natural gas streams with liquid solvents presents significant challenges. Using an extensive experimental data collection campaign and recently improved thermodynamic models, an innovative solution has overcome these challenges and developed a rate-based model to accurately predict mercaptan removal performance.
Reducing energy costs while improving efficiency
Better energy management can make the difference between profit and losses. The question facing owner-operators is: how to reduce energy costs while satisfying site energy needs?
Europe’s downstream industry remains resilient
The European hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) is a complex set of refineries and petrochemical facilities distributed among several nations, all of which are critical to the international trading and economy of the EU.
Develop an optimal cleaning strategy for crude preheat trains
Fouling in heat exchangers is common throughout the process manufacturing industries. Fouling presents a large opportunity for owner-operators to reduce operating expenses and maintenance costs.
Update: Personnel changes introduce new considerations for PSM
Management of change (MOC) for process safety is well known, widely implemented and used by many employers, even when there is no regulatory requirement to do so, particularly in companies with complex and/or highly hazardous operations involving flammable, toxic chemicals and/or combustible dust.
Overcoming the challenges of the ‘great crew change’
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) is facing a daunting challenge in the near future: In the next five to seven years, approximately 50% of the workforce will retire in what many are calling the ‘great crew change.’ The next generation of engineers, operators, technicians and skilled workers must step up to continue the pursuit of technological innovations and industry growth.
HP Editorial Comment: Convergence of trends supports HPI opportunities
The downstream industry is halfway through 2015 and the second decade of the new millennium. Great changes have occurred over the past 12 months and five years. Change is not necessarily negative; in fact, it can be a welcome event.
HP Automation Strategies: Manufacturing execution systems can help ‘onboard’ the next generation of workers
Population dynamics, including the impending retirement of the “baby-boomer” generation of workers and the associated need to quickly “onboard” the next generation of workers in the downstream industries are driving new demand for collaborative production systems/manufacturing execution systems solutions.
HP Project Management: Consider a modular approach to constructing condensate splitters
Although the 1975 ban on crude oil exports remains in place, US oil producers have found more opportunities in shipping condensate both domestically and internationally. This practice is possible due to condensate splitters, which provide a workaround solution by separating crude oil into lighter byproducts. Because these lightly refined byproducts can be exported, investment in new condensate splitter capacity has grown.
- Eneos plans to shut Marifu CDU in mid-January for maintenance 12/26
- China's 2026 first batch fuel export quotas steady year on year 12/26
- Singapore fuel oil stockpiles rise to two-week high 12/26
- Asia refinery 2025–2026 maintenance/outages 12/26
- Serbia's NIS gets U.S. approval to negotiate sale of Russian stake 12/26
- India's Reliance gets one-month US concession to buy Rosneft oil 12/24
