March 2023

The disposition of the crude C₄ stream from a steam cracker is a project configuration topic that deserves some discussion.

This article focuses on a novel extractive distillation (ED) process for recovering benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) aromatics from a full-boiling-range pyrolysis gasoline or reformate feedstock—a process that has been commercially demonstrated and is ready for licensing or a JV.

Propylene oxide (PO) is an important organic building block in industry and is used to manufacture polyether polyols, unsaturated resins, nonionic surfactants and carbonates.1,2,3

Worley Comprimo and Topsoe have developed a new sulfur recovery processa that combines conventional Claus technology from Comprimo with the proven wet gas sulfuric acid (WSA) process from Topsoe.

Expansion joints are used throughout industry for various purposes.

Based on new environmental regulations focusing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the emissions point of a refinery’s sulfur recovery unit (SRU), Raffineria di Milazzo—a JV between Eni and Kuwait Petroleum Italia—carried out troubleshooting activities to identify and implement suitable actions to minimize the concentration of VOCs at the emissions point of the SRU complex.

The transportation of large quantities of liquid sulfur is costly and often impractical since it requires a continuous supply of heat energy to maintain its liquid form.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction projects have become a focus for many nations around the world—carbon capture technologies are a way to reduce the release of carbon into the atmosphere and help contribute to meeting emissions targets.

Centrifugal pumps are used for a wide range of applications and services in the refining industry. In today’s dynamic scenario, changes in pumped fluid characteristics are common, especially for transfer/loading pumps.

Extensive guidance is available for relief protection of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (B&PVC) Section VIII process equipment for scores of applications, such as run-away reactions, distillation and heat exchangers. Sources include ASME, American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Design Institute for Emergency Relief Systems (DIERS), among others.

The hydrogen (H₂) generation unit (HGU) manufactures H2 by steam reforming propane and butane.

Lean project management leans towards a business philosophy that brings value to the customer as opposed to conventional project management, which is focused on a product or project.

If you were to review any forecast for global thermoplastics demand to 2050—high-density polyethylene (PE), low-density PE, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate, among others—chances are that you will see a steady rise in consumption.

Like all process industries, the chemical sector is under intense pressure to drastically reduce its carbon footprint and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Globally, > 90 MMbpd of crude oil, natural gas and refined hydrocarbons are produced, transported, stored and sold to end users.

Personnel changes at BASF