Natural Gas
Advanced steam system optimization program
The steam system forms an integral part of the safe, reliable and profitable operation of a process plant. Steam constitutes approximately 30% of the energy used in a typical petroleum refinery.
Industry Metrics
US refinery margins showed seasonal y–o–y growth, mainly supported by gasoline and diesel stocks drawdowns due to refinery maintenance.
Business Trends: Asia and Europe join the feedstock evolution with steam crackers
Steam crackers lay at the heart of petrochemical operations.
Petrochemicals: Ethylene and polyethylene— An outlook to 2022
The first petrochemical-based production of ethylene occurred nearly a century ago. Since then, the industry has undergone a momentous evolution.
Enhancing refinery profitability with a novel offgas conversion technology
The refining industry is challenged every day to optimize product slates that comply with market demand, product specifications, environmental regulations and refining-petrochemical integration, all while remaining profitable.
Energy losses from the radiant firebox wall of pyrolysis furnaces
The steam cracking unit is highly energy demanding, requiring high-severity pyrolysis furnaces to break the carbon-carbon bonds, as well as high pressure for the purification of its products.
Industry Metrics
US refining margins showed slight gains on the top of the barrel as a result of cold weather-related refinery outages, rebounding slightly from the previous month.
Optimize LNG production through contaminant mitigation—Part 2
The production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) requires a number of stages to effectively purify the feed gas. These stages are essential to maintain continuous operation and to meet product specifications. Liquid and solid contamination issues are common in many feed gas purification operations and can cause severe problems with equipment fouling, leading to additional expenses in maintenance and equipment repair, reduced production capacity and even unscheduled shutdowns.
The future of LNG—Part 2
Over the past several years, new gas processing/LNG capacity has surged in nearly every region. Growth on both the supply and demand sides has resulted in the announcement of billions of dollars of capital investment around the world. Millions of tons of new LNG import and export capacity have begun operations, with hundreds of millions of tons still under development.
Industry Metrics
Record low temperatures in the eastern US strengthened the diesel market but extended the downward trend in refining margins.
- ITT to acquire SPX Flow for > $4.77 B, expanding leadership in highly engineered components and adjacent flow technologies 12/5
- MOL Group introduces eco-friendly Bag-in-Box packaging for lubricants 12/5
- Russia and India sign deal to build urea plant in Russia 12/5
- U.S. liquid fuels groups announce progress on E15, small refinery exemption reform 12/5
- Million Air and Avfuel bring SAF to Austin, Texas (U.S.) 12/5
- Chinese refiners buy oil from storage, raise output with fresh import quota 12/5

