Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

June 2025

Archive

Petrochemical Technologies

Large-scale advanced pyrolysis technology development: A proven route to chemical recycling and steam cracker integration
Lummus Technology: Chakraborty, S.

This article highlights the key advancements in developing the author’s company’s advanced pyrolysis technology, focusing on improvements in scale-up, heating efficiency, process optimization and product recovery. 

Process Optimization

Improve sour water stripper unit performance via feed sour water preconditioning
Nexo Solutions: Engel, D.  |  S. Engel  |  S. Williams  |  C. Ridge

Sour water stripper (SWS) units in refinery operations are often exposed to several challenges, such as corrosion, low efficiency, decreased capacity, solids fouling and equipment plugging. This article explores some of those challenges.

Sustainability and the Energy Transition

Managing the energy transition: Microgrids play a key role
Emerson’s Aspen Technology business: R. Beck  |  T. J. Surbella

This article dives into the use of microgrids, and how they can help power certain plants within refineries and petrochemical facilities.

Valves, Pumps, Turbomachinery and Compression

New alternatives for severe service urea letdown valve applications
Emerson: J. Goodwin  |  M. Wagner

This article describes recently introduced control valve designs for urea applications that extend service life while making any required maintenance much easier.

Causes and countermeasures for a compressor lube oil system failure due to delayed oil pressure recovery by an auxiliary lube oil pump
SK Energy: H. Jeong  |  W. Eom

This article shares insights from a lube oil system issue and recommends key points to consider when operating oil systems. 

Heat Exchange/Management

Application of systems engineering principles in a reliability assessment of air-cooled heat exchangers
Contributing Author: D. R. Narang

This article proposes a holistic remaining life assessment and reliability engineering framework developed based on systems engineering principles to cover both mechanical integrity (header boxes and fin tubes) and dynamic reliability aspects (fin blades, electrical motors, gearboxes and propellers).

Process Controls, Instrumentation and Automation

The implementation and automation of an alarm management system in a complex control environment at KNPC’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery
Kuwait National Petroleum Co.: Maqbool, A.  |  Al-Mansour, S.  |  Joshi, M. K.

This work details how the integration and automation of alarm management system applications at Kuwait National Petroleum Co.’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery have resulted in numerous benefits that have optimized plant operations.  

Maintenance, Reliability and Inspection

Case study: Reduce failure in critical motor applications
Indorama: S. Kumar

This article provides a case study on methods how premature failure in new motors can be substantially reduced, thereby improving their longevity and reinforcing their operational durability in industrial environments. 

Plant Design, Engineering, Construction and Commissioning

Ten ways AI is expediting construction projects in the processing industry
Graycor: Gallagher, B.

This article provides 10 key areas in which AI can improve project delivery during project planning. 

Optimize plant design in the hydrocarbon processing industry with advanced CAD tools
Microsol Resources: T. Schwarzweller

This article will explore the evolution of computer-aided design technology, its advantages and uses throughout the hydrocarbon processing industry.

Columns

Achieving operational excellence with real-time visibility in chemical supply chains
Sheer Logistics: N. Fryer

From better quality control to more optimized production scheduling, this article will outline the key benefits of real-time visibility, the technology making it possible and the trends shaping the future of chemical supply chains. 

Innovations

These are the latest innovations that are optimizing refining and petrochemicals operations.