Americas
Dow Chemical to close plants amid cost cuts, cites weak Europe economy
Dow will shut down three insulation products plants as well as idle a plant in Terneuzen, The Netherlands. The company is also closing its TDI plant in Camaçari, Brazil.
Foster Wheeler inks global services pact with Dow
Foster Wheeler has signed a strategic umbrella agreement with Dow Chemical for the provision of project management, consulting, engineering, procurement, construction management, and construction services. The deal offers support by Foster Wheeler to selected Dow global capital projects, the companies said.
Chevron Phillips to build on-purpose 1-hexene plant at Texas complex
Chevron Phillips will build the world’s largest on-purpose 1-hexene plant, capable of producing up to 250,000 tpy (551,000,000 lbs) at its Cedar Bayou chemical complex in Baytown, Texas. The project is anticipated to start up during the first quarter of 2014. Costs were not disclosed.
CB&I wins $50mn deal for Canadian oil sands work
CB&I said Monday that has been awarded a contract, valued in excess of $50 million, for an oil sands project in Canada. The scope of work primarily includes the assembly of coke drums and a fractionator tower, according to the company. Details on the oil sands producer were not disclosed.
Alternate feedstock options for petrochemicals: A roadmap
New hydrocarbons will be needed to meet future demand
Optimize olefin operations
This operating company used process models to find solutions to poor separation performance
Operational optimization for mixed-refrigerant systems
Use rigorous simulation to improve process efficiency
Understand multi-stage pumps and sealing options: Part 2
As more processes involve high-pressure, toxic, flammable, lethal or explosive pumping services, better knowledge of rotating equipment options can boost productivity.
Use better designed turboexpanders to handle flashing fluids
New models eliminate vibration problems and improve process reliability
Methanol contamination of naphtha: A case study
Creative problem solving was used to upgrade off-spec export products while minimizing tank storage

- IHI, Vopak to launch ammonia terminal project in Japan 7/11
- India's BPCL plans to shut Bina refinery unit for 15-day maintenance in August 7/11
- Soaring electric truck sales deal new blow to diesel use in China 7/11
- Russia`s Tatneft launches new hydrocracking unit on TANECO refinery 7/11
- IEA: Global oil market may be tighter than it looks 7/11
- India must boost its petchem output to counter China's dominance, Reliance says 7/11