Engineering & Design
SMR feed effluent hairpin exchanger: Once upon a time—An unusual thermal mix-point failure—Part 1
This article presents a review of a failure that happened in a hairpin heat exchanger type on the shell side in a hydrogen (H2) reformer unit. This mechanism was not identified during the design phase and led to a failure after only two years of operation. This article also reviews the situations encountered during the design stage and how they affected the material selection.
Refinery/petrochemical makeup water treatment: A general guide for technical personnel—Part 3
A very important—and sometimes overlooked—unit operation within hydrocarbon processing facilities is makeup water treatment for steam generators and other processes. Many cases have been documented in which makeup system upsets have led to boiler tube failures that partially or completely shut down unit processes. The three parts of this article (August, September and October 2024) serve as a guide for those employees who may be on a steep learning curve when it comes to makeup system understanding.
TotalEnergies studies Moroccan project to export green ammonia to Europe
TotalEnergies will study plans for a renewable energy project to produce hydrogen and ammonia in Morocco for delivery to Europe, which is seeking to increase use of the fuels as part of its energy transition.
Sumitomo Chemical begins study to optimize operations at Keiyo Ethylene
Sumitomo Chemical has made a proposal to Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd., its JV partner in Keiyo Ethylene Co., to reduce offtake quotas for Sumitomo Chemical products at Keiyo Ethylene.
BASF invests in increasing production capacity of Neopor® at Ludwigshafen site
BASF is strengthening its styrene value chain at its Ludwigshafen site by expanding the production capacity of Neopor® by 50,000 tpy. This increase is aimed at meeting the growing market demand for the grey insulation material. The start-up of the new production facilities is scheduled for early 2027.
Vopak Energy Park Antwerp starts market consultation for ammonia storage
Vopak is launching a market consultation for the storage of ammonia at its Vopak Energy Park Antwerp site in Belgium. The market consultation aims to gauge market interest and to gather detailed insight into customer demand. Vopak Energy Park Antwerp intends to finish the currently ongoing pre-FEED study by the end of 2024. Subject to market interest and a positive FID the start of operations is currently foreseen in 2029.
Neste, Braskem partner on supply of renewable and recycled feedstocks for polymers and chemicals production
Braskem will use more sustainable feedstocks from Neste to produce circular and bio-circular polymer resins and chemicals, which will be sold in South America under Braskem’s Wenew brand.
Axens, IFPEN and JEPLAN launch commercial licensing of the Rewind® PET process
The project partners launched the commercialization (licensing) of the Rewind® PET process, enabling the further acceleration of the energy transition and the circular economy of plastics. Axens teams will now be able to market a complete Rewind® PET license package to their customers all over the world.
ProSep to deliver its Multiphase Adjustable Xtreme test units to Polish refiner
For the contract, ProSep will deliver one of its Multiphase Adjustable Xtreme (MAX+) Mixer's test units to a refinery in central Poland.
BGEN signs five-year contract with INEOS O&P UK
BGEN has announced that it has signed a five-year contract with the petrochemical manufacturer INEOS O&P UK. BGEN will provide a range of services to help INEOS optimize plant efficiency at its site in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire.
- LanzaJet expands partnership with Microsoft to strengthen the company’s global growth 6/13
- Phelan Green Group's $2.6-B eMethanol project remains on schedule 6/13
- Algeria launches $7-B investment plan to expand hydrocarbon processing 6/13
- AFPM/API: President Trump officially overturns California (U.S.) gas car ban 6/12
- Decision on oil refiner Italiana Petroli's sale expected around end-June 6/12
- EIA: U.S. crude stocks fall, gasoline and distillate inventories rise as refining activity increases 6/12
