Environment & Safety
Chemical-grade operation—or not?
The quality of transportation fuels has evolved. Earlier, the fuel quality was based on octane to power larger engines for automobiles and cetane for commercial trucks. As lead was phased out of gasol..
US achieves new milestones with latest hydrogen, fuel cell technologies
With support from the US Department of Energy, private industry and the DOE’s national laboratories have already achieved significant advances in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.
Key pipeline companies in North America take lead on safety research
North American pipeline industry leaders Enbridge and TransCanada have reaffirmed their commitment to pipeline safety and emergency response by agreeing to research regarding leak detection.
US safety board seeks overhaul of California refinery regulations
After the August 2012 fire at Chevron's Richmond refinery, the CSB says it wants to replace reactive and activity-based regulations with a rigorous, performance-based scheme.
Design a staggered depressurization sequence for flare systems
Emergency depressurization is one of the most important design provisions for safeguarding facilities in case of an emergency. To overcome limitations of flare system capacity during such a scenario, depressurization can be practiced in a sequential manner. Presented here are the criteria and calculation methods for designing sequential depressurization, along with guidelines for the implementation of recommended designs.
Rethink the hazards in your process
In designing process safety systems, “more” is not necessarily better. Advanced technology has created a mindset to over-install hardware to prevent or to reduce the risk of failure in hydro..
Consider process-based failure analysis methods for piping and equipment
Avoiding incident (or accident) recurrences at industrial systems is a long-standing problem, and it involves process safety strategies (PSSs). Incurring zero incidents is the ultimate goal for any st..
HP Editorial Comment: By the numbers
At times, engineers, bankers, scientists and accountants can be obsessed with numbers. Why? Because numbers are vital, especially in the design and operation of process units and equipment. Anniversar..
HP Brief
After a bitter labor battle, INEOS Grangemouth reopensINEOS Grangemouth (UK) has reopened its petrochemicals plant and oil refinery in Scotland. The reopening comes after negotiations with the employe..
HP Impact: Fossil fuels dominate global primary energy consumption
Oil, natural gas and coal accounted for 87% of global primary energy consumption in 2012, according to a new Worldwatch Institute study. The relative weight of these energy sources keeps shifting, alt..
- INEOS to invest €250 MM in Lavera cracker modernization project in France 11/19
- BASF adds ISCC EU certification to certified biomass-balanced methanol portfolio 11/19
- Siam Cement to invest an additional $500 MM in Long Son chemical complex 11/19
- LanzaJet produces first jet fuel from ethanol at a commercial scale 11/19
- Ducor Petrochemicals, Blue Circle Olefins partner to create a fully circular supply chain for polypropylene 11/18
- World's first: Air Liquide’s innovative technology converts ammonia into hydrogen at industrial scale 11/18
