Environment & Safety
HP Insight: Déjà vu all over again
It's February; accordingly, many HPI consultants are preparing their forecasts for 1999 and the next few years. From reading the headlines, there are very few surprises, especially for petrochemicals...
HPIn SHE: Environmental protection
We talk a lot about "environmental protection" – sometimes, we even do something about it. However, we tend to forget that the adjective environmental means concerning the environment. Conse..
Control coking for olefins plants
A combination of metallurgy and surface-coating materials mitigate coke formation on furnace tubes
How effective is your plant safety and loss control system?
Comprehensive policy defines what management and employees are to do and how to do it
HP Insight: MTBE – a chemical under fire
Not too long ago, MTBE was the rising petrochemical star of the HPI. Unfortunately, controversy surrounds this oxygenate. MTBE gained national prominence under the clean fuels program from the CAAA. T..
HPIn SHE: Making pictures
Long ago, I used to write "appreciations" (i.e., informed guesswork) about likely technology developments of the Evil Empire. Surprisingly to an outsider, there was great emphasis on honesty. Our depa..
Protect vessels from overpressure
Use caution when installing relief valves and rupture disks on processes handling hazardous compressible fluids
HP Insight: Never a dull moment in the HPI
The past few weeks of this year have been full of news and change. Several late-breaking developments will impact the petrochemical / refining industry. In the area of ethylene technology, an operat..
HPIn SHE: Wham! Zap! Pow! – Did we overlook static electricity?
In Finland, it's zap season; low temperatures (i.e., anything below –10°C) are accompanied by low humidity. Add thick-soled boots and a down-filled coat made of synthetic fiber with fur trim..
Prevent overpressure failures on heat exchangers
Dynamic modeling predicts pressure wave effects and consequences during a tube rupture

- AFPM response to U.S. EPA actions on RFS small refinery waiver backlog 8/25
- Indonesia urges EU to remove biodiesel import curbs after WTO ruling 8/25
- Canada's Alberta eyes investment in Japan's refining to boost oil exports 8/25
- U.S. EPA approves biofuel waivers for small refiners, stirring concerns over demand 8/25
- Update: Russian oil supplies to Slovakia may resume as soon as today 8/25
- Liquid Sun launches eSAF production pilot with ABB, Finnair, Fortum and Finavia 8/25