Petrochemicals
US plastic resins output surges over 2014 levels
US production of major plastic resins totaled 6.1 billion pounds during February 2015, an increase of 6.8 percent compared to the same month in 2014, according to statistics released by the ACC.
Top seven causes for lost olefin production
Long-term trends in production losses, showing total loss production measured in seven biennial studies, are discussed in this article to determine if these losses are increasing or decreasing over time.
Use vapor distributors to improve fractionation column performance
Vapor distribution has often been neglected in fractionation columns. Although the importance of liquid distribution is well understood and has been a consideration in column design from the early sta..
Bolivia expands petrochemical capability with Bulo Bulo ammonia complex
The Bulo Bulo ammonia-urea facility will be Bolivia’s first petrochemical venture. This new facility is expected to produce sufficient urea/ammonia supplies for domestic demand and will provide surplus product for export.
US petrochemical construction boom and refining margins cushion profits
Domestic refiners and petrochemical producers will face changing supply and demand conditions, particularly as the sharp decrease in oil prices influences drilling decisions.
How Cr compounds discolor refractory brick walls of an ethylene cracking furnace
Unusual pink coloration was noticed on the entire refractory brick wall in the radiant section of an ethylene cracking furnace of a petrochemical plant. The problem was investigated by evaluating the ..
HP Editorial Comment: Accessing the value of methane and the North American petrochemical revolution
The North American (NA) petrochemical industry is experiencing a renaissance of new project announcements and manufacturing expansions. This wave of activity is supported by abundant, low-cost natural gas supplies. In particular, many ethylene projects are under various stages of development.
HP Project Management: Inside look at financing biorenewable projects
Financing biorenewables technology companies and their projects involves a unique set of challenges. The global emergence of biorenewable fuels, chemicals and polymers is driven by public policies, su..
HP Global: India’s fertilizer industry gathering strength
The $2-T Indian economy is forecast to have an annual average GDP growth rate of 8%–9% in 2015 under the new government. The main drivers—agriculture and industrial manufacturing—need r..
HP Petrochemicals: US petrochemical revival slows amid weaker oil
Since the shale revolution, US oil and gas majors have run on all cylinders, drastically curbing US dependency on foreign resources. But the past six months changed it all. A 53% plunge in oil prices ..

- CNOOC completes construction on $2.9-B, 1.8-MMtpy integrated complex in east China 8/22
- bp's Whiting refinery (U.S.) continues to flare days after severe thunderstorm 8/22
- Bachmann introduces latest version M-Target for Simulink 8/22
- U.S. to rule on biofuel waivers, but big oil refiners may need to wait 8/22
- Chinese independent refiner Hongrun buys Canadian, Brazilian crude 8/22
- Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia 8/22