Process Optimization
Advancing export terminal technology: An optimized process for the refrigeration of cryogenic hydrocarbons
Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.
Maximizing energy efficiency in paraxylene production—Part 2
Due to reduced margins, higher energy costs and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide content, energy efficiency has never been more important in refining and petrochemicals. This is particularly true in the modern aromatics complex, which produces paraxylene (pX), benzene and other aromatics from naphtha.
GE awarded service contract for biorefinery
PARIS — GE Power was selected by Alco Bio Fuel, one of Belgium’s major biorefineries, to deploy its Predix-based Asset Performance Management (APM) solution to future-proof the refinery’s power-generation unit’s refinery field operations. The service contract will last for 10 yr, and GE will also be responsible for providing on-site service support.
Hanwha Total petchem to invest $331 MM to boost polyethylene output
SEOUL (Reuters) — Hanwha Total Petrochemical Co Ltd said on Monday it plans to spend $331.29 MM on a new factory in South Korea to increase polyethylene output by 400 Mtpy by 2019.
Emerson completes Paradigm acquisition
ST. LOUIS — Emerson announced it has completed the purchase of Paradigm, a leading provider of software solutions to the oil and gas industry.
Continuous catalytic regeneration reformer optimization: A result of change in mindset
In today’s industrial environment, where refiners are struggling to improve gross refinery margins, around-the-clock process optimization is a must.
Maximizing energy efficiency in paraxylene production—Part 1
Due to reduced margins, higher energy costs and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) content, energy efficiency has never been more important in refining and petrochemicals.
DuPont awarded five alkylation technology licenses from Sinopec
WILMINGTON, Del. — DuPont Clean Technologies signs contracts with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) for five grassroots STRATCO alkylation units at five Sinopec refineries in China.
JXTG Nippon selects AspenTech supply chain software
BEDFORD, Mass. — Aspen Technology, Inc., the asset optimization software company, announced that JXTG Nippon Oil and Energy, the largest oil company in Japan, has selected the company’s aspenONE Petroleum Supply Chain software as its preferred optimization solution for economic and operational planning.
BP, AspenTech renew license agreement to improve operations through technology
BEDFORD, Mass. — Aspen Technology, Inc., the asset optimization software company, announced that BP has renewed its license agreement for aspenONE Engineering, a suite of products focused on process engineering and optimization, and aspenONE Manufacturing and Supply Chain, a suite of process operations and supply chain software.
- Borouge to supply advanced polyolefin solutions for next-generation vehicles 11/18
- ASTM International signs MoU with Gulf Cooperation Council Laboratory Company for Technical Services (GCC Lab TSCo.) 11/18
- KBC launches Visual MESA Energy Management System 7.3 11/18
- MHI Compressor secures steam turbine contract at Baton Rouge (U.S.) olefins plant 11/18
- Reliance buys 1 MMbbl of crude from Kuwait's KPC, trade sources say 11/18
- Vitol, Cnergyico make Pakistan's biggest single delivery of marine fuel 11/18

