Safety
HP Reliability: Reassessing and updating electric motor bearing lubrication
Over the past 25 years, this column has often dealt with electric motor lubrication. As listed in the recommended reading list, this subject is often asked and, of course, there are updates to the rec..
HP Automation Strategies: Developing the best practices for operator effectiveness in the age of collaboration
Multiple converging trends make operator effectiveness even more important today than ever before. These include: loss of expertise in industrial plants and the transition to a new workforce, business..
HP Innovations
Coatings line wins innovation awardHempel’s HEMPADUR AvantGuard range of products won the 2014 European Frost & Sullivan Award for the category of new product innovation. To be presented on May 1..
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..
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 Reliability: The true cost of poor quality
Knoxville, Tennessee-based System Improvements, Inc., has been in the forefront of teaching structured root-cause analysis throughout the world. System Improvements, Inc. has used its proprietary soft..
HP Viewpoint: Methanex focuses on growth and expanding its operations across the globe
As the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets, Methanex Corp. continues to focus on growing and expanding its operations across the globe. The most recen..
Improve the operation of fired heaters
Fired heaters or “process furnaces” are used extensively by the refining and petrochemical industries. These heat transfer units generate the much needed process energy through the combustio..
HP Editorial Comment: Downstream has good news for 2015
The outlook is optimistic for downstream companies. Independent refiners are positive on present and future demand for transportation fuels.
HP Reliability: Consider oil-resistant cable terminations to increase electric motor reliability
Most engineers are familiar with adhesive-coated insulating tape used by electricians in the field and maintenance shop. If we use this tape in the engine compartment of an automobile, it will soon be..

- INEOS to cease phenol production at German site, cites high European energy costs and CO2 tax policy 6/17
- Petrobras signs $892 MM in contracts to complete RNEST Train 2 refinery expansion 6/17
- China's May refinery throughput at 9-month low on plant overhauls (1) 6/17
- bp completes turnaround work at 250,000-bpd refinery in Washington (U.S.) 6/17
- Japan's Eneos restarts 77,000-bpd Kawasaki CDU after unplanned shutdown 6/17
- UPM Biochemicals receives triple sustainability certification for the Leuna biorefinery 6/17