Controlling LPG/propylene quality

Oct-2016

Online analysers can minimise costly upsets in FCC LPG/propylene quality and realise savings in caustic wash operations.

Process for ultra-purification of paraxylene

Apr-2008

A new crystallisation process for paraxylene, which is a parent material for PET, is based on Sulzer Chemtech’s heat pump crystalliser technology, and ...

Tackling fouling in vinyl monomer manufacture

Jul-2003

Conventional and new approaches to the control of fouling in vinyl monomer processes are discussed in this article, which describes the fouling characteristics ...

Recovering pure aromatics

Apr-2006

The recovery of pure aromatics feedstocks such as reformate or pyrolysis gasoline through solvent-based extractive distillation. The efficiency, purities ...

Gamma scanning fractionators

Jan-2007

Gamma scanning is a powerful tool that can be used to determine the cause of flooding and regain column efficiency. Debutaniser capacity and performance ...

Optimal tonnage industrial gas plants

Oct-2011

Detailed examination of industrial gas needs is required to develop the most cost-effective industrial gas plant configuration

Technology for propylene boosting in steamcrackers

Mar-2003

Integration of steamcracker C4/C5 components with a fixed-bed fluid catalytic-cracking reactor employing a shape-selective heterogeneous zeolytic ZSM-5 ...

Competitive driving force for integration

Jul-2009

Case study for refinery-petrochemical integration. Product portfolio diversification in integrated complexes will increase the production of higher value ...

Increasing propylene for the petrochemical market

Apr-2005

Increasing FCC propylene with shape-selective additives minimises the impact on unit process conditions and equipment

Optimising petrochemical operations

Jan-2008

Substantial increases in profit can be achieved in refinery/aromatics operations using methodology and modelling tools that incorporate multiple degrees ...

A refinery study of FCC vs Gasolfin for naphtha cracking into propylene (ERTC)

Nov-2017

European refineries have experienced challenging market conditions over the past decade. Between 2008 and 2013, European refining capacity decreased by ...

Improving olefins plant performance

Jan-2005

A review of available modelling and optimisation tools for olefins plants. A cost effective approach has been developed for improving cash margins by a ...

Petrochemicals from refinery intermediates — beyond polyolefins

Jul-2020

Diversifying chemical synthesis routes based on simple olefins can add major value for an integrated refining-petrochemical complex.

Gas chromatography trends and troubleshooting in petrochemical analysis (part 1)

Mar-2014

Gas chromatography (GC) is at the fore in the petrochemical sector as an analytical method that can be applied across a broad range of applications.

Shale gas feeds petrochemical expansion

Mar-2013

North American ethylene capacity is set to increase significantly with new crackers coming online after 2016, plus higher production of propylene and other ...

Axens 2017 industry outlook

Jan-2017

In 2016, global growth should fall to 3.1% before rising back up to 3.4% in 2017 according to IMF’s latest estimations. Long-term perspectives in industrialised ...

Improvements to increase fuel capacity and quality

Oct-2002

By using staged technology upgrades, fuels production at the Jiddah refinery was expanded and quality improved, meeting market and regulatory criteria

'Snakes and ladders' for maximising propylene

Oct-2014

Changes in process conditions in tandem with ZSM-5 additives widen the potential for petrochemicals production from the FCC unit

Improving profits in olefins complexes

Oct-2005

The initial phases of a profitability programme show what can be achieved in a collaborative effort with the right tools and methodologies

From refining to chemicals, a switch of the yield in four stages (ERTC)

Dec-2021

Over the last decade, the demand for main petrochemicals intermediates (ethylene, propylene, paraxylene) increased by an annual growth rate of around 4%. ...

Securing fuel supply and reducing GHG emissions

Apr-2008

Six strategic options are available to refiners to satisfy future energy and environmental requirements in the light of surging oil prices and public concerns ...

Axens 2016 Industry Outlook

Jan-2016

2015 was highlighted by a crude oversupply of 1.3 million b/d, which played a part in keeping oil prices at a low level, fluctuating between $40 and $60/bbl. ...

The age of turbulence: charting a course for refiners to a profitable future

Nov-2012

Relentless turbulence has profoundly affected the global refining landscape in recent years. Moreover, the turmoil is likely to continue unabated in the ...

Identifying very small equipment leaks

Jan-2008

Very small leaks in feed/effluent exchangers can be identified using chemical tracing. This online technique can detect leaks as low as 5.0 ppm, avoiding ...

Challenges with carbon disulphide removal in petrochemical naphtha

Aug-2022

Meeting new specifications for removing carbon disulphide in petrochemical naphtha using dividing wall column technology.

Cracking hydrocarbon feedstock with a heavy tail

Mar-2013

The introduction of a vapour/liquid separation step allows for the efficient removal of a heavy tail from the furnace convection section

Process improvements in the direct hydration of olefins to alcohols

May-2014

Synthetic alcohols produced by direct hydration have wide application in the process industries as solvents, in the production of cosmetics and as intermediates ...

Recovering pure aromatics

Apr-2006

The recovery of pure aromatics feedstocks such as reformate or pyrolysis gasoline through solvent-based extractive distillation. The efficiency, purities ...

Control of primary fractionator fouling

Jan-2009

Optimal operation and chemical treatment of primary fractionators requires an in-depth knowledge of many parameters. A combination of analytical tools ...

Optimal tonnage industrial gas plants

Oct-2011

Detailed examination of industrial gas needs is required to develop the most cost-effective industrial gas plant configuration

Improved catalytic reforming

Jan-2012

Catalyst solutions help to improve the profitability and reliability of reforming units

The age of turbulence: charting a course for refiners to a profitable future

Nov-2012

Relentless turbulence has profoundly affected the global refining landscape in recent years. Moreover, the turmoil is likely to continue unabated in the ...

Shale gas feeds petrochemical expansion

Mar-2013

North American ethylene capacity is set to increase significantly with new crackers coming online after 2016, plus higher production of propylene and other ...

Analysis method for determining bound and free alkanolamines in HSS contaminated solutions

Jul-1990

A conductometric titration method has been developed to determine the true available alkanolamine in solutions used for H2S and CO2 removal from refinery ...

Applying pinch technology to energy recovery

Oct-2013

A pinch technology-based study of heating and cooling of material streams in a large-scale olefins plant identifies major opportunities for energy sav ...

Improving olefins plant performance

Jan-2005

A review of available modelling and optimisation tools for olefins plants. A cost effective approach has been developed for improving cash margins by a ...

Improving profits in olefins complexes

Oct-2005

The initial phases of a profitability programme show what can be achieved in a collaborative effort with the right tools and methodologies

Optimising petrochemical operations

Jan-2008

Substantial increases in profit can be achieved in refinery/aromatics operations using methodology and modelling tools that incorporate multiple degrees ...

Front End CDHydro - raw gas hydrogenation achieved

Apr-2008

Front End CDHydro applies catalytic distillation hydrogenation to the ethylene flowsheet to successfully accomplish raw, cracked gas hydrogenation.

Securing fuel supply and reducing GHG emissions

Apr-2008

Six strategic options are available to refiners to satisfy future energy and environmental requirements in the light of surging oil prices and public concerns ...

Catalytic cracking process enhances production of olefins

Oct-2009

A FCC technology and catalyst formulation selectively crack a wide range of feeds, including residue, to yield high quantities of light olefins

Naphtha cracking for light olefins production

Jul-2010

As an alternative to steam cracking, an FCC-type process provides on-purpose production of propylene

Octanizing reformer options

Jan-2006

Staged investment and reformer technology improvement strategies are available for increasing hydrogen production, cycle time and reliability

From refining to chemicals, a switch of the yield in four stages (ERTC)

Dec-2021

Over the last decade, the demand for main petrochemicals intermediates (ethylene, propylene, paraxylene) increased by an annual growth rate of around 4%. ...

Risks of accumulated sulphur in sulphur recovery unit

Aug-1998

Follow-up data to an October 1997 article proves with refinery experience that caustic neutralisation does not improve system operations

Competitive driving force for integration

Jul-2009

Case study for refinery-petrochemical integration. Product portfolio diversification in integrated complexes will increase the production of higher value ...

Divided-wall columns — a novel distillation concept

Oct-2000

The technology of divided-wall columns using a single distillation tower, described in this article, is claimed to have investment and operating advantages ...

Amine purification system to increase crude processing

Jul-2002

Bringing amine system contaminants down to low levels has reduced operational problems.Refiners experience increased throughput of sour crude by continuously ...

Improvements to increase fuel capacity and quality

Oct-2002

By using staged technology upgrades, fuels production at the Jiddah refinery was expanded and quality improved, meeting market and regulatory criteria

Technology for propylene boosting in steamcrackers

Mar-2003

Integration of steamcracker C4/C5 components with a fixed-bed fluid catalytic-cracking reactor employing a shape-selective heterogeneous zeolytic ZSM-5 ...