The LNG  terminal is an important link in the liquefied natural gas chain, accounting for 20 per cent or more of the total project cost.  It also has potential for cost reduction.  The author discusses various strategies for cutting cost and their impact on terminal design.
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With advancing automobile engine design, a major Russian gas processing complex was faced with the need to produce unleaded, high octane gasolines, which meant replacing existing monometallic Russian catalyst with a new breed of catalyst.  This is an account of how the change was accomplished.
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Processes now used in the new generation of hydrogen plants make a wide choice of catalysts necessary in order to meet the requirements of particular systems.  This article describes the capabilities of some of these catalysts.
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A close examination of natural gas preconditioning and final conditioning processes, including the associated chemical, physical and hybrid solvents involved. The author also looks at the various Claus tailgas-treating technologies


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Conventional and new approaches to the control of fouling in vinyl monomer processes are discussed in this article, which describes the fouling characteristics of three vinyl monomer processes: acrylic acid, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride


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A review of diagnostic tests that are used for identifying the causes of caustic system fouling. The author also looks at methods of monitoring the onset of fouling and some of the ways by which the problem can be minimised


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Recent developments in methanol-to-propylene conversion are based on a simple fixed-bed reactor system and common processing elements, providing an economic route to dedicated propylene independent of petroleum-based processes


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An integrated refining and petrochemical approach to paraxylene manufacture from various feedstocks, such as excess aromatics in reformate or pyrolysis gasoline. A paraxylene production complex is reviewed and its component units described


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An insight into the R&D, optimisation and engineering activities needed to take Fischer-Tropsch pilot plant data through all development stages, from “ballpark” scoping to the more detailed levels of engineering definition



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A case study showing how asset life extension helped a leading manufacturer of ammonia and urea to assess the condition of its plants and put in place effective asset strategies that support the achievement of business objectives



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Five types of on-purpose propylene production are available, including propane dehydrogenation, metathesis, olefins cracking and interconversion, high severity FCC, and gas-to-olefins. Each one is discussed in detail

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Although homogeneous catalysis is not as widely used in hydrocarbon processing as heterogeneous catalysis there are industrial applications where the former, in liquid phase, has many advantages, including relatively high selectivity and product purity, low investment and mild operating conditions.
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To clarify failure mechanisms and determine the measures necessary for trouble free operation it is essential to combine the available experiences of all the participants and compare them with the collected data.
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A review of improvements in filtration and separation techniques for reducing processing costs and avoiding corrosion problems in the removal of H2S, CO2 and other impurities, while also producing high quality gas.
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Improved methods are required to recover elemental sulphur from a gas stream containing H2S and thereby reduce SO2 emissions.  For refining, natural processing and coal gasification, the sulphur recovery unit is the primary area of concern.
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Hybrid catalysts made by combining zeolites with platinum-promoted tungstate-modified zirconia provide a promising way to obtain higher catalytic activity and higher selectivity for desired fuel products.
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The growing demand for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and its raw material vinychloride monomer (VCM) means expansion of capacity in the coming years.  New plants will need to have low capital and operating costs and be aware of environmental issues.
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A joint development programme by BP Chemicals and Lurgi has introduced a new technology, Geminox, for production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) using butane as the feedstock.  It combines existing technologies of the two companies and offers a 40 per cent economic saving over other technologies.
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By eliminating a tubular fired furnace, the Kellogg Reforming Exchanger System (KRES), used in the production of methanol, is proving to be profitable and energy efficient against conventional steam reforming.
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Two surveys were organised by the Amine Best Practices Group in order to build a database to compare the operating efficiency of different amine units.  This article reports the findings of the latest survey, which focused on the question of operating costs and some of the design features affecting them.
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Advanced Recovery System technology has been widely adapted, with some 4 million tons a year of new ethylene capacity committed to it and 6 million tons of revamp capacity operating or being prepared.  This article examines results to date and highlights revamp projects in progress.
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The basis of Borstar polyethylene technology, which offers bimodal PE grades for many applications requiring combined strength and processability, is a proprietary catalyst and loop-gas phase reactor process, described in this article.
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Integrating a human factors engineering strategy in the early phases of preparations for a new project has been shown to produce significant financial and work-related benefits, not least in reduced capital expenditure.
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Some of the new technologies associated with para-xylene production are discussed in this article, particularly developments that have overcome previous limitations to productive capacity.
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A Hungarian ethylene producer has identified more than a $30 per ton increase in profit.  The initial phases of a profitabiltiy programme show what can be achieved in a collaborative effort with the right tools and methodologies.

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One solution to the logistical constraints seen in ethylene plant furnace scheduling is technology that automatically generates multiple optimised schedules for schedulers to analyse and quickly select the best one to be executed.

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Advanced Leuna-Catalysts for selective hydrogenation of acetylene, MAPD and C4-cuts have proved an appropriate tool for maximising olefin yields.  A new generation of ring-shaped catalysts for gas phase selective hydrogenation of acetylene and MAPD can increase converter capacity up to 140 per cent.

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High demand for teraphthalic acid (TPA) has raised interest in processes that improve performance and economics for both new and existing plants.  This article focusses on one section of the TPA plant - the solvent recovery system - and discusses a configuration applicable to existing and grassroots plants

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A global shortage of n-paraffins, and the consequent rise in prices, presents an opportunity to refiners and petrochemical producers to add value to their kerosene by diversifying into normal paraffins, says the author.  The technology for doing so is illustrated by operating data.

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Description of a means of using low-grade feedstock to supply both a competitively priced synthetic chemical and low cost and reliable peaking electricity, without the need to develop any new processes or equipment.

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The authors describe a post reactor process, downstream from the main reactor, for eliminating detrimental byproducts from the catalytic PA reactor.

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The author sees the future for polypropylene expanding as new materials, some of which are described here, rejuvenate existing applications and create new opportunities based on competition between materials and product differentiation.

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Efficient utilisation of refinery offgases can prove to be attractive for hydrogen production by employing hybrid or integrated systems.  But attention must be given to specific operational requirements to achieve flexibility and reliability.

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Recently introduced technologies are offering para-xylene producers the option of lowering production costs by reducing feedstock requirements and, says the author, enabling para-xylene production increases without hardware modifications.

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A detailed review of a proprietary technology that reduces methanol production costs wherever low cost natural gas is available.  With rising oil prices, low cost methanol is seen as a profitable feedstock for conventional petrochemical processes.

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An overview of ethylene recovery and processing, outlining low temperature/cryogenic processes for recovery of ethylene from refinery offgases and from polyethylene plants offgas streams, and the purification of recovered ethylene.

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This article looks at examples of commercial columns used in CO2 removal and selective H2S treating, comparing performance test data to demonstrate benefits of modelling actual column internals using mass transfer rate process simulation.

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A reliable and cost effective asset management strategy can increase hydrogen plant throughout as well as optimise operating conditions and energy efficiency.  This article looks at the way current operations may be optimised.

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Optimisation of operating conditions requires an in-depth study of the hydrogen plant, say the authors.  They consider the optimisation of catalyst and absorbent to maximise hydrogen output beyond the capabilities of operations strategies.

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How fully automated thermal oxidiser units containing energy and byproduct recovery systems are able to resolve operational concerns over organic wastes, and can be the most economic way to dispose of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues.

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The extended application of Coriolis meters for measuring natural gas minimises the uncertainties associated with volumetric flow measurement.  Installation requirements and overall cost can also be simplified and reduced.

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Application of computational fluid dynamics in the design of a high-flux ethylene furnace equipped with ultra-low NOx vortex burners.  The fundamental kinetics mechanisms that are important in NOx formation under combustion are described.        

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