Browse Editions : 1998
Title Author Edition
Improving refinery integration

Ryuzo Watari, Chiyoda Corporation

1998 / Q1

With deregulation of electric power production, the question of how to turn waste products of upgrading processes into assets may be answered by the combination of the Eureka cracking process and the Texaco Gasification Power System (TGPS).
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Reaping the rewards of an internal audit

Brian M Moyse and Johannes Wrisberg, Haldor Topsoe
David L Yeary, Phillips Petroleum Co

1998 / Q1

Production of 0.05 wt% S diesel for an acceptable period of time can present challenges.  This article quantifies the effect of a properly designed distributor to enhance catalyst contacting efficiency which, in the refinery discussed here, produced a 45'F lower reactor temperature and double the run length.
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Mid-barrel optimisation

Gerald A Lambourn, AMEC Process and Energy

1998 / Q1

Refiners face an unprecedented technological and economical challenge in meeting the European Union's propsed new fuel specifications.  This article develops a planning strategy for the typical cat cracking refinery with adequate conversion capacity.
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Revamp opportunities for isomerisation units

Christopher Gosling, Richard Rosin, Patrick Bullen, UOP
Toshio Shimizu, Cosmo Research Institute
Tetsuya Imai, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

1998 / Q1

Light paraffin isomerisation technology traditionally has used either zeolite or chlorided alumina catalysts, each with certain weaknesses.  This article reviews a new isomerisation process, Par-Isom, based on a high performance sulphated metal catalyst which is robust and regenerable.
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Integrated choice etherification system: Pt 2

Mario Marchionna and Roberto Trotta, Snamprogetti SpA

1998 / Q1

The Integrated Choice Etherification System is aimed at the production of different components.  The most important features of the etherification technologies employed, and their impact on the reformulated gasoline pool, are outlined and discussed in this article.
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Refining trends in hydrogen and syngas

Alan Karp and Ronald L Dickenson,   SFA Pacific Inc

1998 / Q1

Hydrogen demand for bottom-of-the-barrel upgrading and fuel reformulation, together with the power-for-sale opportunities created by deregulation and the potential for converting natural gas to liquid products, are raising new and widespread interest in synthesis gas generation and utilisation.
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Digital control rooms: are they what operators need?

Robert W Szoke, Ashland Petroleum Company

1998 / Q1

The control room's migration from analog panel boards to distributed control systems (DCS) solved many problems and created some new ones.  Was it worth the effort?  The transition to all-digital control rooms is discussed with an eye towards some technologies that are looming on the horizon.
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Upgrade of predictive multivariable control for a delayed coker

David J Anderson, Chevron Products Company
Dennis I Cima, Aspen Technology Inc.

1998 / Q1

The new multivariable controller at Chevron's El Segundo delayed coker, now online for over a year, has increased unit profitability by some $1 million a year.  The benefits achieved by the new fractionator and gas recovery system multivariable predictive controler include a more profitable yield structure.
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OLE in process simulation model development

Peter Stanley, Hyprotech Ltd

1998 / Q1

Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology is enabling processors to choose the most suitable software components for their applications, and to adapt it to develop rigorous simulation models, reflecting realistic plant behavious, in a shorter time than ever before.
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Improving instrumentation and control

Michael A Spencer, HSB Reliability Technologies
Ross M Elliot, EnTech Control Engineering Inc

1998 / Q1

The economic impact of poorly designed and maintained instrumentation and control systems is examined in this article, together with methods for improving and continuously maintaining their performance.
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Gas plant advanced process control using personal computers

William A Poe and P N Berkowitz, Continental Controls Inc

1998 / Q1

A new technology in the economic optimisation of gas processing has improved operations in a wide range of inlet conditions.  The approach has effectively reduced operator interaction and also achieves better results when placed under supervisory control.
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Ethylene revamps using Advanced Recovery System

John Reid and Ken Bush, Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation

1998 / Q1

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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Relative economics of mixed C4 processing routes

Stacia M Edwards, Stephen J Stanley, Margaret M Shreehan, ABB Lummus Global

1998 / Q1

Ethylene producers are seeking ways to upgrade the mixed C4 stream from ethylene plants to improve operating economics.  Various technologies have been commercialised, including butadiene extraction, MTBE, and several others that can be combined to produce or recover various C4 products.
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Two-chain characteristics of bimodal polymers

Jouni Takakarhu, Borealis Polymers Oy

1998 / Q1

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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Leuna 2000: an example of refinery plant engineering

Peter Jabulowsky, Lurgi Ol-Gas-Chemie GmbH

1998 / Q2

Leuna 2000 in Germany is the first greenfield refinery to be built in Europe for more than 20 years.  Its design, engineering and construction is state-of-the-art technology, governed by stringent standards, resulting in one of the most advanced, efficient and environmentally friendly plants in the world.
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Effects of ZMS-5 zeolite additive on FCC olefin yields

Maria Balai, Janos Forstner, Antal Katona, Szabolcs Szoboszlay, Laszlo Szirmai, MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Company

1998 / Q2

A research project aimed at developing an FCC catalyst additive to promote octane enhancement has resulted in MAG-O - an additive with high ZMS-5 content, making it easier for refineries to meet new gasoline specifications.
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Quality FCC products from increasingly dirty feeds

Gerard Heinrich and Stephane Wambergue, IFP Industrial Division

1998 / Q2

Heavier FCC feedstocks and increasingly stringent emissions regulations and motor fuel specifications have led to the integration of pre- and post- hydrotreatment units into FCC complexes and more controlled operations.
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Catalytic distillation to enhance gasoline quality: Part 1

Kerry L Rock, Richard M Foley, Hugh M Putman, Amarjit S Bakshi, Monoj Som, CD Tech

1998 / Q2

Initiatives towards the improvement of gasoline motor fuel quality means refiners must modify their processing facilities to meet higher standards.  Catalytic distillation, discussed here, offers flexibility in fitting to existing facilities new technologies for treatments such as gasoline sulphur reduction.
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Reducing the danger of maintenance exposure

Andrew W Sloley, Process Consulting Services Inc.

1998 / Q2

Maintenance cost overruns result from inadequate cost estimating and the emergence of unidentified work that has to be done.  Correctly defining work in advance reduces costs, and the author discusses how this can be done.
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Managing operating strategy affecting process reliability

E Bradford Clark, Martin W Ball, Peter H Haar, KBC Process Technology Ltd

1998 / Q2

A review of the method for combining opportunities for profit improvement, together with processing and maintenance requirements, with engineering practices, technologies and expertise.
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Technology advances in LNG plant options

Joe B Fisher, Phillips Petroleum Company

1998 / Q2

Liquefied natural gas has developed into a competitive and desirable fuel source, increasingly popular as a means of turning remote gas reserves into profit as well as supplying emerging energy markets.  This article gives the case history of a successful LNG project, a model of competitive cost effectiveness.
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New direct oxidation process for sulphur recovery

G Srinivas and M E Karpuk, TDA Research Inc
C T Ratcliffe, Unocal Corporation
D Leppin, Gas Research Institute
W Kensell and M L Raven, The M W Kellogg Company

1998 / Q2

First tests are due to be carried out this year on a newly developed catalyst.  An offshore demonstration unit is to be used to recover sulphur from acid gas containing H2S, currently being sent to flare.  The TDA catalyst is expected to convert about 90 per cent of this H2S in the reactor.
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Oxygenated synfuels from natural gas

Domenico Sanfilippo, Emilio Micheli, Ivano Miracca, Lorenzo Tagliabue, Snamprogetti SpA

1998 / Q2

The Ethermix process transforms natural gas into MTBE and heavier tertiary-alkyl-ethers suitable for gasoline blending.  Continued technological progress in synthesis gas and higher alcohols could make this route economically viable, even with crude oil prices low.
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Oxygen solubility in various alkanolamine/water mixtures

Peter C Rooney and Danny D Daniels, The Dow Chemical Company.

1998 / Q2

Oxygen is known to cause colour and degradation in alkanolamines used in gas treating, but so far no studies have been reported measuring oxygen solubility in these systems.  this article examines the solubility in water and alkanolamine/water mixtures at temperatures between 60 and 180'F.
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New innovations in coke drum deheading

Leslie P Antalffy, Michael B Knowles, Samuel A Martin, William B Sines, Fluor Daniel Inc

1998 / Q2

The typical delayed coker drum operation cycle is outlined in this article, focusing on deheading.  Alco discussed is one of the first coke drum deheading systems installed, which gave operational safety; and a new automated boltless closure for ultimate use in coke drum top and bottom head applications.
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Modern pressure vessel technology for hydroprocessing reactors

Takayasu Tahara, Japan Steel Works Ltd

1998 / Q2

Along with refiners' economic needs for long, maintenance-free runs goes the requirement for high pressure, high temperature operation in large reactors.  The author describes developments in Cr-Mo steels to meet the increased stresses.
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Future role of industrial gas turbines

Shashi Dharmadhikari, Ingerop

1998 / Q2

Recent developments in gas turbine technology have produced impressive improvements in performance.  Some are described in this article, which also illustrates gas turbine applications in cogeneration and trigeneration.
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Production of high purity MIBK

Stephan Wilde and Dieter Sommer, Edeleanu GmbH

1998 / Q2

Methyl-isobutyl-ketone (MIBK) is a widely used solvent in the medium pressure boiling range.  Over 30 years, the single-stage MIBK process, using acetone as a feedstock, has been developed to a state-of-the-art technology.  This article examines the process.
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Economic advancements in propane dehydrogenation

J H Gregor, J M Andersen, T D Foley, UOP

1998 / Q2

Developments of the Oleflex process for conversion of light paraffins into propylene has culminated in a second-generation C3 complex, commissioned last year, and units of 350 000 tonnes/year capacity are on the drawing board.
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Process for ultra-purification of paraxylene

Oskar Fischer and Bernhard J Jans, Sulzer Chemtech Ltd

1998 / Q2

A new crystallisation process for paraxylene, which is a parent material for PET, is based on Sulzer Chemtech's heat pump crystalliser technology, and features two crystallisers and a refrigeration plant.  Energy consumption and investment costs are claimed to be lower than with conventional systems.
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Residue hydroconversion processes - New options

Bob Scheffer, Wim Rozema, K W Robschlager, Shell Global Solutions
F A Buhrman, Shell Netherlands Refinery, Pernis

1998 / Q3

The Hycon process has been operated at Shell's Pernis refinery for more than six years, and a moving bed retrofit has been developed to revamp fixed bed LR-HDS units, enabling them to handle heavier, higher metal feeds and to attain a cycle length of two years or longer.
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Two into one - a merger of neighbouring refineries

Horst Gobel and Bernd Raabe, MiRO Mineraloelraffinerie Oberrhein GmbH

1998 / Q3

It made economic sense to combine two adjacent German refineries, owned by OMW and ESSO, into one unified operation, particularly at a time of tight margins and changing market demands.  The authors describe the decisions and engineering that went into the making of the MiRO, Karlsruhe, refinery.
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An advance in fixed-bed alkylation technology

Johanna H Jonsdottir and Peter Sogaard-Andersen, Haldor Topsoe A/S

1998 / Q3

Fixed-Bed Alkylation (FBA) represents a new generation of alkylation technology, evolved from proven methods in use for many years.  The process described here combines the benefits of a liquid catalyst system with the advantages of a fixed-bed reactor.
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Design parameters for feed injectors

Christopher S Grant, BP Oil International.

1998 / Q3

FCC feed injector technology has advanced from being virtually a centrally mounted pipe stub at the base of the riser to an arrangement of complex radially mounted spray generators.  The parameters that affect feed injector design are discussed in this article.
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Development of residue hydrocracker project

Kenneth G Tasker, James J Colyar, Lawrence I Wisdom, IFP North America Inc

1998 / Q3

Tonen Corporation of Japan started-up its first residue hydrocracker, based on the H-Oil process, last year, after completing field construction of the 25000bpsd unit in a record 13 months.  This article outlines the history of the project, from technology selection to startup.
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Maximising distillate production from the FCC unit

John Black, Jon Petrunia, Robert T Powell, KBC Advanced Technologies Inc

1998 / Q3

In the heating oil season, many refiners switch from a gasoline to a distillate mode of operation of the FCC unit, to increase light cycle oil yield.  There are various steps to maximise distillate production; some are discussed here.
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Catalytic distillation to enhance gasoline quality: Part II

R M Foley, K L Rock, A Bakshi, W Groten, G Gildert, D Weidert, T McGuirk, CDTech

1998 / Q3

European regulations covering gasoline quality standards have moved on since Part I of this article appeared in the last issue.  With further reductions in sulphur levels now likely, a comparison of catalytic distillation (CD) and conventional technology in benzene reduction is discussed. 
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Revamping crude units to increase capacity

Kirtan Trivedi, Helmy Andrawis, Arif Habibullah, Parsons Energy & Chemicals Group Inc

1998 / Q3

Existing crude/vacuum unit capacity can be increased by revamping heat transfer, distillation columns and other equipment, applying Process Integration concepts.  The authors discuss new approaches to revamping crude columns, incorporating recent innovations in tray technologies.
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Speeding up revamps with modern technology

Richard Elliott, Kvaerner Process

1998 / Q3

Greater emphasis on safety and environmental issues is obliging process plant operators to revamp existing equipment, but new technology can now be used to facilitate the process, save time and costs, and enhance safety of the plant.
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Hydrocracker revamp for Grangemouth refinery

Marco Giannelli, BP Oil Grangemouth Refinery
Nigel Unsworth and Dave North, Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd

1998 / Q3

BP Oil's Grangemouth refinery has completed an extensive revamp of its hydrocracker and FCC, reducing production of fuel oil and upgrading to middle distillates to meet a growing market need. A case history of the project is given.

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Troubleshooting vacuum unit revamps

Scott W Golden, Process Consulting Services Inc

1998 / Q3

While Vaccum unit revamps increase gasoil yield, management is pushing the intervals between turnarounds to four or five years.  To meet the higher operating temperatures, vacuum unit process equipment must be designed for low residence time.
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Wastewater treatment at Conoco refinery

David E Smith, Hyder Consulting
Geoffrey Vickers, Conoco Ltd, Humber Refinery

1998 / Q3

A case study of new wastewater treatment facilities at Conoco's Humber refinery, in the UK, which has won two environmental awards.  An integrated approach to the development of the scheme is described, including waste minimisation and pilot scale studies.
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Improving para-xylene production economics

Robert A Lentz, UOP LLC
Douglas S Hubbel, Raytheon Engineers & Constructors

1998 / Q3

The authors describe how an alliance of three companies has brought together leading technologies from the para-xylene industry for the design, revamp or reconfiguration of para-xylene production facilities for increased profitability.
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Human factors engineering projects: Part I

Harrie J T Rensink and Martin E J van Uden, Shell Nederland Raffinaderij/Shell Nederland Chemie BV

1998 / Q3

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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FCC and visbreaker integration to improve bottom conversion

D Bhattacharyya, S Mandal, S K Das, N S Raman, A K Das, S K Shah, B S Rawat, S Makhija, S Ghosh, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd

1998 / Q4

It is impossible to enhance the overall conversion of heavy petroleum residues in the refinery by integrating the visbreaker with FCC/hydrocracker.  The integration involves the separation of heavy gasoil/vacuum gasoil cut from visbroken residue and processing in the FCC/hydroracker.
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Fluidised bed coking - utilising bottom of the barrel

D S McCaffrey, D G Hammond, V R Patel, Exxon Research and Engineering Company

1998 / Q4

Recent economic studies have indicated that Fluidised Bed Coking could be an attractive option for maximising use of the bottom of the barrel.  It is described as a continuous and relatively low cost thermal conversion process.
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Recovery of olefins from refinery offgases

Margaret M Shreehan, ABB Lummus Global Inc

1998 / Q4

Low pressure recovery of refinery offgases is discussed in this article, describing the Lummus process which eliminates the multi-stage feed gas compressor yet maintains over 90 per cent recovery of ethylene while cutting capital cost and reducing energy consumption.
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Tapping capacity potentials for residue FCC

Tsing Wu, Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Co Ltd

1998 / Q4

An innovative approach to eliminate bottlenecks on a residue FCC unit has resulted in much-increased tapping capacity.  The fluidisation quality and catalysis circulation after the revamp, together with the technical transformation and an economic analysis, are discussed in this article.
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Sulphuric acid recovery from sulpurous waste streams

Ole Rud Bendixen, Haldor Topsoe A/S

1998 / Q4

The WSA process is a catalytic system for producing concentrated sulphuric acid from any sulphur-containing offgas, without the use of chemicals.  Among its uses in refineries has been treatment of hydrotreater sour gases and onsite regeneration of spent sulphuric acid from alkylation.
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Results from an ex-situ presulphiding process

Daniel J Neuman, Hans Klaver, Brunu, Laakmann, Wolfgang, Schnabel, G Karl Simper, TRICAT

1998 / Q4

Commercial tests have been completed on a system which presulphides hydroprocessing catalyst before it is loaded.  XpresS-treated catalyst is loaded in air into the hydroprocessing unit.  Startup is simplified, and results show the presulphided catalyst is as active as those sulphided in-situ.
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Thermal use of residues in a combined heat and power plant

Werner Auel, Wolfgang Benesch, Hannes Reichel, Lurgi Lentjes Service GmbH

1998 / Q4

The major Leuna refinery complex in Germany is now drawing its energy from a heat and power plant specially built for the purpose.  The authors describe features of its design and experience gained in its operation.
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Practical considerations for crude unit revamps

Tony Barletta, Process Consulting Services Inc

1998 / Q4

Two examples are used in this article to illustrate how changes in the process flow scheme can increase preheat train heat recovery.  While each refinery's crude unit design, operation and equipment constraints differ, a practical approach can be applied to any crude unit revamp.
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Making the right choice in packaged steam generators

V Ganapathy, ABCO Industries Inc

1998 / Q4

This article outlines some of the recent developments in design and construction of packaged steam generators, which have the combined advantages of lower operating costs and reduced emissions of pollutants such as NOx and CO.
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Direct amine heating - a case study

Joanne Booth, Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd

1998 / Q4

Indirect heating of amine has been the traditional method in order to minimise the risk of overheating.  Two amine waste heat reboilers, which heat amine directly, have been supplied to Tunisia by Foster Wheeler.  They incorporate a number of features to ensure uniform heating, based on a flow model study.
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Revamping vacuum heaters

Ashutosh Garg, Furnace Improvements

1998 / Q4

With crudes becoming heavier, a number of refineries are carrying out deep cut revamps to improve cutpoint.  In most cases vacuum heaters can be revamped to handle increased capacity, with the bonus of improved efficiency and longer life.
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Gas phase polyethylene: process developments

David Newton, Jean-Claude Chinh, Michael Godfrey, John Steedman, BP Chemicals.

1998 / Q4

Since its discovery in 1933 the history of polyethylene (PE) has been one of continuous development in areas such as products, process and catalysis.  These developments continue today as new product applications are sought in an ever-growing marketplace.
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Integrating technologies for para-xylene production

Christian Dupraz, IFP Industrial Division
Maria D Farnos, Mobil Technology Company

1998 / Q4

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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Improved process integration through hydrogen recovery

Petru Bozga, Emil Olanescu, Dinu Timpoc, SC Fibrex SA
Renzo Coletti, Gaetano Iaquaniello, Francesco Vinci, Kinetics Technology Int SpA

1998 / Q4

The authors describe the upgrading of a purge gas stream from an acetylene production unit to pure hydrogen and carbon dioxide.  Both products were routed back into the main process in the chemical complex, achieving a better process integration and reducing the amount of wastes generated.
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