GEA Wiegand has received two large orders for vacuum systems for the expansion of two Indian refineries. In the refinery sector particularly high emphasis is put on low-energy processes because the margins for the processing of crude oil consumer products are very small. In the inquiry the main focus was put on the total cost of ownership.

Exxon boosts its petrochemical hub Singapore: The company plans to expand the production capacity for halobutyl rubber and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins by a total of 230,000 tons/year.

Petrofac and Danos, a US-based family-owned and managed integrated oilfield services provider, have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Both the companies are in talks to form a joint venture agreement to attract business opportunities.

Sadara, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and The Dow Chemical Company, announced the commissioning of the last of its 26 plants: an isocyanates section currently producing crude quantities of toluene di isocyanate (TDI) and other specialty chemicals.

Falling energy prices, cheap feedstock and reduced global dependencies: Shale gas is America’s new bonanza. But while European manufacturers lament the slow development in the “Old World”, its time to face the chances that this boom provides for chemical companies. Fracking fluids and waste water treatment solutions call for innovative solutions.

Praj Industries and Gevo jointly announced that Gevo’s proprietary isobutanol technology will now be available for licensing to processors of sugar cane juice and molasses.

The plant at Borealis in Stenungsund (Sweden) operates 24 hours a day, year after year. The process is only stopped every six years for service and maintenance to be carried out. Borealis has now replaced the raw gas compressor motor at the cracker plant in order to boost capacity and ensure continuous operation. A 24.5 MW motor will ensure the operational availability of the petrochemical plant.

Oil sands have become a major source of unconventional oil: Canada produces around 1.25 million barrels per day from oil sands. Extracting the oil, nevertheless, causes CO2 emissions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a new approach to hamper emissions from bitumen extraction. Compressor specialist MAN took the challenge of providing technology for the Quest CCS Project.

Harmonization of European laws has increased the stringency of requirements covering design, safe use, and leakage control in pumps. When handling inherently hazardous liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) pump designs should tick all the regulatory boxes as well as bring economic benefits to operators.

SPX's new Novados H8 pumps use the well-established Bran+Luebbe hydraulically actuated pump heads that offer proven performance and reliability.