PETROCHEMICALS
Petrochemicals and AI
Creating a sustainable petrochemical industry depends on being able to measure performance in precise terms . Aramco and IBM are setting up an innovation hub in Saudi Arabia that will address issues such as the circular economy , material discovery , sustainability , supply chain , digitalization and artificial intelligence , using technologies in hybrid cloud , AI and quantum computing .
materials for new products . At the SATORP refinery in Jubail , a consortium consisting of TotalEnergies , Aramco and SABIC is converting oil derived from plastic waste into polymers . In a new plant in Frankfurt-Höchst , Germany , Arcus Greencycling Technologies pyrolyzes plastic waste into a condensate that is used to produce new products .
Bio-based plastics This is an emerging industry , comprising only 1 % of the plastics market . Despite concerns about competition for land use with agriculture , and the challenge of integrating them into waste management systems , there is great growth potential . Achievements so far include Coca-Cola ’ s bottle made of 100 % plantbased plastic ; Dow and New Energy Blue ’ s collaboration to develop bio-based ethylene from corn residue ; and Sumitomo Chemical ’ s pilot facility ( under construction ) to produce propylene directly from ethanol .
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Biodegradable plastic Recycling , incineration or consigning waste to a landfill can be avoided if one makes plastics that can biodegrade or compost on its own . One of the leaders in this field is Danimer Scentific , which is collaborating with Chevron Phillips to make polyhydroxyalkanoate ( PHA ), synthesized from lactones produced using Danimer ’ s proprietary catalyst technology .
CCS / CCU Carbon capture and storage ( CCS ) has become a well-established technique in several industries , ranging for steel making to oil & gas and petrochemicals . Carbon capture and utilization ( CCU ) is relatively new . Recycled CO2 has several uses : it can be converted into polyether used in mattresses , while researchers at the UK Centre have used CO2 to make nylon . Linde and Heidelberg Materials are using BASF technology to build a CCU facility . Most of the resulting liquid CO2 will be sold as a feedstock for the chemicals industry and into the food & drink markets . Messer has just announced a CO2 recovery plant that will cater for the food & drink industry .
Fossil-free energy An important way to reduce carbon footprint is to use fossil-free energy such as renewables , hydrogen or nuclear power . Reliance has stated it will “ use solar energy to decarbonise our O2C business and use green hydrogen generated from renewable sources – and CO2 as raw materials to develop a road map for new green chemicals , green fertiliser , and
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TSV Module NAMUR Manifold Block e-fuels .” TotalEnergies has announced it will generate electricity from green hydrogen with an electrolyzer built by VNG . Dow and X-energy are exploring the possible use of a nuclear SMR ( Small Modular Reactor ) as an energy source .
Valves in the petrochemical industry
Valves play a critical role in the petrochemical industry , regulating the flow of fluids and gases , and ensuring safe and efficient operations . They are used in a wide range of applications , from controlling the flow of raw materials to regulating the output of finished products . In the petrochemical industry , valves must be able to withstand harsh conditions , including high temperatures , high pressures , and corrosive environments . Materials such as stainless steel , duplex stainless steel , and nickel alloys are commonly used in valve construction to ensure durability and reliability . One example of a valve designed specifically for the petrochemical industry is the thermal shutoff valve series developed by Assured Automation . These valves are critical components in refinery , terminal , and chemical piping systems , providing an additional layer of safety in the event of a fire or other emergency . Another example is the Double Block and Bleed pipeline valves supplied by Oliver Twinsafe for use on monoethylene glycol ( MEG ) injection pump systems . These valves are made from A182 F55 super-duplex grade stainless steel , which offers excellent resistance to corrosion and high temperatures . They have been dynamically tested to meet the requirements of API 6A PSL level 3 , ensuring their suitability for demanding petrochemical applications . As the petrochemical industry continues to evolve and embrace sustainability , valve manufacturers are developing new technologies and materials to meet changing needs . Smart valves , equipped with sensors and connected to Industrial Internet of Things ( IIoT ) platforms , are becoming increasingly popular , allowing for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance . Additionally , the use of 3D printing technology is enabling the production of complex valve components with improved performance and reduced lead times .
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Assured Automation has developed its thermal shutoff valve series . TSVs are critical components in refinery , terminal , and chemical piping systems .
References
( 1 ) https :// www . iea . org / reports / the-future-ofpetrochemicals .
( 2 ) https :// www . imarcgroup . com / petrochemicals-market .
( 3 ) https :// www . cladcodecking . co . uk / blog / post / uk-recycling-facts-and-statistics ; https :// www . slrecyclingltd . co . uk .
26 Valve World June 2024 www . valve-world . net