August 2026
The August issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering opens with a review of the current status of the North American energy sector by Contributing Editor, Gordon Cope, with particular focus how on-going conflict in the Middle East is affecting operations in the region. The issue then explores a number of key topics affecting the downstream sector, such as catalysts, heat exchangers, maintenance and reliability, distillation and filtration, decarbonisation strategies, refining and petrochemicals technology, and many more.
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Profit amid pressure
Gordon Cope, Contributing Editor, considers how war in the Middle East is permanently changing the foundations of the North American energy sector.
Integration for optimisation
Ashutosh Patil, Himanshu Chauhan, and Adrien Serve, UNICAT, illustrate how an integrated suite of modelling and data reconciliation tools can provide hydrogen/syngas plant operators with assurance of catalyst health to enable optimised plant performance throughout the full catalyst service life.
Zeolites in the circular refinery
Dr. Danny Verboekend, Zeopore Technologies, discusses how accessible, mesoporous zeolites can aid refineries as they seek to adopt circular processes amid the need for decarbonisation.
Unlocking profit in naphtha hydrotreating units
Xavier E. Ruiz Maldonado and Mohamed Khalil, Topsoe North America, discuss how refiners can increase profit in naphtha hydrotreating units with advanced technology and catalyst solutions.
Better dewaxing through intra-bed redispersion
Vikash Patel, Crystaphase, USA, describes how a targeted redispersion technology installed within a diesel dewaxing bed at a North American refinery helped support higher diesel production by improving gas-liquid distribution.
In times of change: a process screening solution
A. Müller, G. Wasserschaff, N. Brem, and E. Dhaouadi, hte, explore how a flexible compact unit with a lower degree of parallelisation could improve catalyst screening and process optimisation amid changing market demands.
The essentials of precious metals recovery
Recovering precious metals from spent catalysts is a high-stakes process where accurate sampling, ethical refining, and technical expertise are important. Brad Cook, Sabin Metal Corp., USA, explains.
Methanol’s moment
Robert Jolly, Johnson Matthey, discusses how operators can use elements of established loop and reactor designs from conventional coal and natural gas-based plants to de-risk sustainable methanol projects.
A unique approach to alkylation – part 2
In the second of this two-part article, Bhavdip Kalaria, KBR, presents selected case studies that demonstrate how solid acid alkylation can be used in refineries and petrochemical operations.
Enabling efficiency fulfilling mega capacities
Senthil Krishnamoorthy, Sulzer Chemtech USA Inc., Abdul Rashid Ansari, Sulzer India Private Ltd, Narendra Verma and SK Jiaul Amin, HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd, India, alongside Lorenzo Del Carlo, Lummus Technology LLC, discuss the design and performance of an approach to distillation trays for petrochemical operations.
Lessons learned
Luis Alberto Torres-Morales, Jorge Luis Cabrera-Amador, and Leandro Ruiz-Ruiz, Braskem Idesa, alongside Ian Buttridge and David Lin, GTI Solutions, discuss how optimised demethanisers design can reduce methane slip and improve energy efficiency, with a particular focus on two retrofit projects.
Improving heat transfer
Art Lamm and Masakazu Koizumi, Kurita, discuss the latest methods of steam condensation treatment to improve heat transfer.
Advancing electrification
Johann Lainer, Watlow, discusses how electrification across the LNG industry can bolster operational performance while meeting decarbonisation targets.
Making existing assets effective
Álvaro Grande, Burckhardt Compression, USA, discusses how zero-hour revamps can offer an attractive solution for operators who seek to extend the lifespan of existing equipment without significant cost outlay.
Extending vessel life
Hayden Hill, Integrated Global Services (IGS), discusses how a risk-based integrity approach can extend asset life, reduce downtime risk, and optimise maintenance expenditure.
Maximising safety and performance
Danny Van Den Burg, Swagelok, considers how operators can best optimise gas distribution systems for both safety and efficiency.
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