Communicator

🔥 The recent fire at Chevron's El Segundo refinery (October 2, 2025) that specifically affected the Isomax 7 unit underscores the continued relevance of understanding legacy hydrocracking technologies and their inherent safety challenges.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS of our new ISOMAX analysis:
✅ Two-stage fixed-bed configuration for VGO upgrading
✅ Historical evolution from 1980s UOP technology development
✅ Commercial status - no longer licensed but legacy units still operating globally
✅ Safety considerations - high hydrogen pressures (500-1,500 psig) and thermal management challenges

⛑️ PROCESS SAFETY PERPSECTIVE:
The El Segundo incident (300-foot flames, extensive emergency response) highlights the enhanced risks in catalytic refinery operations - whether hydrocracking, FCC, or alkylation units. With 46 violations at this facility over 5 years, the industry must prioritize safety management for both modern and legacy technologies.

🗃️ ppPLUS COMPREHENSIVE TECHNOLOGY DATABASE
The Portfolio Planning PLUS comprehensive technology database continues growing with 340 process technologies documented, supporting informed decision-making for technology selection, safety analysis, and modernization planning.

What's your experience with legacy hydrocracking operations
How do you balance operational efficiency with safety management in aging catalytic units.

Please let us know by replying to this message 👇👇👇

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