ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 presents a timeline for the development of refining and petrochemical technologies, highlighting the challenges of operating these facilities as well as discussing opportunities for integration of both industries in recent years. The evolution of new technologies is shown focusing on the needs that drove their development and the benefits that were realized by incorporating new technologies and related synergies. Hydrogen is discussed as a prime example for the opportunity for integration as it represents a feedstock on the refining side and a by-product on the petrochemical side. The authors present how technologies have developed in different geographic regions and the implications of these developments on the short-term outlook. Considering the economic and environmental impact, this chapter concludes with a forecast of how the developments of key technologies in both sectors will impact the integration of refining and petrochemicals as the rise of alternative energy sources and the implementation of future generations of materials (e.g., plastics and chemicals) will define the needs for adjustment in refining and petrochemicals and the drivers for integration.
