Natural gas and crude distillates such as naphtha from petroleum refining are used as feedstocks to manufacture a wide range of PETROCHEMICALs that are in turn used in the manufacture of consumer goods. PETROCHEMICAL plants are typically large and complex, and the combination and sequence of products manufactured are often unique to the plant. PETROCHEMICAL plants generate significant amounts of solid wastes and sludges, some of which are hazardous because of the presence of toxic organics and heavy metals. A good practice target for a PETROCHEMICAL complex is to reduce total organic emissions (including VOCs) from the process units to 0. 6% of the throughput. In this paper a variety of control of air emissions techniques is has been studied. PETROCHEMICAL waste waters often require a combination of treatment methods to remove oil and other contaminants before discharge. For solid and hazardous wastes, combustion (preceded in some cases by solvent extraction) of toxic organics is considered an effective treatment technology for PETROCHEMICAL organic wastes. Steam stripping and oxidation are also used for treating organic waste streams. The generation of sludges should be minimized. Wastes containing toxic metals should be stabilized before disposal.

Background and Objective: Shift work is a major feature of working life that affects diverse aspects of human life. The objective of this study was to investigate shift work-related health problems and their associated risk factors among employees of PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES.Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at 14 PETROCHEMICAL companies in 2009. Study population consisted of 2357 workers (including 43.7% shift workers and 56.3% day workers). Data on personal details, shift schedule and adverse effects of shift work were collected by anonymous questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 11.5. The level of significance was set at <5%.Results: The mean of age in day workers and shift workers was estimated 36.26±8.20 and 34.96±8.08, respectively. Also, the mean of job tenure in both groups was estimated 10.83±7.50 and 10.15±7.55 years, respectively. Although, the results showed that health problems among shift workers was more prevalent than day workers, but the differences were only significant in relation to gastroi- ntestinal and psychological disorders (P<0.05). Multiple linear regressions indicated that in addition to shift working, other variants such as long working hours, type of employment, second job, age and education were associated with health problems.Conclusions: Prevalence rates of gastrointestinal and psychological problems among shift workers were significantly higher than those of day workers. Although, working in shift system was the main significant factor associated with the reported problems, other demographic and work variables were also found to have association.

Background & Aims: Shift work is programmed in various schedules, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main purposes of this study were: a) to determine common shift schedules used in PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, b) to compare shift work health-related problems among employees working in different shift schedules and c) to recommend appropriate shift schedule.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at 14 PETROCHEMICAL companies. Study population consisted of 987 shift workers. Data on demographic features, shift schedule and adverse effects of shift work were collected via anonymous questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 11.5. Results: Among 987 studied shift employees, 27% worked in 3M-3E-3N-3Res, 61% in 4M-4E-4N-4Res and 12% in 12-hour schedules. Health problems such as gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders among 4M-4E-4N-4Res schedule shift workers were significantly less prevalent than other schedules (P<0.05). Furthermore, the results showed that the prevalence rates of health problems among 12-hour schedule shift workers were higher than 3M-3E-3N-3Res schedule workers.Conclusions: Since 12-hour schedule caused higher rates of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders among shift workers as compared with 4M-4E-4N-4Res and 3M-3E-3N-3Res schedules, it should be avoided in shift system. Based on the results, 8-hour schedules with clockwise rapid rotation are recommended.

Purpose: Managers have always sought to predict the future of the company so that they may take an effective step in building or changing the future. This has led scholars in various fields to look for solutions to overcome the growing uncertainty phenomenon, with a particular focus on foresight and future studies. The purpose of the research is to increase the ability of companies to predict the future of the PETROCHEMICAL industry and validation of different dimensions of the macro-level observatory model. Methodology: This research is of mixed method, Interviewed in a qualitative section of managers with more than ten years in PETROCHEMICAL industry and continued until the theoretical saturation, that included 20 interviews. The statements extracted from the interviews were extracted using the Charmaz approach and analyzed by MAXQDA software. The statistical population comprises 462 managers of the Persian Gulf PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES Company. The number of samples was determined by the Cochran formula at the error rate of 1%, 80 individuals. In the quantitative part, a researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 90 managers of different companies in different levels, finally, 82 questionnaires were analyzed for analysis. Factor analysis was performed using SPSS and WarpPLS software for quantitative data analysis. Findings and Results: The PETROCHEMICAL Industry Observatory model was presented in the form of 7 main concepts, 21 axial concepts and 127 propositions. The validity of the developed model was measured in this respect the dimensions of the observatory model were confirmed. Model dimensions and significance coefficient for each of the dimensions of the macro level of the PETROCHEMICAL industry include: Political (0. 791), economic (0. 952), environmental (0. 596), social (0. 402), technological (0. 720), legal (0. 842), and international (0. 682). The identified dimensions of the macro level of the PETROCHEMICAL industry as observatory data will lead to more knowledge and wisdom in order to make better decision makers.

Molecular characterization of three grades of polyethylene, synthesized by Iranian PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, was performed by dilute solution viscometry, viscometry at zero shear rate and melt flow index measurements. The results show that for molecular weight measurement with dilute solution viscometry, a threshold elution time of the solvent of 100 s is necessary. Also, the method by which the polymer solution is prepared may affect the value obtained for the average molecular weight. To prevent the molecular weight decrease due to degradation during sample preparation and experimental tests, the residence time of the solution at high temperature should be maintained as short as possible. On the other hand, the molecular weight distribution calculated, based on its relationship with zero shear viscosity and M v, showed comparable agreement with MFI10/MFI2.16 for some of the samples.