Refineries are primarily used for the processing of crude oil into motor and heating fuels but also for the production of gaseous fuels, synthesis gases, petrochemicals and feeds for lubricants production and asphalt.
The widespread use of fossil fuels has a great effect on the environment. New guidelines and developments will reduce the impact fossil fuels have:
More severe environmental protection laws require cleaner production and products as well as fewer emissions.
Long-term market tendencies are shifting the product range to more middle distillates.
Globalization increases the pressure for operating refineries at optimum efficiency.
Industrial gases play a vital role in meeting these requirements. Some examples:
Adding oxygen to the air in the Claus process results in a number of benefits, e.g. increased plant capacity, more flexibility, improved conversion of ammonia.
Wastewater treatment is another example. Adding oxygen with the SOLVOX® process increases i.a. the treatment capacity of an existing plant. Its a very low investment and can be flexibly adjusted to seasonal needs.
Hydrogen is essential to hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes.
