You are currently viewing: Q&A

• How can we decrease gas consumption in refineries? which is a better process for the same?

  Jan-2025

Answers

• Marcio Wagner da Silva, Petrobras, marciows@petrobras.com.br

  The best way to reduce the gas consumption in crude oil refineries is to adopt a good energy efficiency plan in the processing units, especially in crude oil distillation units which are responsible for the major part of the energy consumption in the crude oil refineries. We published an article versing on this topic in the Q2 2022 issue of PTQ Magazine (Energy management and sustainability of the downstream industry) detailing some energy efficiency actions capable of reducing the energy intensity of the refining processes and consequently reduce gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In a more strategic point of view and less operational, the refiners can maximize the electrification of the refining units reducing the dependence of the conventional arrangement of burning gas in boilers to produce steam and then generate power in steam power generators or through gas turbines. This is an important and modern trade off for refiners, considering that the electrification will reduce the dependence of gas burn but will raise the dependence form external power suppliers once will reduce the internal power generation of the refinery. This can be a good strategy depending on the reliability of the external power supplier once, with lower internal power generation, an external power outage will lead to the shutdown of the whole refinery with severe process safety risks as well as high intensity carbon emissions by the flaring systems.

   

  Jan-2025