Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Minimization of air pollutants emissions by process improvement of catalytic reforming unit in an Iranian old refinery

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy volume 13, pages 743–749 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

The old oil refineries are largest chemical industries that are responsible for emission of several pollutants and GHGs. It is possible to minimize energy usage as well as air pollution by some process modification. The main objectives of this investigation were the minimization of air pollution and CO2 emissions in catalytic reforming unit in an oldest and largest refinery in Iran. To assess the air quality, ten sampling stations were selected for measurement of CO, H2S, SO2, and PM10 in ambient air. Also concentrations of C1–C5, H2S, and CO2 were measured in selected unit. In final, structural and process flaws were identified by analyzing real functional circumstances and they were modified. Results show that SO2, H2S, and PM10 concentrations are higher than ambient air standard levels in all seasons. Also, according to achieved results, the cold separator gas flow rate is reduced from 38,936 kg/day (once-through gas process) to 9,649 kg/day (recycle gas process). Beside CO2 and SO2 emission rates will be reduced 1803 and 136.5 kg/day in this unit, respectively. Furthermore, the modification of this process causes prevention of 1654 kg CO2 emission into the atmosphere, during each coke burning and catalytic regeneration.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

References

  • Berkel R (2007) Cleaner production and eco-efficiency initiatives in Western Australia 1996–2004. J Clean Prod 8–9:741–755

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of process engineering in Abadan refinery (2009) Regeneration reports 2000–2009

  • Dikshit AK, Dutta A, Ray S (2005) Least cost SO2 emission minimization for a petroleum refinery by optimum use of source reduction, tail gas treatment and flue gas desulphurization. Clean Technol Environ Policy 7(3):182–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donald M (1985) Catalytic reforming. PennWell Book Publishing Company, Oklahoma

  • Dov VG, Friedler F, Huisingh D, Klemes J (2009) Cleaner energy for sustainable future. J Clean Prod 17:889–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekins P, Vanner R, Firebrace J (2007) Zero emissions of oil in water from offshore oil and gas installations: economic and environmental implications. J Clean Prod 15:1302–1315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez I, Ruiz MC (2009) Descriptive model and evaluation system to locate sustainable industrial areas. J Clean Prod 17:87–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hojer M, Ahlroth S, Dreborg KH, Ekvall T, Finnveden G, Hjelm O, Hochschorner E, Nilsson M, Palm V (2008) Scenarios in selected tools for environmental systems analysis. J Clean Prod 16:1958–1970

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyprotech (2003) HYSYS 3.2 customization guide, p 4

  • Jiandonga Z, Ganga R, Weifeng H, Chenbo H (2010) Simulation based approach for optimal scheduling of fuel gas system in refinery. Chem Eng Res Des 88:87–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jovanovic J, Jovanovic M, Jovanovi A, Marinovic V (2010) Introduction of cleaner production in the tank farm of the Pancevo Oil Refinery, Serbia. J Clean Prod 18:791–798

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karavanas A, Chaloulakou A, Spyrellis N (2009) Evaluation of the implementation of best available techniques in IPPC context: an environmental performance indicators approach. J Clean Prod 17:480–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karbassi AR, Abbaspour M, Sekhavatjou MS, Ziviyar F, Saeedi M (2008) Potential for reducing air pollution from oil refineries. Environ Monit Assess 145:159–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ke-min L, Hai-yan G, Shi-wei P (2005) A study on naphtha catalytic reforming reactor simulation and analysis. J Zhejiang Univ Sci 6(6):590–596

    Google Scholar 

  • Klemes J, Huisingh D (2008) Economic use of renewable resources, LCA, cleaner batch processes and minimising emissions and wastewater. J Clean Prod 16:159–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohaddeci SR, Sadighi S, Zahedi S, Bonyad H (2006) Reactor modeling and simulation of catalytic reforming process. Pet Coal 48(3):28–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohaddecy SR, Sadighi S, Bahmani M (2008) Optimization of catalyst distribution in the catalytic naphtha reformer of Tehran refinery. Pet Coal 50(2):60–68

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moraes E, Alvarez MET, Maciel MRW, Filho RM (2007) Simulation and optimization of a supercritical extraction process for recovering provitamin A. In: 27th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals Book, Humana Press, Totowa, pp 1041–1050

  • Rao PS, Ankam S, Ansari M, Gavane AG, Kumar A, Pandit VI, Nema P (2005) Monitoring of hydrocarbon emissions in a petroleum refinery. Environ Monit Assess 108(1–3):123–132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rao PS, Ansari MF, Gavane AG, Pandit VI, Nema P, Devotta S (2007) Seasonal variation of toxic benzene emissions in petroleum refinery. Environ Monit Assess 128(1–3):323–328

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silva PRS, Amaral G (2009) An integrated methodology for environmental impacts and costs evaluation in industrial processes. J Clean Prod 17:1339–1350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Speight JG (1980) The chemistry and technology of petroleum book, Chapter 3, MBI Dekker Inc., Newyork, p 65

  • UOP (1961) Abadan catalytic reformer manual book. Technical manual of Abadan oil refinery, pp 1–8

  • UOP (1995) Naphtha hydrotreating process handbook. Technical manual of Abadan oil refinery, p x-8

  • Xu A, Indala S, Hertwig TA, Pike RW, Knopf FC, Yaws CL, Hopper JR (2005) Development and integration of new processes consuming carbon dioxide in multi-plant chemical production complexes. Clean Technol Environ Policy 7(2):97–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Khouzestan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

    M. S. Sekhavatjou, A. Hosseini Alhashemi & E. Daemolzekr

  2. Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    A. R. Karbassi

Authors
  1. M. S. Sekhavatjou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Hosseini Alhashemi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. R. Karbassi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Daemolzekr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. S. Sekhavatjou.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sekhavatjou, M.S., Hosseini Alhashemi, A., Karbassi, A.R. et al. Minimization of air pollutants emissions by process improvement of catalytic reforming unit in an Iranian old refinery. Clean Techn Environ Policy 13, 743–749 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-011-0347-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-011-0347-3

Keywords

search

Navigation