PROCESS DESIGN CHALLENGES IN PRODUCING CLEAN FUELS PROJECTS IN BROWNFIELD REFINERY

Abstract

In Asia, with increasing pressure to meet environmental Diesel Euro 5 fuel specifications, older refineries have the choice of upgrading their plants to prepare for this change. Changes that have to be thought off are not limited to the technology to be selected. Still, the more complex issues would be the brownfield elements, plot constraints, utilities, and offsite constraints. Older refineries will face a dilemma in meeting the more current design standards, especially those related to safety. Another key consideration is to scope the project’s boundary, which has to be considered is the brownfield process unit limitations. The obsolete plant documents are also another challenge. Test run data has to be obtained to define the plant’s current performance and determine the current efficiencies of the equipment instead of assuming the equipment as new. This report provides insight into the challenges faced in designing old plants to meet Euro 5 requirements.