Reliability program improves refinery sulfur plant operations

Journal Article · Mon Sep 02 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Oil and Gas Journal

OSTI ID:376099

Braithwaite, J R ^[1]

---

1. American Western Refining LP, Lawrenceville, IL (United States)

The refining industry continues to live with the consequences of some 20 years of environmental laws, many of which have been implemented in ways that lack common sense. This is particularly apparent as regulators strive to reduce remaining emissions by small increments at increasing costs. Excessive environmental rule making will require refiners to improve efficiency by taking aggressive action to control excess emissions and maintenance costs. In 1994, indian Refining Co. implemented a reliability improvement program at its 86,000 b/d Lawrenceville, Ill., refinery. The goal of the program was to eliminate unplanned shutdowns of the refinery`s sulfur recovery operations. The reliability improvement program has reduced sulfur dioxide (SO{sub 2}) emissions dramatically. The program clearly has been effective in achieving environmental compliance and improved economic viability through increased equipment reliability. This paper reviews this plant`s steps to obtain these results.

• OSTI ID: 376099
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal, Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal Journal Issue: 36 Vol. 94; ISSN 0030-1388; ISSN OIGJAV
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REDUCTION
SULFUR DIOXIDE