(546c) Innovative Chemical Engineering Applications to Control Air Emissions From Oil Refineries

Wet gas scrubbing technology is a well proven and reliable method for controlling flue gas emissions of particulate, SOx and NOx to the atmosphere from fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCUs) used in oil refineries.

This paper will show that there has been a viable technology for the past several years that can minimize environmental impacts using innovative chemical engineering practices along with design of unique proprietary equipment that provides non-stop operation for at least five years. The paper will provide details of the unique design that have been used at well over 50 installations at oil refineries in the U.S and overseas. A description of the wet scrubbing system utilized for this project is described. Specifically, this description will address the methodology for removing particulate, SO₂ and NOx and the process for treating the liquid effluent from the wet scrubbing system. Also addressed are the aspects of three designs that allow for achieving different levels of particulate emissions.

This paper is also an attempt to compare a presentation made at the AIChE Spring meeting that a Genetic Algorithm Approach for Optimal Control of Air Emissions from an Oil Refinery was possible.

 The reduction of environmental impacts is an essential step towards the improvement of sustainability for any given producer.