(169d) Benzene Regulations and the Refinery H2 Balance

Maximum benzene limits in gasoline are posing a number of challenges to refiners. One of the less obvious challenges is negative impact on refinery H2 balance. Whether addressing the issue by pre-fractionating naphtha or post-fractionating reformate, the refinery will have less H2 than it has today. The impact of the various processing routes to comply with new regulations on the refinery H2 balance will be discussed. Also discussed is a general approach to address and improve the refinery's H2 balance through systematic, refinery-wide H2 management.