Carbon dioxide dioxmitigation

Abstract

Stringent regulations on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources (in general) and petroleum refineries (in particular) are being enforced world wide. Low-sulfur clean fuels enhance the demand for petroleum refinery utility gases (e.g., hydrogen, H2), which in turn leads to an increase in carbon-emission-intensive processes. This will ultimately force refineries to start implementing CO2 mitigation measures, which are increasingly evident in the strategies of industrial countries. In this work, we describe the major processes that contribute to a typical petroleum refinery’s global CO2 emissions. Typical sources include unit utilities (i. e., heaters, boilers, and furnaces), fluid catalytic cracking units, hydrogen production (HP) units, flaring, and acid gas removal. A case study for a mega refinery structure is also given detailing a methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from various processes. The carbon footprint and specific emissions of various sources being considered are also reported.