Bringing decarbonisation to life

As a prominent energy producer, Brazil’s government has worked to increase domestic oil production. In addition, discoveries of pre-salt oil deposits have propelled Brazil into the top 10 of global liquid fuels producers, as reported by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

However, the process of refining raw petroleum into marketable fuels and chemicals is energy intensive, resulting in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Statista reports that Brazil’s refining industry generated about 0.49 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 in 2021. The Carbon Emission Accounts and Datasets-Global Refinery Emission Inventory (CEADs-GREI) estimates that oil refineries worldwide could generate up to 16.5 Gt from 2020 to 2030.

Refineries are an indispensable link in the energy supply chain. They also have the power to contribute towards decarbonisation. To achieve this, refineries can implement various mitigation strategies. They can upgrade heavy oil-processing technologies, improve refinery efficiency, use alternative power sources, and integrate energy initiatives with other local manufacturing plants to create an industrial cluster strategy. These solutions have the potential to reduce global cumulative refinery and petrochemical emissions by 10% from 2020 to 2030, according to the CEADs-GREI research. To reach these goals, accurate reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is paramount. This helps refineries identify areas where they can reduce their emissions and improve their environmental performance. Accurate reporting can also lead to higher credit ratings for disclosing refineries.

Therefore, implementing a GHG emissions management software solution is crucial. This advanced technology measures the composition and concentration of the main emissions from multiple sources throughout the plant and across all its assets – from key stacks, or even a select few. Besides calculating emissions, it also tracks energy production, energy consumption, and process efficiencies. By tracking their performance in real time, refineries can take prompt action.

Case study: Acelen, Brazil

The Acelen Mataripe refinery in Brazil is a key player in the country’s energy sector and has made energy transition one of its top priorities. With a production capacity of 300 000 bpd of oil, Acelen is committed to decreasing GHG emissions from its operations. This effort is crucial considering Brazil’s pledge to reduce GHGs by 50% in 2030 compared to 2005, per Enerdata.

Therefore, refineries such as Acelen play a crucial role in global sustainability, but how can they ensure their operations do not harm the environment? The answer lies in embracing advanced technologies that continuously monitor GHG emissions and other pollutants. Carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) are some of the contaminants that refiners need to monitor.

This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering magazine. To read the full article, sign in or register for a free subscription.

Written by Pablo Jimenez-Asenjo, Federico Neira and Nicolas Visuara, KBC, alongside Rafael Rebouças de Araujo, Joana Variani and Juan Carlos Moreno, Acelen.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/special-reports/11092023/bringing-decarbonisation-to-life/