Refinery gas, also referred to as "still gas" or "refiner fuel gas," plays a crucial role within petroleum refining facilities. Its primary use is providing energy and essential resources directly for the various operations that take place within the refinery itself.
Powering Refinery Operations
A significant portion of refinery gas is channeled back into the system to fuel critical processes. This direct use ensures the refinery has a consistent and readily available energy source without needing to rely heavily on external power or fuel.
Key energy generation applications include:
- Generating Heat: Used directly in furnaces to provide the high temperatures required for distillation and other thermal cracking processes.
- Producing Steam: Powers boilers to create steam, essential for heating, separation, and driving turbines.
- Generating Electricity: Fed into gas turbines to produce electricity, powering the numerous pumps, compressors, and control systems throughout the facility.
Producing Hydrogen for Processing
Another vital application of refinery gas is in the production of hydrogen. Hydrogen is an indispensable resource in modern refining, used in various processes to improve the quality of petroleum products.
The hydrogen generated from refinery gas is then utilized within the refinery for purposes such as:
- Removing Sulfur: This process, known as hydrodesulfurization, uses hydrogen to remove sulfur compounds from different fuel fractions, meeting environmental regulations for cleaner fuels.
- Converting Fractions: Hydrogen is used in hydrocracking and other conversion processes to break down heavier hydrocarbon molecules into lighter, more valuable products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
By using refinery gas in these ways, refineries optimize their operations, reduce waste, and produce cleaner, higher-quality fuels.
