Axens raízen reached 300 licensed Prime-G+ units worldwide following the commissioning of a new FCC gasoline desulfurization facility at its refinery in Argentina. This milestone comes after 25 years of implementing this technology in the refining sector.
The commissioning of this process allows Raízen to produce gasoline with a lower sulfur content to meet stricter environmental specifications. The process is designed to remove sulfur from gasoline produced by fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units while preserving the value of the treated fuel.
Furthermore, the project introduces another relevant component for refineries modular execution. The main process modules were designed and manufactured under the responsibility of Axens before their transfer and installation at the refinery.
Axens reaches 300 licensed Prime-G+ units
Prime-G+ is specifically geared towards FCC gasoline treatment, a current in which reducing the sulfur content can pose conservation-related challenges octane the technology allows for deep desulfurization downstream of the FCC unit while maintaining optimal octane retention. This balance is important for refineries that must produce fuels with strict specifications without unnecessarily reducing the value of their gasoline production.
According to the data released about the technology, Around 70% of the world’s low-sulfur gasoline uses Prime-G+ this proportion reflects the widespread adoption of the process within fuel refining and treatment operations. Furthermore, Axens points out that the solution contributes to improving the energy efficiency of FCC gasoline treatment and reducing its environmental footprint. Thus, sulfur reduction aligns with operational criteria that currently influence refinery investments.
Modular construction accelerated the Raízen project
On the other hand, the unit installed for Raízen was executed using prefabricated process modules this was an alternative to conventional construction, primarily carried out on-site at the refinery. The project faced logistical challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these difficulties, the modules were delivered and installed, and the unit subsequently completed its commissioning and startup.
This approach reduced on-site construction activities and accelerated execution compared to a conventional installation built directly on-site. It also facilitates greater control over aspects such as costs, execution timelines, and equipment performance before final installation. Modularization had been used primarily in projects located in remote areas or subject to challenging weather conditions. Its application in the Argentine refinery demonstrates how this model is expanding its use as an alternative for constructing new process units.
Raízen incorporates a new unit to produce cleaner gasoline
With the commissioning of Prime-G+, the Raízen refinery incorporates capacity to obtain Ultra-low sulfur gasoline through the treatment of streams from FCC. For Axens, the startup represents the 300th unit of a technology deployed over a quarter of a century. For Raízen, it means incorporating a process aimed at adjusting gasoline quality to strict environmental requirements while protecting the product’s octane rating. In this way, the project combines FCC gasoline desulfurization, processing efficiency, and modular construction in a facility that is already operational in Argentina.
Source: Hydrocarbon Processing
Photo: Shutterstock
