Honeywell UOP technology to expand Egyptian petrol plant
UOP, a Honeywell company, has announced that Egypt's Alexandria National Refining & Petrochemicals Company (ANRPC) will use UOP technology and equipment as part of a $300 million (appr. €268 million), multi-year project to expand an existing petrol production facility.
ANRPC will add a second UOP continuous catalytic reforming (CCR) platforming process unit, including a modular CCR section, at the facility in Alexandria to produce high-quality reformate, which is used to produce high-octane, low-sulfur petrol.
ANRPC installed the first UOP CCR unit at the site in 2001.
Egypt became a net importer of gasoline in 2008, as domestic supply has not kept up with demand, which has grown by an average of 3% annually over the past 10 years.
‘This expansion is critical as it will significantly reduce the amount of high-octane gasoline imported by Egypt,’ said ANRPC chairman Ahmed Abo El Rooh.
‘We selected a second CCR unit from Honeywell UOP, which will be delivered in modular form, to help ensure reliable operations and the shortest possible project schedule."
Mike Millard, vice president and general manager of process technology and equipment at UOP, says a second CCR unit will help Egypt meet its own growing demand for fuel and provide cleaner-burning, high-octane fuels to address air quality issues in large cities such as Cairo.
‘Since commercialising the technology, UOP has brought more than 250 CCR platforming units on stream worldwide, with a combined capacity of more than 6 million barrels per day,’ he continues
UOP modular equipment is often well-suited for remote locations, short project timelines, and regions with limited resources.
The modules are built under controlled conditions in fabrication shops and fully inspected prior to shipment.
UOP modular equipment is designed to reduce installation time and can result in earlier start up, improving project economics.
UOP offers a full suite of modular refining equipment for a wide range of applications.
