ECONOMIC-EVALUATION OF THE GASIFICATION OF REFINERY RESIDUES FOR THE COPRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN, ELECTRICITY, AND SYNGAS

Available methods to reduce the amount of refinery residues by physica l separation, carbon rejection, or hydrogen addition, produce heavier residues of their own that need to be utilized or disposed of. One alt ernative that totally converts the residue and at the same time compli es with environmental restraints is the gasification or partial oxidat ion process. Practically, all types of refinery high-sulfur heavy resi dues may be utilized to produce hydrogen, syngas, or power. This study briefly describes the gasification process for heavy residues and com mercial projects in its application in refinery power generation. The economics of three options, namely, for hydrogen production, for power generation, and for coproduction of hydrogen, power, and syngas, are examined and compared. All three options provide reasonable payback pe riods of 3.3, 4.7, and 4.9 years, respectively. However, each refinery must determine its own needs and export potential in its configuratio n for coproduction and final implementation of heavy residue gasificat ion.