Modernization Plan for Production of Sulfur-free Fuels in Azerbaijan

Energy and environmental issues (including air pollution) are major global problems. However, in Azerbaijan, where oil industry is the main part of the economy, it is impossible to abandon hydrocarbon raw materials for energy and fuel production. Considering that the main consumers of fuel-energy resources and sources of air pollution are petrochemical plants and cars, one of the solutions is to modernize refinery, switch to energy-saving technologies, and improve the quality of fuels. After 45 years of operation, some refinery units in Azerbaijan have exceeded their service life, and their energy efficiency is 2-3 times lower than the advanced technologies. The fuels’ quality meets domestic standards but not world standards. A 3-phase refinery modernization plan by introducing waste-free and eco-friendly technologies is being proposed. It will help upgrade products by bringing down benzene to ∼0.5 %, total aromatics to ∼15 %, and the sulfur content to 10 ppm, according to EU standards. After modernization, the gasoline output will increase by 72 % (from 1.2 MMtpy up to 2.1 MMtpy, metric tons per year), and the total output of motor fuels will increase by 37 % (from 3.0 MMtpy up to 4.1 MMtpy). The company’s revenue will increase by exporting surplus of high-quality products.