American Refining Group is nearing completion of a new hydrogenation unit, at an estimated cost of $18 million to $20 million, that will upgrade two API Group I base stocks and enable the refinery in Bradford, Pa., to produce ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, starting next March.
Were finishing up construction, Vice President of Business Development John Robinson told Lube Report. It will increase the quality of our 150 neutral and our bright stock fraction. Well be phasing in the various product streams beginning March 1, which is when were estimating startup.
Robinson said the hydrotreater will improve base oil quality, but not boost overall base oil capacity at the refinery. Were going for Group I+ quality, were not going for Group II quality with the new hydrotreater, he said.
The hydrotreater operates in the 600 to 700 degree F range, Robinson said, and pressure is in the range of 1,000 p.s.i. What it does is selectively eliminate the ‘bad’ molecules and converts them into ‘good’ molecules, using hydrogen under high pressure and temperature to effect an improvement in quality, he explained. It combines with a catalyst to improve the quality of the material.
ARG currently has the capacity to refine 2,400 barrels per day of lubricant base stocks, of which 2,100 are Group I and 300 are Group II. According to Robinson, the new unit is designed to treat 3,800 barrels per day of product, including fuels, distillates and lubricants.
The hydrotreater project includes two catalytic reactors. Installed in September, one of the reactors is dedicated to processing lubricant base stocks, while the other will process diesel and distillate solvents.
Robinson said that after completing the hydrogenation unit project, the company plans to improve its dewaxing capability.
Founded in 1881, the Bradford refinery is the oldest continuously operating refinery in the United States, and the only remaining refinery exclusively processing Pennsylvania-grade crude oil. American Refining Group acquired the facility from Witco Corp. in 1997.