Imperials Sarnia refinery to reduce SO2 emissions by more than 50 percent

Imperials Sarnia refinery to reduce SO2 emissions by more than 50 percent

Imperial Oil announced it will construct a Tail Gas Clean-Up unit at its Sarnia refinery to increase sulphur product recovery and reduce the site’s SO2 emissions. The unit will involve an investment of over $100-million and is expected to take approximately 16 months to build.

The new Tail Gas Clean-Up unit uses ExxonMobil Flexsorb(R) technology, a high efficiency process that will increase overall product sulphur recovery at the sulphur recovery units to more than 99.5%. This new sulphur recovery facility, together with operational enhancements at the refinery, will enable the site to reduce its SO2 emissions by more than 50 percent and meet Ontario regulations.

Site preparation work began in August and construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2009. A peak labour force of 150 skilled trades people from local contracting firms is expected to work on the project during the construction period.

“Imperial Oil is committed to continuously improving our operations to reduce our emissions. This significant investment will recover more sulphur out of the production process thereby reducing our environmental footprint,” said Jim Strasser, Project Executive, Refining Air Emissions Projects, Refining and Supply.

“We recognize that air quality is of concern to the local community,” says Karen Tyrone, Imperial’s refinery manager. “The reduction in SO2 emissions as a result of this project will contribute to improving the region’s air quality.”

Imperial Oil is Canada’s largest integrated oil company and its largest refiner of petroleum products. Imperial Oil has four refineries in Canada: Dartmouth, NS; Nanticoke, ON; Sarnia, ON; and Strathcona, AB.

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