EXXON, KOCH OBTAIN GASIFICATION LICENSES

Nov. 13, 1995
Exxon Chemical Co. and Koch Refining Co. separately have obtained licenses from Texaco Inc. to use Texaco Gasification Power Systems technology. The process generates electrical power from petroleum coke and other low value refinery by-products. It also can produce steam and hydrogen. The worldwide agreement between Texaco's alternate energy group and Exxon Chemical provides the basis for the latter and other Exxon affiliates to build gasification plants at sites throughout Exxon's

Exxon Chemical Co. and Koch Refining Co. separately have obtained licenses from Texaco Inc. to use Texaco Gasification Power Systems technology.

The process generates electrical power from petroleum coke and other low value refinery by-products. It also can produce steam and hydrogen.

The worldwide agreement between Texaco's alternate energy group and Exxon Chemical provides the basis for the latter and other Exxon affiliates to build gasification plants at sites throughout Exxon's refining and chemical business. Texaco also will provide engineering and technical services.

Exxon will designate project sites later.

Koch will use Texaco technology in a project under development at its 230,000 b/d Rosemount, Minn., refinery.

Elsewhere in the U.S., Texaco is building a Texaco Gasification Power Systems unit at its 95,700 b/d El Dorado, Kan., refinery. Upon start up in 1996, this $75 million unit will gasify petroleum coke and hazardous wastes to produce 40,000 kw of power and 180,000 lb/hr of steam.

Texaco said its El Dorado project has set an important precedent by receiving a ruling from the Environmental Protection Agency that exempts the gasification unit from normal hazardous waste permitting requirements. That's because of the technology's "proven unique environmental performance."

Worldwide, Texaco owned or licensed gasification units operating or under development have a combined syngas production capacity of more than 3 bcfd.

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