By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 10 -- Syncrude Canada Ltd. is preparing to restart a coker flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) unit at its Mildred Lake oil sands plant in Alberta, reported Canadian Oil Sands Trust.
The FGD unit has been shut down to resolve problems of odorous emissions resulting from the start of new equipment associated with Syncrude's Stage 3 expansion project (OGJ Online, June 5, 2006, Newsletter).
Syncrude obtained regulatory approval from Alberta Environmental Protection to resume operations of the expansion facilities following modifications and other steps taken to prevent recurrence of strong odors.
The FGD start-up will be gradual so Syncrude can monitor and mitigate odors.
Once the units reach stable operation, Syncrude plans to introduce bitumen feed into Coker 8-3, probably in late-July, with incremental production from Stage 3 coming on-stream shortly thereafter.