By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 8 -- Hunt Refining Co. plans to install two new units at its Tuscaloosa, Ala., refinery to increase crude throughput by more than 30% to 69,000 b/d, double its production of gasoline and diesel for the Southeastern US, and enable it to meet future benzene regulations.
US Environmental Protection Agency mandates require that refineries adhere to annual averages of 0.62% benzene content in gasoline by 2011.
Hunt selected Honeywell International Inc. subsidiary UOP LLC, Des Plaines, Ill., to supply basic engineering services, technology, and equipment, including its proprietary continuous catalytic reformer and unicracker. The technology will process light naphtha to produce high-octane gasoline blending components with low benzene content.
The CCR process produces high-octane gasoline from naphthenes and paraffins, and unicracking technology upgrades light cycle oil feedstocks to produce ultralow-sulfur diesel and naphtha.
Construction on the new units will begin this year for service to begin in late 2009. The entire project is scheduled to complete in 2010.
Hunt's Tuscaloosa refinery provides 52,000 b/d of gasoline and distillate fuels, home heating oil, diesel fuel, and asphalt to the Southeastern US and East Coast.
