EXXON, UNOCAL DETAIL AIR POLLUTION INITIATIVES

U.S. oil companies continue to press environmental initiatives targeting air quality.

Exxon Co. U.S.A. has reached agreement with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on its continuing efforts to cut air emissions from the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) at its Bayway Refinery in Linden, N.J.

Under the agreement, Exxon will complete work during its current maintenance turnaround on several steps designed to improve the performance of the FCCU's wet gas scrubber.

Meantime, Unocal Corp. started up its 76 Protech Patrol, which involves dedicating specially equipped vehicles to provide free emergency road service to stranded motorists on Los Angeles basin freeways.

Protech Patrol is one of three environmental initiatives announced by Unocal to help improve air quality (OGJ, May 7, p. 54 ). SCRAP, South Coast Recycled Auto Program, is ridding area roads of more than 7,000 older cars. Smog-Fighter offers free off cycle smog checks and low emission tuneups to model 1974 and older cars.

BAYWAY PROJECT

The Bayway FCCU scrubber, installed in 1976 at a cost of $20 million, removes more than 90% of sulfur dioxide and particulates from FCCU flue gases. During the 1980's Exxon worked with DEP on added investments to further reduce FCCU emissions.

Work to be completed on the scrubber during turnaround is to cost about $5 million. Of this, $2 million is earmarked for adding capability to operate a second 24,000 gal/min water slurry pump and inject more scrubbing materials into the gas stream.

Both steps are designed to trim particulate emissions from the scrubber and enable Exxon to meet state emissions standards.

New Jersey standards, among the toughest in the country, limit particulate emissions from all manufacturing units but are particularly stringent for very large facilities such as Bayway's FCCU.

If efforts to meet standards with the refurbished scrubber prove unsuccessful, Exxon is prepared to invest more than $30 million during 21/2 years to design and construct a new scrubber in order to meet state standards. Exxon Research and Engineering Co. developed technology for the new unit.

Exxon said it was pleased that the agreement with DEP is structured to emphasize achieving compliance with no fines levied if standards are met.

The company also noted that its commitments under the agreement are part of a broader effort to trim emissions and wastes generated by the Bayway refinery, largest on the East Coast.

During the past 10 years at Bayway, Exxon has cut total hydrocarbon emissions to the air by 90 % and SO2 emissions by 75%.

In addition, solid wastes generated and shipped to others for disposal were cut by about 70%.

PROTECH PATROL BENEFITS

Unocal's 76 Protech Patrol service will cover major freeways in the Los Angeles area during from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays. The patrol will include six vehicles, with four more to be added by Sept. 3.

"Air pollution increases as cars slow down due to freeway traffic stalls," said Richard J. Stegemeier, Unocal chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "If one 76 Protech Patrol vehicle reduces traffic delays by even 1 min on just one major freeway, that would save nearly 5,000 commuter hours and eliminate 1,400 lb of air pollutants."

Stegemeier cited a study by the Southern California Association of Governments that concluded Los Angeles basin traffic congestion causes more than 600,000 hr in delays each day, or 6 min/hr of travel. These delays contribute nearly 90 tons/day of air pollutants. South Coast Air Quality Management District (Scaqmd) estimates that half the freeway congestion in Los Angeles is due to accidents, stalled vehicles, and special events.

Scaqmd estimates that mobile sources-especially heavy-polluting vehicles made before 1975 that don't have catalytic converters-account for more than two million tons/year of ozone precursor emissions. Mobile sources are responsible for 60% of Los Angeles basin air pollution, says California Air Resources Board.

HOW PROTECH PATROL WORKS

The 76 Protech Patrol will assist with changing flat tires, jumpstarting batteries, and providing water for overheated vehicles or enough fuel to reach the nearest service station for those who have run out of gasoline. Each 76 Protech Patrol vehicle is equipped with a cellular telephone for emergency communications, including calls to towing services or the California Highway Patrol.

For safety reasons, 76 Protech Patrol vehicles will help only those motorists stranded on the right hand shoulder of the freeway. Its drivers will use a loudspeaker to find out whether the motorist needs and wants assistance. For those stuck in traffic lanes, the Protech Patrol driver will alert CHP or other appropriate services after checking with the motorist.

Protech Patrol drivers have undergone training by Unocal and CHP in proper safety procedures for assisting motorists on the freeways.

Motorists needing Protech Patrol assistance may wave down the vehicle by hand or attach a special Unocal distress flag to their vehicle antennae to alert the service. Distress flags are available at participating Unocal Protech stations and will be given to stranded motorists who get help from Protech Patrol for future use.

Sponsoring the program are 158 Protech dealers in the basin. Unocal buys and equips the vehicles, and participating dealers underwrite operating expenses.

Protech stations are certified full service stations developed by Unocal in 1980.