ORIMULSION TO FUEL BOILERS IN DANISH POWER UNIT

Bitor Europe Ltd. claims a breakthrough for Orimulsion, the Venezuelan bitumen/water emulsion boiler fuel, with its first European contract outside the U.K. SK Power, which generates electricity for Denmark's Zeeland region, agreed to buy an initial 100,000 metric tons of Orimulsion for use in its 700,000 kw Asnaes No. 5 plant at Kalundborg.

Nov. 21, 1994

2 min read

Bitor Europe Ltd. claims a breakthrough for Orimulsion, the Venezuelan bitumen/water emulsion boiler fuel, with its first European contract outside the U.K.

SK Power, which generates electricity for Denmark's Zeeland region, agreed to buy an initial 100,000 metric tons of Orimulsion for use in its 700,000 kw Asnaes No. 5 plant at Kalundborg.

Delivery of the fuel is due in mid December for first use in January 1995 in a test facility. Completion of the trial run is expected to lead to supply of 1 million metric tons of Orimulsion to the plant during 1995, with an option for a further supply of as much as 1 million metric tons during 1996.

Bitor and SK Power are to negotiate long term supplies of the fuel next year.

Asnaes No. 5 plant is a coal/oil burning unit that can run on Orimulsion with nitrous oxide emissions at least as low as coal. The unit is equipped with low NOx burners, electrostatic precipitators, and limestone to gypsum flue gas desulfurization.

SHIPMENT PLANS

Supplies to Denmark are to be shipped from a new deepwater Caribbean terminal at Jose, near Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela.

Carlos Borregales, vice-president of Petroleos de Venezuela SA unit Bitumenes Orinoco, parent company of Bitor Europe, said, "From this terminal, Bitor can export Orimulsion without draft restrictions, enhancing the competitiveness of transporting our fuel to markets abroad.

"We will be delivering to Asnaes in vessels of more than 100,000 metric ton capacity. The first loading in December will be the largest single loading of Orimulsion to date."

Bitor said the contract is important for Orimulsion because it marks acceptance for use under Denmark's high environmental standards.

Two power plants in the U.K. have been burning Orimulsion since 1990 and currently purchase 1.5 million metric tons year from Bitor. Two plants in Japan also are burning the fuel, although not supplied by Bitor.

A plant fueled with Orimulsion is due on stream soon in Canada, while two Orimulsion projects are under construction in the U.S. and Japan.

Issue date: 11/21/94