PetroFina to add CHP unit at Antwerp refinery

PetroFina SA and Electrabel agreed to jointly build a combined heat and power (CHP) generation unit at Fina's 288,000 b/d Antwerp refinery. The unit will have capacity to generate 126 MW of electric power and 165 ton/hr of steam from natural gas. The CHP unit will consist of three production lines, each fitted with a generator capable of generating 42 MW and a recovery boiler capable of producing 55 tons/hr of steam.

Feb. 23, 1998

The CHP unit will consist of three production lines, each fitted with a generator capable of generating 42 MW and a recovery boiler capable of producing 55 tons/hr of steam.

The 3.5 billion Belgian franc unit-the largest of its kind in Belgium-will be on stream late in 1999. Gas feed will be purchased under a 250 million cu m/year contract with Distrigas.

Instead of generating steam and electricity separately, Fina and Electrabel are concentrating the two production processes in one installation using a single fuel. As a result, the two companies will reduce gas use by about 50 million cu m/year, resulting in energy savings of about 20% and reduced CO₂ and NO_x emissions.