By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, June 27 -- Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Lehigh Valley, Pa., has started a 100 MMscfd hydrogen plant at Port Arthur, Tex. and is supplying hydrogen, steam, and power to Premcor Refining Group Inc.'s adjacent 250,000-b/d refinery.
Most of the hydrogen produced by the Air Products facility, completed at the end of 2000, is supplied to Premcor under a long-term supply agreement. The balance goes into the Air Products hydrogen pipeline system serving more than 40 customers between the Houston Ship Channel and the Texas-Louisiana border.
Scott A. Sherman, Air Products' vice president and general manager for chemical and process industries, said, "Port Arthur is one of 15 supply arrangements the company has undertaken for refiners worldwide within the past 5 years."
The Premcor refinery recently completed a heavy oil upgrade project consisting of an 80,000 b/d coker, a 35,000 b/d hydrocracker, and a 417 long ton/day sulfur complex that allows the refinery to process heavy sour crude oil up to 80% of its capacity.
