Viva Energy is planning to introduce a processing unit for low sulphur fuel at its Corio refinery, according to an announcement by the Environment Protection Authority. The energy company has submitted an application to construct a new sulphur removal processing unit that will be connected to the existing refinery.
This move is in response to the changing fuel quality standards in Australia, and Viva Energy has committed to these upgrades as part of the federal government’s refinery improvements program. The proposed enhancements involve the installation of a hydrogen-based gasoline treatment unit to eliminate sulphur from gasoline blend components.
The new equipment will be assembled on-site using modular construction methods, transported via the Port of Geelong, and then loaded onto barges. The refinery upgrades will include the addition of two pretreatment reactors, distillation towers, new furnaces, hydrogen compressors, and civil and structural foundations.
The existing refinery systems will also be connected to the new equipment. This development follows Viva Energy’s previous plans to transform the refinery into an energy hub, which included the construction of a hydrogen refueling station and a contentious floating gas terminal. The Geelong Energy Hub aims to incorporate a gas terminal, solar farm, hydrogen generation and refueling facilities, strategic tank storage, bio-processing, and waste recycling.
The proposed processing unit will undergo routine maintenance while remaining operational, and it will be temporarily shut down every three to five years for significant inspection and maintenance. Viva Energy’s refining general manager, Dale Cooper, emphasized the importance of investing in low sulphur fuel to remain competitive in the refining business, highlighting the trend in North America towards gasoline with less than 10 parts per million sulphur content.
The Environment Protection Authority will hold a community drop-in session at the Rosewell Community Centre in Corio to address the application.
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