CO2 RECOVERY FROM TAIL GAS STREAM OF CHT HYDROGEN PLANT AT BÍO BÍO REFINERY, ENAP

The project consisted of the recovery of CO2 carbon dioxide from an outlet gas stream (Tail gas), rich in CO2, hydrogen H2 and methane CH4, which was generated at the CHT Hydrogen Plant of ENAP Bío Bío Refinery. This current was returned to the reforming furnaces of the plant to be used as fuel, where the CO2 contained was released into the environment because of combustion.

PA Engineering participated in developing the Environmental Impact Statement in 2005, when this project began with the signing of an agreement between INDURA and ENAP Refineries, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions in said refinery and thus accessing the issuance of Carbon Credits, tradable in the market to companies that are obliged to emit fewer Greenhouse Gases.  generating both economic and environmental benefits. 

PA Engineering performed basic and detail engineering in different disciplines in 2007. The project considered the installation of a CO2 recovery plant from the Tail gas stream, which was composed of the necessary equipment to efficiently extract CO2 from said stream, for subsequent purification and liquefaction, with an approximate production of 3,600 tons/month.

In turn, Indura managed to reduce the use of fossil fuel (natural gas and propane) previously used to produce the CO2 it produces.

This project became the first plant to capture and produce CO2, based on a methodology developed by both companies approved by the Executive Board of the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Sources: Chilean Mining and Environmental Impact Statement