News

Modernization of Crude Oil Distillation Plant

With the successful performance test in mid October 2010 EDL Anlagenbau Gesellschaft mbH in Leipzig, a 100 % subsidiary of the Vienna based Pörner Group, completed the revamp of crude oil distillation unit 4 (RD4) at Schwechat Refinery within the stipulated budget and time.

The project worth approx. EUR 20 million included modernization of the lower circulating pumparound (LCP) of the distillation unit during normal plant shutdown. EDL was contract awarded by OMV Refining & Marketing GmbH to perform detail engineering, procurement and site management services.

The objective was to reduce the corrosion rate of the unit by lowering the temperature. This required extensive process-related modifications of the main column as well as replacement of pipes, heat exchangers and control instruments. Based on these measures OMV could reach higher safety and longer running time of the entire plant.

After only one year preparation and implementation time the unit was mechanically completed within the one month refinery shutdown period in June 2010. The performance test took place in mid October 2010. The unit with all its newly designed process components reached the stipulated quality and flow rate parameters and completely fulfilled the client’s expectations.

This project with its tight schedule was again a big challenge for the engineers of Pörner Group. In 2007 they were already entrusted with the revamp of a hydrodesulphurization unit at Schwechat Refinery. The successfully completed repeat order strengthened EDL’s position as specialist for refinery revamps.