Mazeikiu Nafta re-started the refurbished Vacuum Distillation Tower
Mazeikiu Nafta has re-started the refurbished Vacuum Distillation Tower February 20, Mažeikiai. AB Mažeikiu Nafta has re-started the refurbished vacuum distillation tower, which will significantly increase production efficiency. The commissioning and start-up activities on the tower commenced on February 14, and operating efficiency has significantly improved.
The tower was built in 1982 to supply feedstock for bitumen production. A decade later, when the FCC Complex was built, the tower was taken out of service and mothballed. As part of the recovery plan, the old tower has now been refurbished and prepared for the continuous production of vacuum gas oil.
The refurbished vacuum tower is used for processing crude unit residue. Vacuum gas oil is recovered from crude unit residue in the tower.
“With the commissioning and start-up of this refurbished vacuum distillation tower, we have completed the first stage of our recovery plan. With this vacuum tower in service our refinery capacity achieves efficient operations equivalent to one half of the volume refined in the unit damaged by fire. The refurbished tower substantially optimizes our production efficiency ” - said Mr. Paul Nelson English, General Director of AB Mazeikiu Nafta.
The refurbished tower is capable of refining approx. 50 per cent of the crude unit residue volume refined in the unit damaged by the fire in October 2006.
“It is obvious that the start-up of the tower will have a significant impact on the performance of the entire Refinery,” – said Mr. English, – “however, at this stage of optimization, it is too early for a determination of the benefit.”
“On the Company’s behalf, I would like to thank all employees and contractors for their hard work during the refurbishment. I appreciate their efforts in enabling us to achieve the goals set.” – added Mr. English. A team of 500 professionals refurbished the tower within three months, a considerable achievement.
