Reinforcing Axens’ position as the leading technologist in motor fuel desulfurization for the ultra low sulfur specifications, a Prime-D, ultra-low sulfur diesel desulfurization unit, has been put on-stream in Petrogal’s Sines Refinery in Portugal. The unit was a revamp of an existing hydrotreater. The 37 000 barrels per day unit treats a blend of heavy straight run gas-oil and cracked products and employs Axens’ "Toolbox" containing EquiFlow internals and HR448 catalyst.

Soon after start-up, the unit was producing less than 30 ppm sulfur diesel, processing a blend of straight run and cracked feeds from various origins, the latter containing very refractory sulfur compounds. A similar project was also implemented at Petrogal’s Porto refinery where a 25 000 BPSD Prime-D Toolbox unit, producing ultra-low sulfur diesel, was streamed in March 2002.

Axens is leading the motor fuels desulfurization area with a broad range of technology offerings, including Prime-D Toolbox and Prime-G+, for FCC gasoline desulfurization, to meet new ultra low sulfur fuel regulations.

Petrogal

Petrogal is a 100% subsidiary of Galp Energia. The object of the company is the research and production of crude oil and natural gas, refining, transportation, distribution and sales activities related to crude oil and its derivatives and natural gas. Petrogal refineries are located in Sines and Porto which have a combined nameplate distillation capacity of 15,2 MM ton per annum.