Opportunities of GHGs emission minimization through processes improvement in Iranian oil industries

Abstract

Abstract Iran is located in dry and arid region. This country faces to shortage of water resources for drinking and agriculture. Increasing of earth temperature causes direct and negative effects in different economical sectors in Iran. Therefore department of environment (DOE) is established some programs for GHGs emission reduction. According to these programs GHGs emission in Iranian energy sector must be reduced about 30 percent. Now, GHGs emission per GDP (kg equal CO2 per GDP) index in Iran (3.07 kg CO2/2000US$) is more than world average (0.73 kg CO2/2000US$) and Asia average (1.26 kg CO2/2000US$). Also emission factor of CO2 in Iranian oil refineries is about 3.5 times more than European ones, like England. Hence, the main goal for GHGs reduction in Iran is achievement to Asia average level. Since, potential of GHGs emission reduction is estimated about 67 million tones equal CO2 at 2025 in oil sector. The major part of this reduction is related to petrochemical complexes. It should be considered that the most of these industries are old and worn out, so there are several effective techniques for their GHGs emission reductions. Also cost of tone CO2 reduction in Iranian oil sector is very lower than same industries with new technologies. For this purpose, Naphtha hydrotreating unit of Abadan oil refinery and wastewater treatment plant and waste incineration furnace of Tondgouyan petrochemical complex are selected as case studies. Gained results showed that by process changing in Naphtha hydrotreating unit from once-through system to recycle system, the gas burning will reduce to 10.6 million kg per year. Also injection of produced methane (from anaerobic reactors of wastewater treatment plant) to waste incineration furnace, about 1.75 million cubic meter will saved due to prevention of gas sending to flare. All mentioned results reveals that GHGs reduction is possible via detection of energy losses and process problems in all units of refineries and petrochemical complexes. Obviously, expanding of economical relationships with developed countries and application of some mechanisms such as CDM can be very important and effective.