BASF FINA Petrochem's naphtha plant under maintenance
23 Mar '06
3 min read
BASF FINA Petrochemicals Limited Partnership will be shutting down its naphtha steam cracker beginning March 24 to complete maintenance and make plant improvements. This activity, called a “turnaround,” will last about six to eight weeks. The company expects to have the site back to normal operations by mid May.
“We have been preparing for this turnaround for quite some time. Our focus is on implementing new measures to enhance the reliability of our operations, and, as a result, reduce the potential for flaring in the future,” said Mike McAtee, General Manager for the BASF FINA Petrochemicals site. “This will also help our site's productivity and long-term strength as an employer here in Jefferson County.”
Manufacturing facilities such as chemical sites and refineries complete turnarounds from time to time to clean vessels, complete maintenance and inspect equipment, and make performance modifications.
Preliminary construction has been completed on a tower shell and other equipment across Highway 366 from the BASF FINA site. The tower, which stands about 70 feet tall and 35 feet in diameter, will be moved to the site for installation.
Approximately 500 contractors will be at BASF FINA during this time. Additional traffic control has been coordinated with local police to ease traffic congestion that might occur on the highways surrounding the site.
McAtee said that during turnarounds, it is essential that excess gas be removed fromthe steam cracker's system. Flaring is a safe and environmentally sound way of removing this excess gas. BASF FINA utilizes a state-of-the-art ground flare that includes the most current emissions control technology and destroys 98 to 99 percent of all emissions.
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