Petcoke Plant on RIPI Agenda

The Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI) is intent on acquiring the expertise for producing petroleum coke and subsequently establish a production plant for the oil derivative, an executive at RIPI said on Monday.

"A pilot plan is underway for gathering and testing data for establishing a petcoke plant," Javad Ivakpour was quoted as saying by ISNA.

Petroleum coke, or petcoke, is a byproduct of the oil refining process. Crude oil is processed into gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, lubricating oils and waxes, leaving some residual crude that usually undergoes additional processing. The crude residue may be further refined by a process known as coking to produce transportation fuels as well as petcoke.

Petcoke is used as an alternative fuel to produce energy as well as in the aluminum, graphite electrode, steel, titanium dioxide and other carbon consuming industries.

"The French engineering firm Axens has been provided with documents to carry out technical feasibility studies for establishing a petcoke plant in Iran," he said, adding that an international tender to build the plant is expected to be held after the economic feasibility studies of the project are approved by IMIDRO – the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.

According to the official, 50 hectares has been allocated for the project in Arvand Free Zone in the oil-rich province of Khuzestan. Moreover, Oil Ministry’s permission for receiving feedstock has been obtained and infrastructure work is underway.

Upon completion, the plant will produce not only petroleum coke but also Euro-5 quality diesel and naphtha.

For producing one ton of aluminum, about 450 kilograms of the material is required.

Axens is an international provider of advanced technologies, catalysts, adsorbents, technical assistance and consulting services to the refining, petrochemical, gas and alternative fuel industries. The main scope of Axens business is the conversion of oil, gas, biomass and coal to fuels.