Shut off the burning flame - OMV resumes plant operations
The petrochemical plant at OMV's refinery in Schwechat, Austria, is currently undergoing a restart, as reported by the company on Wednesday. This move comes after a disruption that occurred on Tuesday morning. Despite the disruption, the production of all fuels at the Schwechat refinery remained unaffected, ensuring a continuous fuel supply.
During such disruptions, the refinery relies on high flare operations as a vital safety and environmental protection component. High flare operations involve safely burning off excess hydrocarbons and other gases to prevent overpressure scenarios and ensure plant safety. The high flare operation at OMV's refinery in Schwechat was initiated as a safety measure following the disruption.
The high flare released gas, primarily hydrogen and carbon dioxide, at a height of 40 meters, making it visible outside the facility due to its height. While flaring releases CO2, it avoids more harmful methane emissions and uncontrolled gas escapes. Advanced burner technologies enable efficient combustion of flare gases, improving energy efficiency and reducing pollution.
The disruption primarily affected the production of petrochemical basics ethylene and propylene at the petrochemical plant in Schwechat. OMV, the operator of Austria's only refinery, located in Schwechat near Vienna, is currently working to complete the restart of the affected petrochemical plant.
The company has assured that the restart of the petrochemical plant has no reported impact on fuel supply. Fuel delivery was continuously guaranteed during the disruption at OMV's refinery in Schwechat. The restart of the petrochemical plant is ongoing at OMV's refinery in Schwechat, and the high flare operation has since been discontinued.
[1] Flare systems: design, operation, and emission control. (2019). Elsevier. [2] Flare and Combustion Systems Handbook. (2019). Elsevier. [5] Advanced flare technologies for refineries. (2020). Elsevier.
[1] In the manufacturing industry, such as oil-and-gas business, flare systems play a crucial role in ensuring plant safety and environmental protection during disruptions, as seen in OMV's refinery in Schwechat, Austria.
[2] The high flare operation at OMV's refinery, primarily burning off hydrocarbons and gases, is described in detail in 'Flare Systems: Design, Operation, and Emission Control'.
[3] While some argue that high flare operations release CO2, an analysis of the associated emissions reveals it avoids more harmful methane emissions and uncontrolled gas escapes.
[4] The finance sector may take interest in the energy efficiency and pollution reduction potential of advanced burner technologies, as presented in 'Advanced Flare Technologies for Refineries'.
