Rosneft completes major stage of hydrocracking reactor transportation to Achinsk refinery (photo)
The first hydrocracking reactor arrived to Achinsk refinery on October 28, Rosneft announced. It is designed for vacuum CGO oil hydrocracking and hydrodesulfurization reactions. Its length is 48.5 m, diameter – 4.4 m, weight including mount – 1,306 tons. The reactor is a key element of the hydrocracking facility, which includes 6 processing plants and 57 off-site facilities.
The editor-in-chief of the Russian Book of Records registered the record of the heaviest cargo shipment by truck (1,036 tons) for the longest distance (203 km). In terms of cargo dimensions and mass, as well as distance of transportation and route complexity, this operation is unparalleled both for Krasnoyarsky kray and Russia in general. The truck haulage of the heaviest cargo for the longest distance set new Russian and European records. Achinsk refinery, the customer, and the Spetstyazhavtotrans Group, the haulage contractor, have become the nominees of the Guinness Book of Records.
Besides, Achinsk refinery will soon transport three more hydrocracking reactors weighing over 350 tons under the large-scale investment program for modernization of its facilities. The equipment is transported for over 12,000 km: from Italian port of Mantova to port of Dudinka, then down the Yenisei to the temporary offloading facility in the village of Kubekovo (Krasnoyarsk suburb). The last part of the journey is 203 km of highways. The route of the super heavy equipment crossed 16 rivers and brooks, river crossings and the Trans-Siberian Railway (in two points).
The operation was undertaken in consort with the traffic police of Krasnoyarsky kray, “Baikal” Road Board for Krasnoyarsky kray and other agencies.
The remaining three reactors are expected to arrive to Achinsk refinery by mid-November. Then, the equipment will be assembled and mounted.
Rosneft implements the large-scale program for modernization of its refineries in order to increase refining depth and throughput, enhance environmental and industrial safety and conduct a full switch to Euro-5 motor fuel production.
Under this program, Achinsk refinery is constructing a hydrocracking complex and a petroleum coke complex. Besides, it constructs and renovates 57 off-site facilities. Their commissioning will allow the plant to increase refining depth to 96%. With volumes maintained, the production of Euro-5 light oils will increase to 5.4 mln tons per year.
Achinsk refinery has started producing motor fuels in compliance with Euro-4 and Euro-5 classes since early 2013.