Least cost SO2 emission minimization for a petroleum refinery by optimum use of source reduction, tail gas treatment and flue gas desulphurization

With the growing awareness on the necessity to preserve the environment, pollution standards are turning more stringent and minimization of waste at the source has become the first choice option rather than the end-of-pipe treatment. The objective of the present research is to identify the optimum combination of source reduction (SR), tail gas treatment (TGT) and flue gas desulphurization (FGD) to minimize the total cost of overall SO₂ emission from a petroleum refinery to various desired limits. It has been found that for the typical refinery considered, the TGT is the lowest cost option than either SR or FGD; however, only a maximum of ~12.5% reduction is achievable through the TGT. After full utilization of TGT, for the next range of SO₂ emission reductions from ~12.5% to ~64%, the SR is more economical than FGD. For a still stringent SO₂ emission limit, i.e. SO₂ emission reduction higher than ~64%, the full utilization of the TGT and the optimum use of SR and FGD are the best options.