| Shell Deer Park Skyline is Changing... For the Better!
Refinery “scrubber” project to remove 90-98% of air pollutants at major processing unit
What’s new? Shell Deer Park is taking another significant step to improve air quality with the Dec. 17 startup of the refinery’s $20 million flue gas scrubber. The scrubber is associated with the fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU), which produces gasoline and diesel blending components. This project initially was scheduled for activation in mid-November.
How does the scrubber work? The scrubber system uses water sprays with additives to wash or remove non-hazardous solid particles -- mostly small pieces of catalyst similar to sand -- and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas from the FCCU’s stack exhaust before it is released to the atmosphere. This pollution control method is considered “best available control technology” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What happens to the water and pollutants? The scrubber water that contains the trapped pollutants is treated onsite to remove the solid particles before it is discharged. Those particles are recycled as an ingredient in cement. The rest of the water used in the scrubber system – almost half – evaporates and is visible on the Shell Deer Park skyline as a steam cloud.
So it’s mostly steam? Yes, steam and less than 10 percent the amount of pollutants that were emitted without the scrubber. Don’t mistake the steam for smoke; the white cloud is a reassuring sign that the scrubber is working to clean up air emissions.
Questions? If you have any questions or concerns about Shell Deer Park operations, contact the Environmental Supervisor, 713-246-7212 or Community Relations, 713-246-6151.
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