Initiatives at Sodegaura Refinery
Environmental Management System
Fuji Oil Company, Ltd. (FOC) has established the Environmental Management System at Sodegaura Refinery, for which FOC obtained ISO14001 certification, and has been continuously and systematically undertaking improvement of the environment. Also, FOC is making eco-friendly products and extending considerations to energy-saving, prevention of air and water pollution and reduction of waste materials. This system is continuously reviewed and improved.
Supply of Eco-friendly Products
FOC is supplying such eco-friendly petroleum products to minimize the environment impact while satisfying the specifications required by customers. Having made necessary modifications to the production facilities, FOC has already started, ahead of the regulations, delivery of "sulfur-free" (max. 10 ppm) fuel products such as gasoline and gas oil in order to reduce SOx, NOx and PM.
Benzene Unit
To remove benzene from gasoline
| Gasoline:content of sulfur & benzene | |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Benzene: Max 1% |
| 2002 | Premium Gasoline Sulfur: Max 10 ppm |
| 2005 | Regular Gasoline Sulfur: Max 10 ppm |
Gas Oil Hydrodesulfurization Unit
To remove sulfur from gas oil for reduction of SOx, NOx and PM
| Gas Oil:content of sulfur | |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Max 500 ppm |
| 2003 | Max 50 ppm |
| 2005 | Max 10 ppm |
Vacuum Residue Thermal Cracking Unit
To produce low sulfur fuel oil and petroleum pitch by thermal-cracking of vacuum residue (asphalt fraction)
| Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (High Pour Point) |
|---|
| Low sulfur fuel oil (Sulfur Max 0.1%) is supplied to prevent air pollution |
Minimization of Environmental Impact
To prevent Global Warming, energy conservation and reduction of CO2 emission must be achieved. FOC has decreased energy consumption per unit by pursuing highly-efficient operation of the refining facilities, the enhancement of heat recovery and a better control system with high technology.
In fiscal 2003 ended March 31, 2004, FOC was entrusted jointly with other firms by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) with the research for proving the effective utilization of low grade heat at Sodegaura Refinery (Pilot Research Phase). The joint research resulted in success in developing a new technology to effectively utilize low-grade heat that has not been utilized but merely discharged in the air.
Energy Consumption at Sodegaura Refinery
FOC has participated in the experimental emissions trading scheme which is based on "Experimental introduction of an integrated domestic market for emissions trading" and was commenced in FY2008. FOC set targets for FY2010 and FY2012 which reduce energy consumption per unit more than 19% compared with FY1990.
CO2 Emissions
| Prevention of Air Pollution | Severe restriction on emissions of SOx , NOx , etc. |
|---|---|
| Prevention of Water Pollution and Conservation of Water Resources | Purification of waste water with various water treatment facilities and recycling of industrial-use water. |
| Control of Chemical Substances | Adequate management of specified chemical substances, production of hazardous chemicals like benzene in sealed-structured facilities and the reduction in emissions of volatile organic compounds by stocking them in a storage tanks with its roof floating inside the tank. |
| Reduction and Recycling of Waste Material | A large reduction of waste materials by 94% in fiscal 2010 compared with the fiscal 1990 level (more than 95% of the target is already achieved) and thoroughgoing recycling and reuse of resources. |
| Prevention of Oil Seepage in the Ocean | Installation of detector and tank dike against oil spill, procurement of oil spill response equipment and frequent participation in training. |
