Pakistan’s PARCO to use Honeywell technology to produce clean transportation fuel

Pak-Arab Refinery (PARCO) will use Honeywell UOP and Honeywell Process Solutions technologies to upgrade its Mid-Country Refinery near Multan in Pakistan to fulfil increasing demand for cleaner-burning fuels in the country.

Honeywell announced that the solutions to be used in the project will include licensing, basic engineering design and other associated services for a modular Penex isomerisation unit that will assist in producing cleaner-burning high-octane petrol and a modular Polybed PSA system to produce high-purity hydrogen.

Furthermore, the project will also comprise automation and controls from Honeywell Process Solutions.

Honeywell UOP process technology and equipment business vice-president and general manager Mike Millard said: “These Honeywell technologies will address the increasingly urgent need for low-emission transportation fuels under the Pakistani Government's tightening environmental regulations.

“PARCO chose to have these technologies delivered as modular equipment rather than in-field construction for faster startup, higher quality and better unit performance.”

The Penex process is a high-performing isomerisation option that upgrades light naphtha to produce isomerate, a cleaner petrol blend-stock that is free from benzene, aromatics or olefins.

The Polybed PSA process is used to remove all impurities from hydrogen-containing process streams at high pressure using Honeywell UOP adsorbents.

Under the deal, the refinery will also use Honeywell’s unified automation system with advanced software applications known as Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) to increase operator productivity and profitability.

The company claimed that PARCO selected Honeywell's technology due to their long association, success record in Pakistan and its competence for rapid project implementation.

PARCO is a joint venture company that focuses on crude oil refining along with transportation, storage and marketing of petroleum products.

The Government of Pakistan holds 60% interest in PARCO, while the remaining 40% stake is owned by Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which holds its interest through Abu Dhabi Petroleum Investment Company, a subsidiary group of International Petroleum Investment Company.