Notable Eco-efficiency Achievements IRPC gave priority to efficient use of resources and reduction of impact on the environment in 2021, undertaking projects to mitigate impact on the environment, consisting of energy efficiency, air quality and odor management, water resource management, wastewater management, waste management, and complaint resolution projects, to ensure the company’s stable and sustainable growth. In 2021, the company received the Thailand Energy Awards 2021 and outstanding creative energy award, reduction in steam energy consumption at ARU refineries by switching to new synthetic amine formula developed by IRPC’s refineries under the RESR (SRU) department. IRPC’s energy management team at the Ethylene production plant (ETP) also received an award of recognition from the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), Ministry of Energy. Important Projects or Activities Energy efficiency In 2021, IRPC implemented 70 energy conservation projects, which altogether reduced energy consumption by 410,054 gigajoules and cut total energy costs by Baht 116 million and GHG reduction 22,998 tCO2e. Some of the projects are listed below: • Project to adjust (reduce) steam level at 54C002 of Naphtha distillation tower to use electricity from STG unit I That had yet to reach its full power-generating capacity. As a result, the STG unit was able to increase its production output from this project by 2.54 GW/year, thus, reducing electricity costs by Baht 5.2 million per year. • Project to decrease pure H2 product loss to flare by switching to Fuel Gas (FG) system Typically, the H2 system maintains system pressure by releasing a portion of excess hydrogen, also known as H2 buffer, to the flare stack. Efforts have been made to find a way to feed the H2 buffer into the FG system instead of releasing it to the flare stack by modifying function control to divert the excess hydrogen destined for the flare to the 52C004 and on to the FG system as fuel instead. If the distillation system’s demand for H2 increases, that excess hydrogen can be recovered by reducing the supply of excess hydrogen to the FG system. At the same time, the H2 buffer continues to serve its purpose of maintaining the H2 system pressure. Such excess hydrogen can be recovered instantaneously when needed. The modification enables IRPC to utilize excess hydrogen destined for the flare and reduces fuel cost by Baht 5.48 million per year as well as cutting back on impact on the environment from the company’s operations. • Project to reduce the pressure at the top of the Toluene distillation tower (03C002) from 4.8 BarG to 4.7 BarG Reduce OVHD Pressure of Toluene column at BTX plant This is a project to lower heat energy at furnace 03B001, which provides heat to the distillation tower. The principle of distillation is based on the difference in the boiling point of each respective component in the mixture. The boiling point of the liquid is inversely proportional to the vapor pressure. The lower the pressure above the liquid, the lower the temperature at which the liquid will boil. Therefore, decreasing the pressure at the top of the Toluene distillation tower lowers the boiling point of Toluene. This results in a reduction in heat energy consumption at 03B001 furnace, lowering fuel consumption at 03B001 by 709 gigajoules per year, or a reduction in fuel expense of Baht 126,465 per year. Air quality and odor management • NOx, SOx, and TSP management IRPC attaches foremost importance to control of air pollutant emissions, starting with control of factors that determine combustion efficiency in an effort to mitigate environmental impact. The company opted for fuels with low environmental impact, such as fuel gas, coupled with conditions of combustion processes to minimize pollutants like NOx, SOx, and TSP. In addition, IRPC insisted on using Low NOx Burners that significantly lower NOx emissions. Other than its choice of combustion control technology and less polluting fuel, IRPC also established a regular annual maintenance plan for furnaces to ensure combustion efficiency, together with continuing effort to minimize environmental impact. The company has engaged a third-party consultant to monitor the quality of air pollutant emissions. Emissions measurement results have passed the IRPC industrial zone’s pollution 151 Business-driven sustainability IRPC PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
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