September 2007

20.09.2007
Remedy for obsolete production technique
After scheduled repair “Orsknefteorgsyntez” started a lube unit № 37-2.

For those who have something to do with petrochemistry that will not be a new piece of news as practically every refinery in Russia conducts repairing and construction works starting from spring till the first cold. The citizens of Orsk who treat the plant their home have another opinion:  the change at the lube unit is a significant event. It tells not only on the expenses of the plant but also on people’s fates.

The lube unit at “Orsknefteorgsyntez” is the largest subdivision of the entity with the staff of 350 people. It comprises 10 processing units which is more than at any other entity. But after the collapse of the USSR and the abolishment of the planned economy the only direction in this field of industry that has been developed for the last decade was gasoline production as it has been the only profitable direction. Other kinds of petroleum products and oils, in particular, have been considered less profitable. Thus, lube units either stopped some of their equipment or started it again. That really disturbed people and made the situation still less stable.
The present repair works at the lube unit testify to the fact that the life of the entity is improving. Last year “RussNeft” company allocated considerable funds, approximately 120 million rubles, to replace run-down equipment. In spring 2007 large-scale repair works were initiated and are still continuing. The reorganization touched 2 installations. Today 37-2 (a unit of oil selective treatment by phenol) is being introduced into the technical regime.
The first thing that catches one’s eye after the repair works is that the unit has been dislocated and has become more compact and more convenient for its service.  What else has been modernized at 37-2?
- There have bee replaced a submerged cooler into 4 air coolers of a new construction which have never been before at “ONOS”. This will help to desist from the use of water for 100% and to exclude the entry of phenol into circulated and sewage waters, - says A.V.Kotov, head of oil production at OAO “ONOS”. – Air coolers are provided with a frequency converter that automatically regulates the temperature of the flow. That will improve the condensation of dissolvent vapors which will favorably tell on the color of the target product.
Pumping equipment has also been replaced. Thus, vapor piston pumps have been replaced with rotary pump with double face seal that secure essential hermeticity.
Today’s large-scale works, - says Andrey Valerievch, - apart from the output of final product of improved quality and lower self cost are also oriented at the improving of the ecological situation and industrial safety. We are also in for such huge work at 39-2 and 36-2. We hope for better results.

For reference:

Lube unit is the oldest subdivision at the plant. It was constructed 60 years ago. Considerable funds are required to modernize it. At present the lube unit tackles all the tasks. Industrial oils are produced according to standards.

Source: "The Vestnik of Orsk”