Introduction

Refineria Balboa will be one of a new generation of refineries. It will be completely respectful of its environment and will produce less in terms of emissions and waste than any other refinery in Spain, as it will not be producing heavy residual products like fuel oil, not even for its own consumption. This will be made possible thanks to the most advanced technologies employed in the design and construction of the plant which will allow the transformation of treated crude into high added value end products to be maximised.

Refineria Balboa’s design will incorporate the Best Available Technologies (BATs). This means, among other things, a greater energy efficiency, the minimisation of emissions and the absence of heavy residual products like fuel-oil which are converted into cleaner and higher added value fuels like gas oils and gasolines. Heavy residual products in refineries usually end up getting burned which results in considerable atmospheric emissions. Conversely, if these residues are converted into clean products, the output from processed crude is increased, resulting in a greater amount of high demand light fuel for every unit of crude used. Subsequently, as a result of the application of the BATs and the non-production of heavy residues, Refineria Balboa will only use gas as its fuel, considered today the cleanest type on the market.

This will undoubtedly result in a significant reduction in total emissions with respect to the rest of the refineries currently operating in Spain as well as lower emissions per product unit.

In short, Refineria Balboa, in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Guide to BATs, will use all the technological means available to minimise atmospheric emissions, liquid waste and the generation of residues. This will be made possible by, among other things, the following:

The use of gas fuels, "cleanest" of any in the industry.
A high energy integration of the processes.
Minimisation of water consumption through the reuse of treated water, the use of vapour condensate in boilers, etc.
Residue management control
Introduction of an Environmental Management System (SIGMA).