LIFE DIANA - LIFE16 ENV/GR/000461
Co-funded by the European Commission under the LIFE  "Environment and Resource Efficiency" Programme


Development of a pilot unit for the valorization of PRS (Petroleum Refinery Sludges) to new added-value raw materials

The overall objective of the project is the "smart" exploitation of Petroleum Refinery Sludges (PRS), produced by the Refinery of MOTOR OIL (HELLAS) - CORINTH REFINERIES S.A., the largest private industrial complex in the country with a processing capacity of 185000 barrels of crude oil per stream day (BSD). PRS are wastes originating from crude oil processing into fuel and relative nonfuel products. After sludge pretreatment  by dewatering and/or deoiling (for reduction of volume and residual hydrocarbon content), due to their hydrocarbons and heavy metals content, these sludges are classified as hazardous waste and their treatment is a pre-requisition before their final disposal. The main idea of the LIFE DIANA proposal is the use of these wastes for the development of a Valorised Sludge Mixture (VSM) through their proper integration with cost efficient industrial minerals available in Greece and other countries, aiming to the PRS transformation into higher value commercial products..

" EU-28, is among the world’s largest users of petroleum, with a total demand of 610,3 Mt for 2015 (15% of world consumption – Fuels Europe, Statistical Report 2016), while petroleum remains the main energy type with 36,5% share. Global demand for petroleum refined products increased from 91,3 mbpd in 2013 to 92,1 in 2014. "

— BP statistical review of world energy



The overall target of the proposal is to develop the required customised technologies and materials for the valorisation of PRS and the synthesis of the Engineered Soil, to demonstrate their applicability at pilot scale and to assess the performance of both VSM and engineered soil according to the relevant European standards and legislation.

Due to the unique properties of the selected industrial minerals, their integration with PRS will result in PRS stabilisation, and therefore the VSM will present minimum environmental risk. The selected industrial minerals will be properly processed and modified, in order to increase their effectiveness to the specific PRS, maximizing thus the desired stabilisation level. Furthermore, VSM is a suitable raw material for the construction and restoration of landfill sites and abandoned inactive quarries. The aim is the development of a stable quality Engineered Soil, through mixing of VSM with suitable soil amendments, with engineered properties for cost effective use in various development stages of landfill construction and restoration. Due to its tailored properties, the Engineered Soil will be able to substitute much larger quantities of the unstable quality materials currently used in landfills for the creation of the various layers.


Partners


MOTOR-OIL HELLAS

Project Coordinator

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

Partner

POWER MEDIA PRODUCTIONS S.A.

Partner

MUNICIPALITY OF RAFINA-PIKERMI

Partner

INVESTING IN A GREENER FUTURE


LIFE DIANA -LIFE16 ENV/GR/000461

Co-funded by the European Commission
under the LIFE "Environment and Resource Efficiency" Programme