Litvínov, November 16, 2017 - Unipetrol, the Czech Republic’s largest refining and petrochemical group, continues the modernization of its chemical plant in Záluží u Litvínova. The group’s management has signed a contract with the Austrian supply company Bertsch Energy GmbH & Co KG for the construction of a new boiler house producing high pressure steam for the steam cracker unit. The construction will begin in the first quarter of next year. Completion of the construction is scheduled for 2020. The investment amounts to CZK 1.2 billion.
“The investment fits into the entire group’s medium-term strategy of the production modernization and development which was announced this year. The new boiler house of the steam cracker unit will be more efficient and will meet the demanding emission limits that will come into force in 2020,” explains Krzysztof Zdziarski, Unipetrol Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors responsible for production, maintenance, energy and environmental protection.
The boiler house producing high pressure steam to ensure the operation of the steam cracker unit will undergo major upgrade. Its existing two boilers will be replaced by brand new ones. The efficiency of the two new boilers is by approximately three percent higher than the old ones. Moreover, they release considerably less polluting substances into the atmosphere, especially the emissions of nitrogen oxides (SCR DeNOx) and dust (reduced by using of electrostatic precipitators). Unipetrol will thus meet both, the requirements of the current Czech and EU legislation on air protection coming into force on July 1, 2020, and the readiness to meet the stricter emission limits applicable to large combustion plants and based on the EU Conclusions on the Best Available Techniques (BAT) coming into force on August 1, 2021.
The construction of the new energy block will be carried out by Bertsch Energy, a leading company with Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) competences for power plants fired by a wide fuel spectrum including fossil fuels such as gas and oil, or even various biomass fuels. Based in Bludenz, Austria, the company specializes in tailor made solutions for the demand of the industrial customers focusing on highest efficiency in terms of performance and costs. In the Unipetrol site in Litvínov, Bertsch Energy will be responsible for the entire integration of a turnkey power plant consisting of two oil- and gas-fired high-pressure boilers (120 bar, 520°C, 2x105 t/h) including flue gas treatment, electrical & control system and civil works.
Bertsch Energy considers the EPC contract with Unipetrol not only a highly appreciated first entry into the Czech market but also an important milestone in its successful continuation as one of the leading providers of industrial power plants.
