Pardubice, September 12th, 2012 – The shutdown of the Paramo crude oil processing unit has resulted in a significant reduction of the environmental burden in the city and its surroundings.
Reduction of greenhouse gases represents an apparent environmental benefit. "The reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions after shutting down the crude oil processing heating furnaces amounts to approximately 19,000 tons/year. Moreover, not operating the hydrogenation desulfurization unit of medium distillates reduces these emissions by (roughly) additional 10,000 tons/year," specifies the manager of the Paramo's HSE Department Eva Laštovičková. And she also states other significant facts: "The shutdown of the furnaces will also result in a reduction of emissions of sulphur dioxide by more than 100 tons and of nitrogen oxides by 15 tons annually."
However, Paramo has strived to minimize the environmental burden resulting from its business activities for a long time. Its investments into new technologies during the last twenty years have contributed to a significant reduction of emissions from the Pardubice production facilities. And this trend continues today.
The company has transformed the operation of the incinerator at the asphalt production facility to a natural gas-operated incinerator. "Replacement of the heavy heating oil with natural gas has led to yet another reduction of the overall emission burden of the region (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and solid pollution substances). Preferred use of natural gas in the company boiler room has resulted in a fundamental reduction, by more than 90% in comparison with the specified emission limits, of the emissions of sulphur dioxide and solid pollution substances," reminds Eva Laštovičková.
By applying the above stated vigorous measures, Paramo significantly reduces its share of the emissions to the environment in the region. It is necessary to mention here that the emission burden of the Pardubice region is significantly influenced by traffic, small sources and also by the existence or non-existence of inversion climate conditions.
The shutdown of crude oil processing does not only reduce emissions. Without a doubt, this fact also reduces the risk of a serious accident. By shutting down the crude oil processing unit, the company has reduced the number of the main sources of risk related to the operation by 30 percent. "The stated facts apply to the risk sources, which were incorporated into the external emergency plan prepared by the Regional Authorities of the Pardubice Region. However, since 2001, Paramo has implemented several technical measures with the objective to reduce the risk to an acceptable level", adds Eva Laštovičková.
Currently, no hydrogen sulphide is stored on Paramo premises, no LPG is produced or stored there, hydrogen is not produced and crude oil is not stored or processed there either.
PARAMO, a.s., is a producer of asphalt products, lubricating and process oils, incl. subsequent and ancillary products. History of the company started in 1889. Today, Paramo is part of Unipetrol, a leading Czech group doing business in the field of petroleum processing and petrochemical production, which in turn belongs to the family of the supranational group PKN Orlen. Paramo is a 100% owner of Mogul Slovakia, a limited liability company which is engaged in the purchase and sale of oils and lubricants. The company employs 600 people.
Contact:
Jana Iovlevová
Public Relations Officer
PARAMO, a. s.
Mobile phone: 736 507 439
E-mail: iovlevova@paramo.cz