Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The project, implemented for the first time in Uzbekistan, will improve the quality of produced base oils of the first group and bring them to European standards.

The Ferghana Oil Refinery has begun implementing a large-scale program to improve the quality of base oils produced. The program provides for the modernization of the atmospheric-vacuum column, as well as repairs of production plants producing mineral base oils. The goal of the program is to bring the physical and chemical characteristics of oils to the levels that meet the best European standards.

As part of the first stage of the program, the catalyst on the base oil hydrotreating column was replaced. This installation carries out deep cleaning of oil products from sulfur, nitrogen, aromatic hydrocarbons and resinous asphaltenous substances, which negatively affect the oxidation stability, corrosion characteristics and color of oils.

Saneg technical specialists chose the most modern solution - a catalyst of the HyBRIM family, which is produced by the world leader in catalytic process technologies - the Danish company Topsoe. This is a new generation of catalysts that provides deep purification from sulfur and nitrogen impurities.

“The base oil quality improvement program is a step forward in the company’s commitment to innovation and product improvement. The new catalyst will make it possible to make the most efficient use of the potential of the hydrotreating unit and produce oils with improved antioxidant and anti-corrosion properties, with improved color, which brings the product closer to global API standards for base oils,” said Saneg CEO Tulkin Yusupov.

After hydrotreating, the improved base oils will be used in the production of motor, transmission, hydraulic, gear, compressor and other types of commercial oils under the SEG Motol brand. In 2024, the company plans to produce about 130,000 tons of base oils.