Sasol Synthetic Fuels (Pty) Ltd. (SSF) announced in March that work was under way for the installation of a ninth Sasol Advanced Synthol (SAS) reactor at its plant in Secunda, South Africa.
The total value of the project is R220 million.
The first SAS reactor was transported in 1996 and the next seven in 1997 and 1998, at a capital cost of more than R1 billion. Following the successful commissioning and operating performance of these reactors, Sasol has decided to erect a ninth SAS reactor at the SSF plant.
The new-generation SAS reactor consists of one free-standing pressure vessel which results in more efficient operation and maintenance. The reactor was designed to increase production yields and to facilitate further downstream debottlenecking of the production process. One of the measurable benefits of the new SAS reactors is its significant contribution to lowering the cost of producing synthetic crude oil from coal in the longer term.
Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea built the reactor under contract. It was shipped across the Indian Ocean to Richards Bay and from Richards Bay the reactor was transported by truck-tractor to Secunda.
Fully assembled on site, this reactor will have an internal diameter of 8.150 meters, a height of 31.250 meters and a total weight of 692 tons.
J. Fourie, executive director of Sasol Ltd., said, "The successful commissioning and operation of the eight SAS reactors installed in 1998, inspired us to make a further substantial investment in this phenomenal technology. It will allow for more flexibility in terms of plant availability during scheduled shut-downs."
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