Project 01 · Oil & Gas · Refining

Hydrogen-rich tail-gas compression for refinery modernisation.

LocationAzerbaijan · Caspian region
ApplicationPSA tail-gas compression
Capacity11,427 Sm³/h
Power1,370 kW installed
Project overview

Engineered packages for one of the Caspian region's most advanced refineries.

Technofrigo by Clauger (formerly GEA Refrigeration Italy S.p.A.) was selected by a major Oil & Gas Licensor to supply and engineer tail-gas compression packages for a refinery modernisation programme in Azerbaijan. These units support PSA technology to supply high-quality hydrogen.

Pure hydrogen is essential to the refining process — it decontaminates oil and facilitates the catalytic processes that produce clean-burning fuels, including those that meet Euro V standards for vehicle emissions. The modernisation programme will enable the refinery to process 7.5 million metric tons per annum of crude oil blended from local sources.

The role of PSA technology

Pressure Swing Adsorption purifies hydrogen produced as a byproduct of refining and from steam methane reformers. This purified hydrogen is essential for decontaminating crude oil, facilitating catalytic processes, and producing clean-burning fuels and refined products. Our tail-gas compression packages ensure the PSA system operates efficiently, stabilising pressure and returning treated gas to the purification cycle.

The challenge

Reliable compression supporting PSA hydrogen purification.

The refinery required reliable tail-gas compression systems to support its PSA hydrogen-purification technology, operating continuously in demanding refinery conditions and meeting stringent safety and environmental standards.

Core requirements

  • Receive tail gas from the PSA system and stabilise discharge pressure
  • Compress gas from 0.31 bar(g) to 6.7 bar(g) with minimal oil contamination
  • Operate continuously in demanding refinery conditions
  • Meet stringent safety and environmental standards
Our solution

A complete oil-flooded screw compression package.

We engineered complete compression packages using oil-flooded screw compressor technology optimised for this hydrogen-rich application. The system compresses tail gas to 6.7 bar(g) and cools it to 40 °C before returning it to the process.

Key system components

  • Oil-flooded screw compressor — single-stage compression with integrated oil separation
  • Two-stage oil separation — main and final separators delivering gas with less than 1 ppm oil content
  • Redundant oil circuit — two oil pumps (one in standby) with pressure control and temperature regulation
  • Dual oil cooling system — two coolers (one in standby) with common water cooling circuit
  • After-cooling — gas temperature reduction to 40 °C for system reintegration
  • Winterisation — complete oil circuit protection for continuous operation
  • Personnel protection — rock wool and aluminium insulation for operator safety

Engineering standards

All vessels and heat exchangers were designed and manufactured to ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) standards and TEMA R (Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association) specifications, ensuring compliance with international safety and performance requirements for refinery applications.

Technical specifications

The numbers at a glance.

Performance and architecture in summary — full design dossiers available on request under NDA.
Compressor type Oil-flooded, single-stage screw
Model GEA XHA-XH36A-28
Capacity 11,427 Sm³/h
Gas handled Hydrogen-rich tail gas from PSA system
Suction pressure 0.31 bar(g)
Discharge pressure 6.7 bar(g)
Installed power 1,370 kW
Oil content (delivered gas) < 1 ppm
Project impact

What this installation actually delivers.

Impact 01 Clean fuel production

Supports Euro V emission standards for transportation fuels via reliable PSA hydrogen supply.

Impact 02 Process efficiency

Hydrogen recycling and reuse throughout refinery operations — closing the loop on a valuable resource.

Impact 03 Environmental protection

Environmentally conscious operations protecting quality of life in the surrounding region.

Impact 04 Operational reliability

Redundant oil pumps and coolers ensure continuous operation in this critical process environment.

Impact 05 Regional leadership

Supports one of the most advanced refineries in the Caspian Sea region — processing 7.5 Mtpa of crude.

Impact 06 < 1 ppm oil delivery

Two-stage oil separation delivers gas clean enough to recycle directly into the PSA cycle.

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