Enefit technology

Enefit technology

Enefit is a technology that processes oil shale into oil and gas and generates electricity as a by-product. The efficiency of the technology comes from its 100% use of the mined oil shale. All organic matter is fully utilized, and high performance in oil extraction is further aided by additional revenue streams associated with utilisation of excess heat and gas generated in the process. Waste heat is used to generate electricity, making Enefit shale oil plants net producers of electricity. The Technology uses a whole wealth of industrial oil production experience obtained over 100 years of oil shale history in Estonia. Enefit’s dedicated engineers, operators and researchers have been developing the process for more than 30 years, resulting in numerous patents for the key elements of Enefit Technology.

Building an oil plant with Enefit-technology

The construction of Eesti Energia’s next-generation oil plant, Enefit280, started in 2009. The Enefit280 oil plant produced the first batch of shale oil in December 2012, and large-scale oil production has gradually started. The plant uses new Enefit280 technology, which is more reliable, has a higher capacity, and also has less impact on the environment. Enefit Solutions participated in designing and producing the technological hubs and in installing the mechanical equipment.

Work for the oil shale plant


Specification

  • Design for the 1000-tonne retort: design work and shop drawings
  • Manufacture of 2000 tonnes of equipment from carbon steel and stainless steel
  • Oil shale plant electrical filter weighing 800 tonnes, built by Eesti Energia Tehnoloogiatööstus in partnership with Elex of Switzerland. This filter is designed to eliminate solid particles from production gases in order to comply with strict environmental regulations
  • Retort weighing 700 tonnes
  • Circulating fluidised bed weighing 175 tonnes

Other equipment

  • Manufacture of 5600 tonnes of steel structures:galleries, stairs, support elements, roofs, walls etc;
  • Installation of 10 000 tonnes of equipment and steel structures
  • Supply and building work for 2500 tonnes of stonework;
  • Supply and installation of 15000m² of insulation work

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