Media Release

Energy Industry Leaders Team up with Penetron to Build a Liquid Synthetic Fuel Plant

Uzbekistan

With the commissioning process completed in September 2021, the liquid synthetic fuel (GTL) refinery in Oltin Yo’l, Uzbekistan is now one of the largest facilities in the world capable of converting gas into liquid fuel. The Penetron System was specified to waterproof the facility’s concrete processing and storage tanks.

Located in Oltin Yo'l in the Qashqadaryo region of Uzbekistan, 40 km south of Qarshi, the US$ 5.6 billion project was jointly developed by Sasol Synfuels of South Africa, state-owned Petronas of Malaysia, and Uzbekistan’s state-owned oil and gas company, Uzbekneftegaz. The Oltin Yo'l gas-to-liquid fuels (GTL) plant uses the proprietary Sasol “slurry-phase distillate” process to purify methane into a range of energy products. Once fully operational, the GTL plant’s annual capacity will be 1.3 million tons of diesel fuel, kerosene, naphtha, and liquefied petroleum gas.

“Synthetic fuels have a number of advantages over their petroleum-based counterparts,” explains Umid Khudaiberganov, Regional Director of Penetron-Uzbekistan. “Unlike traditional oil products, they do not contain sulfur, nitrogen compounds, or aromatic hydrocarbons, greatly lessening their environmental impact.”
 

Optimal Durability for Concrete Refinery Tanks

Designed and built by TechnipFMC, an engineering and construction firm for the energy industry, the GTL process uses a series of concrete treatment and holding tanks to produce the various synthetic fuels. Penetron-Uzbekistan worked with TechnipFMC to develop an optimal concrete waterproofing solution for the refinery.

Ultimately, the Penetron-Uzbekistan team recommended the Penetron System to ensure a robust waterproofing solution for all nine reinforced concrete tanks in Oltin Yo'l. PENECRETE MORTAR, a crystalline waterproofing mortar, and PENETRON, a topical crystalline waterproofing slurry, were used in combination to protect the reinforced concrete structures from any penetration of chemicals or moisture prevalent in the slurry-phase distillate process.
 

Sealing Hairline Cracks in Concrete Forever

Once applied to a prepared concrete surface, the proprietary chemicals in Penetron crystalline products react in a catalytic reaction to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete. These crystals permanently seal micro-cracks, pores, and capillaries against the penetration of water or liquids from any direction – making the concrete impermeable.

“Last but not least, the Penetron System gives treated concrete the ability to self-heal hairline cracks that may form in the future,” adds Umid Khudaiberganov. “Penetron-treated concrete is maintenance free, which will help minimize any future maintenance and repair costs.”

The gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant in Uzbekistan uses a unique distilling process to purify methane into a range of fuels, including: diesel, kerosene, naphtha, and liquefied gas.

Penetron in the tanks: The gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant in Uzbekistan uses a unique distilling process to purify methane into a range of fuels, including: diesel, kerosene, naphtha, and liquefied gas.


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