Quote:
Originally Posted by red-beard
Where is the Asphalt coming from these days?
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Some refineries still make asphalt, usually just enough to keep up with demand to keep the price from going too low. It's generally not very profitable, just a
little over break-even.
Valero has a small asphalt plant in Wilmington, Ca, it's one of two local asphalt plants still operating that I am aware of. Note that we're talking the liquid material, not a pavement plant.
Used to be they'd tear up an old road and dump the material and replace it all will new.
Nowadays, they recover the old pavement and grind it up and mix it with a little bit of new asphalt, and recycle. that requires less asphalt than it used to.
Petroleum coke is almost always sold at a loss, around $175/ton which barely covers the handling. but it is a true waste product. The money is made converting the tar into higher value fuels.
Sulfur is also considered a byproduct of refining, but it can be a money-maker. Lots and lots of products are made with sulfur. Especially if the refinery has molten sulfur handling capability.
