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Steps in Refining

The document describes the multi-step process of separating and refining crude oil into its main components. In the first step, atmospheric distillation separates molecules based on their weight into fractions like gases, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and residuals. The residuals undergo further distillation to recover more middle distillates. Conversion processes like catalytic cracking are then used to convert heavy molecules into lighter ones like gasoline and diesel. Treating steps remove sulfur and other pollutants to meet environmental standards and optimize fuel performance.

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mehran
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43 views

Steps in Refining

The document describes the multi-step process of separating and refining crude oil into its main components. In the first step, atmospheric distillation separates molecules based on their weight into fractions like gases, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and residuals. The residuals undergo further distillation to recover more middle distillates. Conversion processes like catalytic cracking are then used to convert heavy molecules into lighter ones like gasoline and diesel. Treating steps remove sulfur and other pollutants to meet environmental standards and optimize fuel performance.

Uploaded by

mehran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Separation

In the first step, molecules are separated through atmospheric distillation (i.e. at normal
atmospheric pressure), according to their molecular weight. During the process, which is
also known as topping, the oil is heated at the bottom of a 60-meter distillation column at a
temperature of 350 to 400°C, causing it to vaporize. The vapors rise inside the column
while the heaviest molecules, or residuals, remain at the bottom, without vaporizing. As
the vapors rise, the molecules condense into liquids at different temperatures in the
column. Only gases reach the top, where the temperature has dropped to 150°C. The
liquids, which are become increasingly light the higher they are found in the column, are
collected on trays located at different heights of the column. Each tray collects a
different fraction, also known as a petroleum cut, with highly
viscous hydrocarbons like asphalt(bitumen) at the bottom and gases at the top.

The heavy residuals left over after atmospheric distillation still contain many products of
medium density. The residuals are transferred to another column where they undergo a
second distillation to recover middle distillates like heavy fuel oil and dieselDie
sel is thConversion

There are still many too heavy hydrocarbon molecules remaining after the separation
process. To meet demand for lighter products, the heavy molecules are “cracked” into two
or more lighter ones.

The conversion process, which is carried out at 500°C, is also known as catalytic cracking
because it uses a substance called a catalyst to speed up the chemical reaction. This
process converts 75% of the heavy products into gas, gasoline and diesel. The yield can
be increased further by adding hydrogen, a process called hydrocracking, or by using
deep conversion to remove carbon.

The more complex the operation, the more it costs and the more energy it uses. The
refining industry’s ongoing objective is to find a balance between yield and the cost of
conversion.

Treating
Treating involves removing or significantly reducing molecules that are corrosive or cause
air pollution, especially sulfur. European Union sulfur emission standards are very
stringent. Since January 1, 2009, gasoline and diesel sold in Europe cannot contain more
than 10 parts per million (ppm), or 10 milligrams per kilogram, of sulfur. The purpose of
these measures is to improve air quality and optimize the effectiveness of catalytic
converters used to treat exhaust gas. For diesel, desulfurization, or sulfur removal, is
performed at 370°C, at a pressure of 60 bar. The hydrogen used in the process combines
with the sulfur to form hydrogen sulfide (H S), which is then treated to remove the sulfur, a
2

substance used in industry.

Kerosene, butane and propane are washed in a caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) solution
to remove thiols, also known as mercaptans. This process called sweetening.

e name of an internal combustion engine that works by compression-ignition....


The primary uses of crude oil to this point have been in the production of fuel. A single barrel of crude oil can produces the
following components, which are listed by percent of the barrel they constitute.

 42% Gasoline
 22% Diesel
 9% Jet Fuel
 5% Fuel Oil
 4% Liquefied Petroleum Gases
 18% Other products

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