Crude Oil Refining Processes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions related to crude oil refining processes to assist in exam preparation.

Oil Refining Process

The process of transforming and refining crude oil into more useful products like gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.

Separation

A basic objective of petroleum refineries, involving the division of crude oil into different fractions.

Conversion

A key refinery operation where heavy fractions are transformed into lighter, more valuable products.

Treatment

The process of removing impurities, such as sulfur, from crude oil fractions.

Distillation

A process in which crude oil is heated in a distillation column to separate it into fractions based on boiling points.

Cracking

A conversion process that breaks down heavy hydrocarbons into lighter, more valuable products.

Hydrotreating

A treatment process that uses hydrogen to remove sulfur and other impurities from petroleum products.

Blending

The process of mixing petroleum products to meet specific quality specifications.

Desalting

The process of removing water, salts, and impurities from crude oil prior to refining.

Ebullated Bed Reactor

A type of reactor used in hydrocracking that maintains a fluidized catalyst bed for better hydrogen mixing and conversion rates.

Claus Process

A method for recovering elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide (H2S) during oil refining.

Alkylation

A process combining isobutane and light olefins to produce high-octane gasoline components.

Isomerization

A process converting straight-chain hydrocarbons into branched-chain isomers to enhance octane ratings.

Visbreaking

A thermal cracking process that reduces the viscosity of heavy oils.

Sour Water Stripper

A unit used to remove hydrogen sulfide from wastewater streams in oil refineries.

Petroleum Coke

A carbon-rich solid produced from the thermal cracking of heavy oil fractions.

Hydrocracking

A process that uses hydrogen and a catalyst to convert heavy fractions into lighter, higher-value products.

Catalytic Reforming

A process that converts low-octane naphtha into high-octane reformate for gasoline production.

Extractive Merox

A treatment process to remove sulfur compounds from LPG and other petroleum products.

What are the typical operating conditions for an atmospheric distillation column?

Typical operating conditions for an atmospheric distillation column include atmospheric pressure, temperatures ranging from 350°C to 400°C, and a feed consisting of crude oil.

What are the primary products obtained from an atmospheric distillation column?

The primary products from an atmospheric distillation column include naphtha, kerosene, diesel, and residual fuel oil.

What is naphtha used for?

Naphtha is primarily used as a feedstock for petrochemical production and as a solvent or fuel.

What is the purpose of kerosene in the refining process?

Kerosene is used as a jet fuel and as a feedstock for producing high-value chemicals.

What are the applications of diesel produced in an atmospheric distillation column?

Diesel is widely used as fuel for vehicles, machinery, and heating purposes.

What is the residual fuel oil, and where is it used?

Residual fuel oil is a heavy product used predominantly in marine vessels and industrial heating applications.