Oil_and_gas_processing_and_petrochemicals

Course Information

• Course Code and Name: SST 3202 Oil and Gas Processing and Petrochemicals

• Course Level: Year Three Semester II

• Course Credit: 3 CU

Brief Course Description

• Introduction to petroleum products and their classification based on sources.

• Examination of purification methods for crude petroleum.

• Discussion on environmental pollution and its abatement in refining processes.

• Overview of petrochemicals and their applications.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, learners should be able to:

• Explain various petroleum products and classify them.

• Describe different petroleum refining methods.

• Discuss petroleum purification methods.

• Solve environmental issues arising from petroleum products.

• Identify various petrochemicals and their applications.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the program, learners will be able to:

• Identify different petroleum products available in the market.

• Perform petroleum refining and purification using various methods.

• Produce petrochemicals from oil and gas.

• Address environmental problems associated with petroleum/oil and gas production.

• Operate an oil and gas facility.

Detailed Course Description

Petroleum Products

• Classification based on sources including liquid and gaseous fuels (10 hours).

• Lubricating oils, greases, individual hydrocarbons, and petroleum asphalts.

Processing Methods

• Pre-treatment: Crude oil treatment, crude oil fractions, and distillation (6 hours).

• Destructive petroleum processing and thermal processes.

• Kinetic mechanisms of thermal processing, chain initiation, and propagation (6 hours).

Derivative Compounds and Cracking

• Derivatives of alkanes, cyclo-alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics.

• Processes: Thermal cracking, isomerization, catalytic reforming, purification, and finishing of petroleum products.

• Methods: Adsorption, catalytic processes, and treatment with selective solvents (15 hours).

Environmental Considerations

• The impact of pollution and abatement methods in petroleum refining (8 hours).

Petrochemical Reactions

• Basic reactions of hydrocarbons such as oxidation, halogenation, sulfonation, and nitration (15 hours).

Mode of Delivery

• The course will be delivered through lectures, assignments, and exams.

Assessments

• Assignments: 15%

• Tests: 25%

• Final Course Examination: 60%

• Total: 100%

Reading Materials

1. Speight, J.G., (2014). The Chemistry and Technology of Petroleum. CRC Press.

2. Lee, S., Speight, J.G., Loyalka, S.K., (2014). Handbook of Alternative Fuel Technologies. CRC Press.

3. Coker, A.K., (2007). Ludwig's Applied Process Design for Chemical and Petrochemical Plants, Vol. 1. Elsevier Gulf Professional Pub.

4. Riegel, E.R., Kent, J.A., (2003). Riegel's Handbook of Industrial Chemistry. Springer Science & Business Media.

5. Matar, S., Hatch, L.F., (2001). Chemistry of Petrochemical Processes. Gulf Professional Publishing.

6. Chapman, K., (1991). The International Petrochemical Industry.

Crude Oil and Natural Gas

General Overview

• Petroleum: Composed of hydrocarbons and varying compounds such as sulphur, nitrogen, and metals.

• Variations in composition influence refining behaviors and product properties.

Theories of Origin

• Two main theories: Inorganic Origin and Organic Origin, with current consensus favoring organic sources.

• Evidence for organic origin includes:

  • Presence of organic matter in sediment.

  • Discovery of porphyrin pigments indicating biological origins.

Stages of Petroleum Formation

1. Accumulation of organic matter.

2. Migration into surrounding rocks through overloading pressures.

3. Transformation in reservoir rocks.

Detection of Petroleum

Methods

1. Remote Sensing Electro-Optical Detection: Identifies flammable vapors and atmospheric conditions.

2. U.V Flame Detection: Uses the infrared emission spectra to analyze flames versus background radiation.

Exploration and Drilling Techniques

• Conducted using gravity, magnetic field changes, and seismic technology (3D) to identify petroleum traps.

• Vertical and horizontal drilling methods utilized.

Processing Petroleum (Crude Oil)

General Processing Overview

• Initial separation of gases, water, and salts following pressure drop.

• Appearance of crude oil ranges from brownish-green liquid to black viscous states.

Processing Steps

1. Separation Processes: Involves crude stabilization, water treatment, and purification stages including various technological units such as heat treaters and emulsion treaters.

2. Refining Processes: Involves primary separation (distillation) and secondary conversion (cracking, hydrogen treatment), producing desired fuels and petrochemicals.

Products of Petroleum

1. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Used in heating and cooking.

2. Gasoline (Petrol): Mainly used for combustion engines.

3. Jet Fuel: Used mainly in aviation applications.

4. Kerosene: Used for aviation fuel and heating.

5. Diesel Fuel: Used in heavy-duty vehicles.

6. Lubricating Oils: Reduce friction in engines and machines.

7. Asphalt: Used for road construction.

Chemical Properties of Petroleum Products

• API Gravity: Measure of density; higher values indicate lighter oils.

• Sulfur Content: Tests determine "sweet" versus "sour" crude oils.

• Viscosity, Flash and Fire Points: Critical for safety and performance of fuels.

Types of Refining Processes

Primary Processes

• Involves distillation units separating crude into fractions.

Secondary Processes

• Upgrades residuals into usable products using technologies like hydrocracking and catalytic cracking.

Finishing Processes

• Improve product quality and adherence to environmental standards through hydrotreatment, sweetening, and blending.

Petrochemical Technologies

General Overview

• Petrochemicals: Chemical products derived from petroleum.

• Classification: Light, medium, and heavy petrochemicals based on carbon content and application.

Key Processes

• Hydrocarbon Reactions: Reactions for producing important chemicals such as methanol, formaldehyde, and chloromethanes.

• Manufacturing Techniques: Including catalytic reactions and distillation techniques to yield desired products while maintaining purity.