Introduction Flashcards
What are the key physicochemical properties of crude oil?
-Density and API gravity
-Viscosity
-Sulfur content
-Boiling point range
-Hydrocarbon composition (paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics)
How does sulfur content in petroleum affect refining?
High sulfur content requires additional desulfurization steps during refining to meet environmental standards and improve fuel quality.
What is the significance of boiling point in petroleum refining?
Boiling point determines the separation of crude oil into fractions during distillation, such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and lubricating oil.
What are the three major refining processes?
Separation: Distillation to separate crude oil into fractions.
Conversion: Processes like catalytic cracking and hydrocracking to convert heavy fractions into lighter, more valuable products.
Treatment: Enhancing quality by purifying and blending the products
Explain the function of a crude oil distillation unit
It separates crude oil into various fractions based on boiling points, such as gasoline, kerosene, and diesel for further process.
What is catalytic cracking?
Catalytic cracking breaks down heavier hydrocarbons into lighter, more valuable products like gasoline and olefins using a catalyst.
Describe the hydrocracking process.
Hydrocracking uses hydrogen and a catalyst to convert heavy hydrocarbons into lighter, more valuable products, such as diesel and jet fuel.
What is the purpose of the Merox unit in refineries?
Desulfirized LPG, jet fuels or kerosene by oxidizing undesired mercaptanns to organic desulfides.
How does isomerization improve fuel quality?
Isomerization converts linear hydrocarbons into branched hydrocarbons, increasing the octane rating of gasoline.
Name three major refineries in Malaysia and their capacities.
Melaka I Refinery (Petronas): 126,000 bbl/day.
Melaka II Refinery (Petronas/ConocoPhillips): 270,000 bbl/day.
Port Dickson Refinery (Hengyuan Refining): 155,000 bbl/day.
What are the challenges faced by refineries in Malaysia?
Challenges include follow to environmental regulations, optimizing operational costs, and maintaining safety standards.
What is the purpose of a vacuum distillation unit?
It separates heavy residual fractions from crude oil distillation under low pressure to prevent thermal cracking.
Explain the role of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit.
The FCC unit upgrades heavy fractions into lighter, high-value products like gasoline and olefins.
Why is the steam reformer unit critical in a refinery?
It produces hydrogen, which is essential for hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes.
What auxiliary facilities are required in refineries for environmental compliance?
Wastewater treatment systems, sulfur recovery units (Claus process), and emission control mechanisms.
