Distillation of Crude Oil

Introduction to Distillation

• Distillation is crucial in oil refineries, transforming crude oil into usable products.
• Begins with boiling: Each liquid has a unique boiling point determined by molecule size and shape.
  • Large molecules = higher boiling point.
  • Small molecules = lower boiling point.

Distillation Process

• Heating: Liquids are vaporized and fed into a column.
• Separation in Column:
  • Heavy liquid condenses at the bottom; light liquid condenses at the top.
  • Fractionating columns use trays and bubble caps for separating components.

Fractionating Columns

• Structure: Contains trays where condensation occurs.
• Functioning:
  • Uses Civ type trays and bubble cap trays for vapor passage and separation.
  • Excess heat causes vapors to rise and liquids to condense at different levels.

Crude Oil Composition

• Comprised of hydrocarbons with close boiling points.
• Grouped into boiling fractions for easier separation.

Stages of Distillation

• Crude Distillation: Initial separation of vapors and liquids.
• Vacuum Distillation:
  • Allows heavier fractions to boil at reduced pressures and lower temperatures.
  • Prevents molecules from cracking apart.

Vacuum Distillation Unit Products

• Lighter fractions proceed to catalytic cracking.
• Produces wax, lubricating oils, industrial fuel oil, and asphalt.

Cracking Process

• Converts heavy oil into high-octane gasoline.
• Catalyst Role:
  • Catalyst remains unchanged while accelerating chemical reactions.
  • Example: Copper used to demonstrate catalyst reactivity.

Catalytic Cracking Unit

• Uses silica and alumina catalyst in a fluidized state.
• Continuous cycle of catalyst heating, cracking, and regeneration.

Catalytic Reforming

• Converts low-octane gasoline to high-octane gasoline.
• Process:
  • Involves three stages of heating and reforming.
  • Uses a platinum catalyst.

Additional Processes

• Refining also yields raw materials for the chemical industry.
• Thousands of petroleum-based products developed.

Conclusion

• Key refining processes include crude and vacuum distillation, cracking, and reforming.
• Continuous innovation leads to new product developments.