Introduction With recent economic developments, a local South African oil refinery has considered changing its product s
Posted: Mon May 16, 2022 1:37 pm
Introduction With recent economic developments, a local South
African oil refinery has considered changing its product slates by
utilizing the potential of vacuum distillation residues (VDRs) to
offset both distillate yield and product quality demand. However,
the VDRs, which originate from fractionated Arabian heavy crude
oils contain a high content of asphaltenes, sulphur and nitrogen
compounds. This has sparked pressing concern among
environmentalists and engineers. Despite the undesirable occurrence
of VDRs, the engineer's goal is to process these unconventional
heavy crude oils which are separated into four fractions as
asphaltenes, resins, aromatics and saturates into lighter and more
profitable products while adhering to stringent operational and
environmental standards. As there are many processing routes for
valorising refinery residues, the project manager has challenged
you as a member of the team to come up with solutions that will
ensure environmentally friendly operations with valuable products
as soon as possible.
1. Proposed a meaningful process flow diagram for the VDRs
processing plant.
2. Produce a computer-generated PFD. Labelled all major streams
and equipment
3. Presented a detailed process description of the selected
process in line with PFD in 1 above.
African oil refinery has considered changing its product slates by
utilizing the potential of vacuum distillation residues (VDRs) to
offset both distillate yield and product quality demand. However,
the VDRs, which originate from fractionated Arabian heavy crude
oils contain a high content of asphaltenes, sulphur and nitrogen
compounds. This has sparked pressing concern among
environmentalists and engineers. Despite the undesirable occurrence
of VDRs, the engineer's goal is to process these unconventional
heavy crude oils which are separated into four fractions as
asphaltenes, resins, aromatics and saturates into lighter and more
profitable products while adhering to stringent operational and
environmental standards. As there are many processing routes for
valorising refinery residues, the project manager has challenged
you as a member of the team to come up with solutions that will
ensure environmentally friendly operations with valuable products
as soon as possible.
1. Proposed a meaningful process flow diagram for the VDRs
processing plant.
2. Produce a computer-generated PFD. Labelled all major streams
and equipment
3. Presented a detailed process description of the selected
process in line with PFD in 1 above.