Processing Crude Oil

Name: Processing Crude Oil
Author: KnowledgeCity

Discover the steps involved in the oil refining process

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Course: On-Demand

Now that we've discussed the main components of crude oil, let's dive a little deeper and look at the processes used to recover and distill it as well as how boiling point and phase changes are used to separate them. All are part of a procedure called refining. We discussed already how oil wells are formed as fossilized organic matter seeps through the soil and rises through rock formations. Survey ships are usually the ones sent out to discover these wells through sophisticated methods. They use sensitive gravity meters that can measure small changes in the Earth's gravity, which can indicate the location and density of underground rock formations and oil wells. They also use seismic methods that utilize shockwaves to penetrate through rock layers to determine whether there is a pocket of oil within it. Once these wells are located, the next step is to remove the petroleum using large drills. First, a team digs a large reserve pit, then they set up the oil rig. After that, the drill bores through the rock and into the well. Next, water is flushed into the well to naturally displace the fuel and create a flow of the oil further down into the well. This process also generates pressure and creates expansion of the natural gas at the top of this reservoir. The natural gas that was originally dissolved in the oil is extracted. After significant pressure has built up, the oil is forced to the surface using a series of pumps, valves and pipelines. Over the lifetime of the well, the pressure will eventually start dropping which makes it harder to pump towards the surface. This is where the secondary extraction techniques come in. Typical methods involve injecting water, steam, or gas to create pressure the rig needs to extract the oil. In some cases, advance or tertiary, techniques are required to change the composition of the oil in order to make it flow. Thermally enhanced oil recovery methods are often used in this case, and involve steam injection in combination with the co-generation plant. This increase in heat reduces the viscosity of the oil making it easier to extract. Hydraulic fracturing is another effective method for fossil fuel extraction in deep rock formations. This involves a high pressure injection of a fracturing fluid into the entrance of the well which creates fissures and cracks within the rock. The result is free-flowing natural gas, petroleum and saltwater. Once these petrochemicals have been extracted, they can be further refined into a variety of different products. The most common product which most people are familiar with is gasoline. This is a fuel that can be used to power most vehicles, including automobiles, planes, and boats. Other common petroleum products include vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, asphalt paving, lubricants, heating oil, synthetic rubber, and plastics.

Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 3 Lessons · 10m in Arabic, English

Course Description

In this course on Processing Crude Oil, we will discuss the specific steps and elements in refining crude oil. We will begin our discussion by diving a little deeper and looking at the processes used to recover crude oil and distill it, as well as how boiling point and phase changes are used to separate it.

As part of our discussion of crude oil processing, we will examine fractional distillation which relies on specific properties of each petroleum component. Heat, pressure, volume, and flow are the main control factors that allow for the separation of different compounds, also known as fractions. Boiling points, which are a primary physical property on which distillations are based, will also be part of our discussion. Additionally, you will learn about phase behavior, which involves complex interactions between distinct separable points in matter, known as phases. The most common phases are solids, liquids, and gasses. All of these phase changes play a role in the refining and distillation process, especially in more advanced methods of oil recovery.

What You'll Learn

Understand the refining process used to recover and process crude oil
Analyze fractional distillation and how it separates petroleum components into fractions
Examine how heat, pressure, volume, and flow control the separation of compounds
Explain how boiling points serve as a primary physical property for distillation
Understand phase behavior and the role of solid, liquid, and gas phase changes in refining

Key Takeaways

Refining crude oil involves specific steps to recover the oil and distill it, using boiling point and phase changes to separate it.
Fractional distillation relies on the specific properties of each petroleum component to separate compounds known as fractions.
Heat, pressure, volume, and flow are the main control factors that allow for the separation of different compounds.
Boiling points are a primary physical property on which distillations are based.
Phase behavior involves interactions between phases such as solids, liquids, and gasses, and these phase changes play a role in refining and distillation, especially in more advanced oil recovery methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Processing Crude Oil course cover?

The course covers the specific steps and elements in refining crude oil, including the processes used to recover and distill crude oil, fractional distillation and the conversion process, and phase behavior.

What will I learn about fractional distillation?

You will learn how fractional distillation relies on the specific properties of each petroleum component, and how heat, pressure, volume, and flow act as the main control factors that separate different compounds, known as fractions.

What lessons are included in this course?

The course includes three lessons: Drilling and Extraction; Fractional Distillation and the Conversion Process; and Phase Behavior.

What skills does this course help develop?

This course helps develop skills in distillation, fluid catalytic cracking, oil analysis, oil refining, petroleums, and refining.

What is phase behavior in the context of this course?

Phase behavior involves complex interactions between distinct separable points in matter known as phases, with the most common phases being solids, liquids, and gasses; these phase changes play a role in the refining and distillation process.