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KnowledgeCity

Oil Refinery Operations Series

Oil refineries utilize various operations and treatments to convert crude oil into a variety of different products.
Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 25 lessons.
Course: On-Demand
Beginner Provider KnowledgeCity  7 chapters ·  25 Lessons ·  1h 4m  in Arabic, English 

Course Description

The tasks carried out in a refinery have one single objective: to keep the world running. In addition to fueling global movement, oil refineries are positioned as one of the world's economic meters, since they influence a huge range of products, from the creation of plastics for medical supplies, to the fuels used for many modes of transportation. Refining applies chemical engineering processes to purify materials, separating different particles and leaving behind waste products. Oil refineries utilize various operations and treatments to convert crude oil into a variety of different products.

This course will cover the range of refinement methods including atmospheric distillation, catalytic reforming, hydrodesulfurization, and catalytic cracking. We’ll explore refinery facilities and how operations differ depending on the end products they produce. We’ll also learn about the most common products obtained through crude oil refining, such as diesel, gasoline, lubricants, and fuel oils.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore oil refinery facilities and operations and how they differ depending on the end products produced
  • Discover the range of oil refinement methods, including atmospheric distillation, catalytic reforming, hydrodesulfurization, and catalytic cracking
  • Learn about the variables and reactions that may occur during the refinement process
  • Identify the common products obtained through crude oil refining, such as diesel, gasoline, lubricants, and fuel oils
  • Examine alkylation processes, including the hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid alkylation methods
  • Understand supporting refinery processes such as hydrotreating, sulfur recovery, and catalytic cracking process variables

Key Takeaways

  • Oil refineries apply chemical engineering processes to purify materials, separating particles and leaving behind waste products to convert crude oil into a variety of products.
  • Refinement methods covered include atmospheric distillation, catalytic reforming, hydrodesulfurization, and catalytic cracking.
  • Refinery operations differ depending on the end products they are designed to produce.
  • Common products obtained from crude oil refining include diesel, gasoline, lubricants, and fuel oils.
  • The course examines process variables such as feed quality, reactor temperature, feed rate, and recycle rate that affect refining.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

The course covers the range of oil refinement methods including atmospheric distillation, catalytic reforming, hydrodesulfurization, and catalytic cracking. It explores refinery facilities and how operations differ depending on the end products they produce, and the most common products obtained through crude oil refining, such as diesel, gasoline, lubricants, and fuel oils.

What refining processes and topics are included in the lessons?

Lessons cover distillation, control valve guidelines and applications, alkylation (including the hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid alkylation processes), catalytic reforming, reformer equipment, regeneration, hydrotreating, sulfur recovery, combustion, vacuum flashing, and catalytic cracking with its process variables.

What skills can I gain from this course?

The course is associated with skills in chemical plant operations, oil refining, petrochemical work, petroleums, refinery experience, and refining.

What process variables does the course address?

The course addresses process variables including feed quality; reactor temperature, feed rate, and recycle rate; and time of day and temperature.