Oil refining and petrochemistry experienced their rapid development in the thirties of the last century. By the end of the 20th century, the products of processing this source of hydrocarbons accounted for more than 50% of the total production of organic compounds, about 1/3 of the products of the entire chemical industry.
Production purpose
Why is oil refining and petrochemistry of the enterprise carried out? What is its scale? Let us dwell on these important issues for our country. Among the main development trends, the following points can be distinguished:
- increase in capacity of installations;
- increasing the economy of raw materials;
- reduction of energy consumption through recovery;
- the use of new types of raw materials.
In terms of scale, oil refining and petrochemicals occupies the 19th place in the world. Its goal is the manufacture of various types of fuel (aviation, automotive), as well as raw materials for phased chemical synthesis.
Processing processes
Refining and petrochemicals during primary processing are not associated with chemical changes. Only the physical separation of this source of hydrocarbons into separate fractions is assumed.
At the preparatory stage, oil is delivered to the refinery, where it is purified from a variety of mechanical impurities. Dissolved light hydrocarbons are removed from it, and then the oil is dehydrated in special plants (ELOU).
Atmospheric distillation
Refining and petrochemicals are based on this process. Mineral goes to distillation columns, where it is separated at atmospheric pressure into separate fractions: heavy and light gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and also fuel oil. Since the products obtained by distillation do not meet the requirements established for petroleum products, subsequent (secondary) processing takes place.
Vacuum distillation
The College of Petrochemistry and Oil Refining involves acquaintance of students with the main methods of its processing. For example, vacuum distillation is the distillation of fractions from fuel oil that are suitable for the production of paraffins, oils, motor fuels, and other petrochemical synthesis products. Tar is used as a product, used for the production of bitumen.
Secondary processes
They are designed to increase the number of engine oils produced, associated with a change in the chemical composition of hydrocarbons. Depending on the direction, all secondary processes are divided into three types:
- deepening: thermal and catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, delayed coking, production of bitumen;
- ennobling: hydrotreating, reforming, isomerization;
- others: alkylation, oil production, production of aromatic hydrocarbons
In catalytic cracking, the raw material is vacuum light or atmospheric gas oil. The essence of the process is the splitting of molecules of heavy hydrocarbons, due to which it is possible to obtain a pentane-hexane fraction (gas gasoline), as well as residue - fuel oil.
When hydrocracking in an excess of hydrogen, hydrocarbon molecules break down. The product is diesel fuel.
During isomerization, raw materials for chemical production are obtained: isopentane, isoprene, as well as high-octane components of motor gasoline.
Innovate experience
“Oil Refining and Petrochemistry” - a journal published monthly since 1966 by TsNIITEneftekhim. It is a collection of scientific articles that are dedicated to various achievements, as well as the translation of advanced manufacturing experience. This print publication is registered with the State Press Committee of the Russian Federation, has registration certificate No. 016079 of 05/07/1997. The journal is contained in the official list of the Higher Attestation Commission (List of the best scientific publications that are published in the country, where the main results of dissertations for the degree of doctors of sciences are presented).
It contains the minutes of meetings held by the Board of the Association of Oil Refiners and Petrochemists, reports that were presented at various conferences and scientific seminars relating to pressing problems of oil refining and petrochemicals.
Of particular interest to industry experts are the individual issues of the specialized publication, in the preparation of which (on contractual terms), participating enterprises are involved.
The specifics of training
In our country, there are many educational institutions that train specialists for the chemical industry. Thus, the College of Petrochemicals and Oil Refining in Nizhnekamsk was specially created to train personnel for the Nizhnekamsk Petrochemical Combine of the Ministry of Petrochemical and Oil Refining Industries of the country in 1964.
At present, this educational institution is training apparatchiks-operators of inorganic substances production, machinists of technological compressors and pumps, locksmiths for instrumentation and automation, oil refining operators, locksmiths, welders, machinists of technological compressors and pumps, universal turners, laboratory assistants and analysts .
To summarize
Currently, oil has become the basis of the modern global economy. It is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without a variety of products derived from such a mineral: gasoline, kerosene, petroleum jelly, plastics, organic solvents.
Particularly rapidly, oil consumption grew at the end of the last century. Nowadays, 2/3 of all energy produced is precisely the share of gas and oil. In addition to the production of various organic compounds, oil has been used by humans to treat certain skin diseases.
At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, internal combustion engines appeared, for which gasoline is the main fuel. This contributed to a significant expansion of petrochemical production, the introduction of new technologies.
Over the past decade, the approach to the use of oil has significantly changed in our country. Particular attention is paid to its complex processing, which allows optimal use of this valuable natural resource.