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Crude Assay, ASTM, TBP distillations, Evaluation of crude
oil properties.
Crude Oil Distillation
Crude oil distillation is an open art technology.
The crude oil is distilled at atmospheric pressure and
separated into various fractions as desired in Crude oil
distillation unit .
The reduced crude oil is further fractionated under vacuum to
produce vacuum gas oil (VGO) as a feed to Hydrocracker or
FCCU in a Fuel type Vacuum Unit,or distilled to produce Lube
oil feed stock in a Lube type Vacuum Unit.
Crude Oil Distillation Scheme[1,2]
Fig:2.5 Crude Oil Distillation Scheme
Crude Oil Properties
Sulfur, nitrogen, and metals content.
Sulfur.
Sour vs sweet — ~0.5 wt% cutoff restrictions on sulfur in
final products.
Nitrogen
Usually tolerate up to 0.25 wt%.
Nickel, vanadium, copper
Can poison catalysts.
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Tend to be in the largest molecules/highest boiling fractions.
Properties appropriate for certain boiling point ranges[1,2]
Octane number
Cetane number
Viscosities
Carbon residue
Crude Assay
The complete and definite analysis of a crude oil is called crude
assay.A complete crude assay will contain some or all of the
following:
1. Whole crude gravity, Viscosity, ‘S’ content, pour point etc.
2. TBP curve, Mid Volume plot of gravity, Viscosity etc.
3. Light end analysis up to C8 and C9.
4. Properties of fractions. (naphtha, middle distillates, gas oil
residue).Yield vs Vol.%, gravity, S, viscosity, octane no.,
diesel index, Flash point , Fire point, Smoke point, Pore point,
Vapor Pressure etc.
5. Properties of lube distillates ( only if the crude is suitable for
the manufacture of lube base stocks).
6. Properties of asphalt (only if residue have suitable
characteristics for preparation of asphalt.
7. EFV curve run at atm. Pressure. Not useful for design work
but is of great importance to the refinery or to a crude oil
purchaser.
Crude Oil Characterization[1,2]
Trading: Density,API Gravity
Transportation: RVP,Pour Point,KV,Wax content
Contamination: Salt content,BS&W
Processability: Sulfur,Nitrogen,TAN,Asphaltene,MCR
Cracking Point: ASTM Distillation
LPG Potential: Light hydrocarbons(GC)
Classification: Characterization factor
API & S, N & Asphaltene
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Fig:2.6 API & S, N & Asphaltene
Crude Oil Assay
Indicates distribution quantity and quality of crude oil
feedstock based upon boiling point temperature range.
Represents expected products from crude and vacuum
distillation.
Quality measures[1,2]
Specific gravity and API gravity.
Sulfur content.
Octane number and Cetane number.
Viscosity.
Carbon residue.
TBP Curves
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Fig:2.7 TBP Curves
Watson characterization factor.
12 – 13 (Paraffinic) to 10 (Aromatic)
Laboratory Distillation[16]
Helps to characterize a product and also helpful in data
designing.
Forms a basis of design of distillation.
Three different types:
A:True boiling point distillation (TBP) for crude used to obtain true
boiling point distillation curve good fractionation.
Number of plates and amount of reflux must specified.
True Boiling Point(TBP)(ASTM D2892)
10 to 20 theroretical stages near infinite reflux.
1 atm; no hotter than 650oF minimize cracking.
TBP DATA
Large no. of stages and a high reflux to distillate ratio so as
the temperature at any point on temperature Vs volumetric
yields curve represents the actual boiling (true boiling) points
of the hydrocarbon material present at the Vol. % point.
Hempel Distillation:Semi fractionating type distillation, but
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can be used TBP data, where TBP data are insufficient.
ASTM Distillation or Engler Distillation
Simple distillation carried out with standard ASTM flask of
100, 200, 500 ml capacity.
No reflux is provided.
Rapid batch distillation employing no trays or reflux between
the still pot and condensation.
ASTM Distillation Analyses
ASTM D1160
Used on Resids (650 oF).
Relatively low resolution.
Vaccum conditions 10 to 40mmHg,no hotter than
1000oF AEBP.
Correlations to correct to atmospheric pressure & TBP
basis.
ASTM Distillation
At the end in TBP only pure component less volatile
component is present. Whereas in ASTM more volatile
components and less volatile both are present so FBP is lower
in ASTM.
Separation is poorer compared to TBP.
IBP for ASTM is higher than that for the TBP.
FBP for ASTM is lower than that for the TBP.
e.g. Kerosene TBP Range 135300oC.
ASTM range 160275oC.
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Equilibrium Flash Vaporization[1,2,7]
By conducting operation at a series of temperature,curve,%
vaporized Vs temperature may be plotted.
Mixture is heated without allowing the vapor to separate from
the remaining liquids, the vapor assist in causing the high
boiling point of the mixture to vaporize.
Similar to ASTM but vapor and liquid are kept in contact till
the desired degree of vaporization is reached. Poorer
separation. (Higher IBP LOWER FBP than ASTM).
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