INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT

PETRONAS CHEMICAL MTBE SDN.BHD

SHARIFAH NUR NASUHA BINTI SYED AFANDI

REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR

THE BACHELOR IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY Hons. In PROCES

UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL

AND BIOENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

2019
 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT
PETRONAS CHEMICAL MTBE SDN.BHD

SHARIFAH NUR NASUHA BINTI SYED AFANDI

REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR

BACHELOR IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY HONS. IN PROCESS

UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL

AND BIOENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

2019

i
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this report is my own work except for the references that cited
in Bibliography. The report has been accepted and is not concurrently submitted in
candidature of any degree.

Date: Signature:

ii
 SIGNATURE PAGE

This report has been examined and verified by:

………………………………….. ……………
(EN. MUSTAQIM BIN KHALID) DATE
Executive offsite, Utilities and Marine

………………………………….. ……………
(DR. ALIFF RADZUAN BIN MOHAMAD RADZI) DATE
Supervisor UniKL MICET

iii
iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First in the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, and Him alone is worthy of all
like praises. First and foremost, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my
supervisor, En. Mustaqim Bin Khalid for constantly guiding and encouraging me
through this study. Thanks a lot for giving me a professional training, advice and
suggestion to bring this project to its final form. I would like also to thank to both of
my parents, Syed Afandi Bin Syed Harun and Engku Noreda Binti Tuan Taukib for
all your support.

I am very thankful to the entire staff for their great help with advice and
workmanship also the guidance and assistance along this internship program. During
this internship program, there are some people who made this journey easier with
words of encouragement and they have contributed towards my understanding and
thought.

Finally, heartiest thanks to my friends for their views and tips that are very useful
and indeed for their concern and encouragement conveyed throughout my life and all
my best friend for all them continues support during my study in UniKL MICET.

v
ABSTRACT

vi
ABSTRAK

vii
 TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE
DECLARATION ii

SIGNATURE PAGE iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

ABSTRACT vi

ABSTRAK vii

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF FIGURES xii

LIST OF APPENDIX xiii

CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION. 1

1.0 INTRA Overview. 1

1.2 INTRA Purposes. 2

1.3 Advantages of INTRA. 2

1.4 Location of INTRA. 3

1.5 Trainee Position. 4

1.6 Internship General Info. 5

1.7 Schedule of INTRA. 5

CHAPTER II : PRESENTATION OF PETRONAS CHEMICAL MTBE. 6

2.1 Company profile 6

2.1.1 Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) 6

viii
 2.1.2 PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCGB) 7

2.2 Petronas Chemicals MTBE Sdn Bhd 9

2.3 History of company 9

2.4 Vision and mission 11

2.5 Company Corporate Logo 11

2.6 Company Organizational Chart 12

2.6.1 MTBE Plant Department. 13

2.6.2 MTBE Plant Department (OMB Section). 14

2.6.3 MTBE Plant Department (OE Section). 14

2.6.4 MTBE Plant Department (Offsite, Utilities and Marine Section). 14

2.7 Nature of Company’s Business/Activities 15

2.7.1 Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) 18

CHAPTER III : Report on Job/Task/Assignment/Project. 22

3.1 MTBE Production Process Description 22

3.2 Trainee’s involvement during internship 24

3.2.1 Activity 1: Safety Briefing 24

3.2.3 Activity 2: Prepared Equipment Joint Isolation Sheet (EJIS) for PC

MTBE Plant Turnaround 2020. 25

3.2.3 Activity 3: Sample collection routine at area 600 26

3.2.4 Activity 4: Do a lab test for industrial effluent treatment system (IETS)
and wastewater treatment. 26

3.2.5 Activity 5: Labelling project. 28

3.2.6 Activity 6: Replacing the soda ash at tank T-1402 with the Demin
water. 28

3.2.7 Activity 8: Rerouting off-spec MTBE project by using Pentane loading

bay facility 29

3.2.8 Activity 9: Non-Technical task during Internship 30

ix
 3.2 Gantt Chart 32

CHAPTER IV : CONCLUSSION 35

CHAPTER V : RECOMENDATION 36

REFERENCES 37

x
 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITTLE PAGE

xi
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITTLE PAGE

xii
 LIST OF APPENDIX

APPENDIX TITTLE PAGE

xiii
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRA Overview.

University Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering

Technology (UniKL MICET) is one of the leading universities in Malaysia where it
manages to secure 19th place from 45 universities. This university is one of the most
ideal places to pursue a dream where it provides a course that able to satisfy the market
needs or demands. Most of the programmed offered in this university will complete
with industrial training in the fourth or third years after complete all of the subject
from the study planner.

The Industrial Training which also known as INTRA is one of the vital
requirements in order to graduate. This programme will open up a new platform to the
students to begin a journey for their career path and creates a higher opportunity in
order to be recruit by any corporations afterwards. On the other hand, the duration for
this INTRA is six months where it is sufficient enough for the student to expose with
the working environment. Besides, during their training the student can gained an
experience and knowledge as well as the soft skills which it cannot be accomplished
at the University.

1
1.2 INTRA Purposes.

The purpose of INTRA are to foster the engagement of students with industry
as early as in the first semester of study. On the other hand, the other purposes of
INTRA are to introduce UniKL students to the industrial culture and real working
environment and also to increase the competitiveness and marketability of UniKL
graduates, which eventually reflects the quality graduate profile meeting the national
needs. Lastly, to build effective University partnership and collaboration with local or
global companies

1.3 Advantages of INTRA.

The advantages that had been gained through the INTRA programme is that
the student can know how the real working experience during their internship period.
INTRA program is important because nowadays most of the employers are hesitant to
hire a fresh graduate student from this training the student can get a working
experience in a real field. On the other hand, based on this programme also the students
can learn how to manage their soft skills such as communication, punctuality and time
management. These are skills that are one of the keys for success at a workplace or
college. Working in a professional setting for the first time can be difficult to get used
to, but it is the best way to learn how to navigate the working world through real-life,
and also hands-on experience. One of the most valuable skills that will gain from this
internship programmed are the ability to speak with the people in a professional
setting. This will help a lot especially during the interview for jobs because the student
will be more confident and will sound more mature.

Besides that, the student also can learn what the roles and responsibilities of a
particular career are from people working in the field. An internship also can help a
student start to build a professional network which can be a resource for the student.
A network can help a student to make well-informed decisions about their career and

2
connect them with other professionals or opportunities that will help a student to
achieve success in a field.

1.4 Location of INTRA.

A long list of great social corporation was given by UniKL but there are only
a few companies that were captive the attention after the consideration of the trade,
distance, allowance. There were a few shortlisted of the corporation had been made
and the selected companies have given a positive respond for the internship application
and the mutual agreement had been made soon after. Then, upon the heavy
consideration Petronas Chemical MTBE was selected which it was located at Kawasan
Perindustrian Gebeng, Kuantan at Lot 111/112, Kawasan Perindustrian Gebeng,
26080, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur at the longitude 39.8⁰N, 103.38⁰E.

Figure 1: Location of Petronas MTBE 3D.

3
 Figure 2: Petronas MTBE plant location 2D.

1.5 Trainee Position.

The position of internship is well-manage and well-structured in order to

matching the trainee requirement for the placement as possible. Besides that, the
opportunity of experiencing the real time situation in working environment leads the
trainee to adapt and alert with all the possibilities of the environment and cultural of
working habits.

The trainee had been attached at the Operation Department in a utilities section.
On the other hand, the trainee was trained as a real engineer where the trainee had
given a task to troubleshoot and solve the issue that had been emerged in the site. The
trainee also was trained about the job that had been doing at the utilities section.

4
1.6 Internship General Info.

The detail information of internship is regarding the position, supervisor, major

task that had been given during the 6 months of internship. The elected supervisors
from Petronas Chemicals MTBE Sdn. Bhd is Mr. Mustaqim Bin Khalid which is the
Executive Offsite, Utilities and Marine. A vital project was selected after a further
discussion was made between the supervisors and the title of the project was rerouting
off spec MTBE by using the loading bay facility which had been done with the operator
and the executive at the site. Hence, most of the small task given was the data
organization, ventilation calculation checking, prepare an isolation method for
turnaround project, prepare a sampling for waste water treatment. In addition, the
trainee also actively participated in company’s event within 24 weeks of the internship
period. This is a good opportunity for the trainee to improve their communication skills
which are involving a multi-level of the hierarchy of an organization besides moulding
them to become feasibility inside the organization.

1.7 Schedule of INTRA.

Working Days : Monday to Sunday

Working Hours : 8 am to 5:00 pm

Rest time : 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

: 12.30 to 2:30 pm (Friday only)

5
 CHAPTER II

PRESENTATION OF PETRONAS CHEMICAL MTBE

2.1 Company profile

2.1.1 Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)

Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) is one of the Malaysia’s national

petroleum corporation which had been established on 17th August 1974. As the
government linked company (GLC), PETRONAS had been invested in with the entire
oil and gas resources in Malaysia and is entrusted with the responsibility of developing
and adding value to these resources. Hence, because of the major oil crisis in early 70s,
the Malaysia government had been established PETRONAS to manage the country’s
oil resources in September 1974. Their origins were modest with a small office in
Kuala Lumpur and handful employees.

28 years later, they manage to enlist itself consistently in Fortune 500 as one
of the most profitable oil companies in the world with international operation in more
than 30 countries globally. Since its incorporation, PETRONAS has grown into an
integrated international oil and gas company with business interest in more than 30
countries.

6
 On March 2005, PETRONAS Group had been comprised 101 wholly owned
subsidiaries, 19 parties owned outfits and 57 associated companies. However, the
objective of the PETRONAS is to contribute to the well-being on the people and the
nation.

Figure 3: Petronas Chemical Group in Malaysia.

2.1.2 PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCGB)

Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) is one of the leading integrated

chemicals in Malaysia. On the other hand, PCG also one of the largest chemical
production in South East Asia. It operates a number of world class production sites,
which are fully integrated from the feedstock to downstream end-products.

Besides, PCG are involved in primarily in manufacturing, marketing and

selling a diversified range of chemical products, which are including olefins, polymers,
fertilisers, methanol and other basic chemicals and derivatives products with a total
combined production capacity of 12.8 million metric tonnes per annum (mtna). PCG
also had been listed on Main Market Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (Bursa
Malaysia). Then, PCG was established as a part of Petronas Group because of their

7
experience in the chemical industry which are almost three decades. This is to
maximise the value from Malaysia’s natural gas resources.

Figure 4: Petronas Chemicals around Malaysia.

There were a few OPU’s which had been governed under PETRONAS
Group Berhad (PCG) and wholly owned by PETRONAS as table below:

NO COMPANY STATE
1 PETRONAS Chemicals MTBE Sdn Bhd Pahang
2 PETRONAS Chemicals Marketing Sdn Bhd Kuala Lumpur
3 PETRONAS Chemicals Derivatives Sdn Bhd Terengganu
4 PETRONAS Chemicals Polyethylene Sdn Bhd Terengganu
5 PETRONAS Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd Labuan
6 PETRONAS Chemicals Glycols Sdn Bhd Terengganu
7 PETRONAS Chemicals Fertiliser Kedah Sdn Bhd Kedah
8 PETRONAS chemicals Fertiliser Sabah Sdn Bhd Sabah
9 Kertih Port Sdn Bhd Terengganu

8
2.2 Petronas Chemicals MTBE Sdn Bhd

PETRONAS Chemicals MTBE Sdn. Bhd is one of the PETRONAS Company

which are involved in the petrochemical business and also one of the Petronas
Chemicals Group (PCG) members. In this company, there are consist of two plants
that are operates continuously for the production which are the Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether (MTBE Plant) and Propane Dehydrogenation (PDH Plant). This company is
100% owned by the Malaysia’s petroleum company.

Figure 5: PC MTBE Plant flow chart.

2.3 History of company

In 1986, the history of MTBE and Polypropylene plants was started when
Neste and its partners had been started working on prefeasibility study on these two
plants. The decision of Petronas’s was to implement these projects was integrally tied
up with the gas utilization master plans who’s the main objective was to adding value
to Malaysia’s gas resources. As a new player in the Petrochemical Business, Petronas
realized that joint venture could played an important role in project implementation.
Due to these matters, Petronas was teaming up with Neste Oy (Finland) and Idemitsu
Petrochemical Co Ltd (Japan) where it provided the opportunity for the Malaysian to
be involved in the world leading technologies.
9
 On 14th July 1987, Petronas had signed a Letter of Intent and a Memorandum
of Understanding with Neste Oy and IPC. After almost two years of detailed in
feasibility studies, the joint ventures had agreed to sign the agreement on the 14th
February 1989. The two Project Management Teams (PMT) had been formed for the
MTBE/Propylene and Polypropylene project where it was looking into the project
implementation which was to provide the driving force. Petronas staff who were
formed the PMT’s was selected corps of engineers handpicked from the various
operating units. People like En.Zainal Abidin Hamzah, En. Hamdan Salleh, Tn. Hj.
Setu Hj. Sikin, En. Nur Iskandar Abdul Samad and Tn. Hj. Tajudin Ibrahim have had
an experience working in other PMT’s and in the procession plants.

In 1990, En. Abu Zarim Malik was appointed as a General Manager at

MMSB/PPSMB and his primary roles were to provide the leadership for the PMT’s
and managing the projects. After that, the Pahang State began site preparations for the
two projects in June 1990. The key engineering design assignments for the dock, jetty
vessels were completed by early 1991. Then, in the mid 1991 the construction
activities had been reached its peak with more than 4,500 construction employees was
working on the site.

By December 1991, the first batch of people was assigned to the projects began
to arrive on the site and in early 1992, the project was about 80% completed and it had
been followed for the training of the operators in anticipation of start-up and
commissioning. On 14th November 1992, there were a major milestone was reached
with the first production of the polypropylene. The initial acceptance of the plant was
achieved on the early of December which on 10th December 1992.

In December 1992, the MTBE plant was tested and successfully commissioned
with cargo of 5.421 tonnes of methanol from PETRONAS Methanol Labuan (PML).
The first production of MTBE was on 27th December 1992 and the historic day of
MTBE was marked on 18th January 1993 where it was the Malaysian’s first export of

10
2,700 tonnes MTBE that had been shipped from Kuantan Port to Singapore. Besides
that, to honour the historic day, the late Tan Sri Datuk Azizan Zainul Abidin which
was the PETRONAS President was opened the valve of the storage tank at the MTBE
port storage to officiate the event. During the ceremony, it was witnessed by the invited
guests which including the representatives of the joint venture partners.

In addition, on 25th November 1993 the MMSB/PPMSB was marked another

historic day when it is officially launched by the Prime Minister of Malaysia which
was Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. In the year of 2001, MMSB was marked a new
milestone with the commissioning of the new plant, the Propane Dehydrogenation
Plant or in short was PDH plant. Lastly, the first production of PDH plant was on 15th
May 2001 and the initial acceptance was on 30th September 2001.

2.4 Vision and mission

In an organization, vision and mission is one of the important roles to express their
strategy development and measurable goals of the company. The vision for this plant
is 105 beyond 455. Where 105 is the CU and 455 is the operation day. The mission
for this plant is PC MTBE raising the Bar.

2.5 Company Corporate Logo

This part shows the corporate logo that were used in PETRONAS Chemicals MTBE
and PETRONAS Chemicals Group Logo:

11
 Figure 6: PC MTBE Plant logo.

Figure 7:PETRONAS Chemical Group logo.

2.6 Company Organizational Chart

Organizational Chart or “Org Chart” is a diagram that displays a reporting or

relationship hierarchy. Usually, the Org Chart is most frequent application to show the
structured of a business, government or other organization. It has a variety of uses and
also can be structured in many different ways for an example it can used as a
management tools for planning purposes or as a personal directory.

12
 Fundamentally, there are a lot of benefits by using the organizational chart such
as it can helps to build and design the organization structure to meet the business
objective. Other than that, it also shows a relationship between the organization’s staff
members and make everyone clear within their organizations and improve the
performance of the employee. In this part, it will explain about the organization chart
for the MTBE plant department and also the other sections.

2.6.1 MTBE Plant Department.

In the MTBE Plant Department, which is the operation team, at the figure 8, it
shows that the head manager for the operation team is Mr. Alfa Bin Abdul Razak
while, there are divided into three section in MTBE department which are (OE),
Oleflex,M,Butamer (OMB) and offsite, utilities and marine (OUM). The head of the
OE section is Mdm. Fazian Binti Mat Zamber while for the OMB department the head
of the department is Shahrul Amin Junoh @ Yunus. The last section in the operation
team is OUM section which is the manager of this department is Wan Mohd Suhaimi
Bin Wan Mat. In this MTBE plant, the trainee had been assigned in an Offsite, Utilities
and Marine which is the organizational chart as shown in figure 9.

Figure 8: MTBE Plant Department Chart,

13
2.6.2 MTBE Plant Department (OMB Section).

2.6.3 MTBE Plant Department (OE Section).

2.6.4 MTBE Plant Department (Offsite, Utilities and Marine Section).

14
2.7 Nature of Company’s Business/Activities

PETRONAS group was started at a wide spectrum of Petroleum activities

which including upstream exploring things and production of oil and gas to
downstream oil refining, marketing and distribution of petroleum products. Hence,
together with its subsidiaries and associated companies, PETRONAS had been fully
integrated in oil and gas operations. The main business of the company is focus more
on oil and gas products and engineering services and also providing community
developments programs.

15
 Figure 9: PETRONAS Upstream and Downstream.

There are two core business that were manage in PETRONAS which are
upstream business and downstream business. The upstream business is engaged in
exploring, developing and producing oil and gas resources for domestically and
internationally. There were more than 250 producing field with over 400 platforms
that had been running in this company due to their capabilities and reputable
operatorship all over the world. Besides that, it is fully integrated business which they
are covering a broad portfolio of resources and played types in more than 20 countries.

On the other hand, for the downstream sector it comprised a multiple business
and played a strategic role in enhancing a value to molecules through an integrated
operation, the foundation of being operationally and commercially excellent. The most
of the activities that had been done in the downstream business are including the
refining, trading, and marketing crude oil and petroleum products. Besides, it also
manufactures and marketing their petrochemical products for local and international
consumption. The facilities that are include in PETRONAS company which it
16
contained of 3 refineries, 11 blending plant, 18 petrochemical manufacturing plant and
two integrated complexes. PETRONAS also have a gas infrastructure and utilities
which involving the gas processing and utilities and also the gas transmission and
regasification.

Figure 10: PETRONAS Business.

PETRONAS has been participated in various business activities which are

including the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas in
Malaysia and oversea, Liquefaction, sale and transportation of LNG (Liquified Natural
Gas), Processing and transmission of natural gas and the sale of natural gas products.
Next, the other business activities that involved are the processing and transmission of
natural gas and the sake of natural gas product.

Besides that, it also involved in refining and marketing of petroleum products,

manufacture and sale of petrochemical products, trading of crude oil, petroleum
products and petrochemicals products and shipping and logistic relating to LNG, crude
oil and petroleum product. PETRONAS has been faced in major integrated business
which are exploration and production, downstream (oil and petrochemicals), gas
power, logistics and maritime, Technology and engineering and Company’s product.
Since this plant had been applied in the system of “dual feed dual product”, the main

17
product that are produced from this plant are Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether which is also
known as MTBE, (CH3)3COCH3 as well as Propylene (C3H6).

2.7.1 Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is a volatile organic compound (VOC)

that are often added to the gasoline to reduce the air pollution. MTBE is commonly
known as an “oxygenates” that are added into gasoline to increase the octane number
and reduce carbon monoxide emissions. Hence, it also relatively a volatile chemical
and is moderately soluble in water. It is very soluble in some organic solvents such as
alcohol and ether. Besides that, it also can be an oil refiner where the MTBE is blend
with the gasoline to meet the requirements for oxygenates fuels. The gasoline that are
contained with MTBE can become a recognizable by its pungent odour. It also
flammable and moderate in fire risk (Identity, 2002). Based on the table 1 below, it
shows about the physical and chemical properties for MTBE:

Table 1: Chemical identity of MTBE (Ancillotti et al., 1982)

CHARACTERISTICS INFORMATION
Chemical Name Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
Synonyms Tert- Butyl methyl ether;
2-metoxy-2-methylpropane;
MTBE; methyl t-butyl ether
Chemical formula C5H12O
Chemical Structure

Chemical Formula C5H12O

Molecular weight
88.2

18
 Physical state Colorless liquid with
characteristic terpene-like odor
Vapor pressure 245 mm Hg @ 25℃
Density (Water = 1 g/m3) 0.74 g/m3
Specific Gravity 0.74 g/m3
Solubility (in water) 4.8 g/100ml at 200℃
Melting point -109 ℃
Boiling point 55℃
Flash point -28℃
Explosive limits (air, vol%) LEL = -1.6%
UEL = - 8.4%
Conversion Factors 1 mg/m3 = 0.28 ppm
3.61 mg/m3 = 1 ppm

Besides that, it is not a toxic substance and also not injurious to health.
MTBE is a toxicological behaviour when taken orally, absorbed by the skin or
inhaled and it is largely similar to the effects of lead-free gasoline. This statement
had been consistent based on the journal with the conclusion that MTBE are found
only in an animal that have been exposed to concentrations that exceed the MTD and
orders of magnitude that are greater than the doses to which human are exposed.
Furthermore, the proliferative changes in response to toxic doses of MTBE are
mediated through nongenetic mechanisms precipitated by cytotoxicity. Due to the
intense and offensive odour of MTBE, humans will not tolerate either air or water
concentrations sufficiently high to produce the cytotoxicity that required to promote
cellular proliferation. Hence, the carcinogenic hazard of MTBE has been define
where the human health risk will appears to be so small that is essentially non-
existent (Mennear, 1997).

19
2.7.2 Propylene (Propene)

Propylene (C3H6) or also known as propene in IUPAC (International Union of

Pure and Applied Chemistry) nomenclature, is the second most important starting
product in the petrochemical industry after ethylene. It is one of the raw materials for
a variety of products. It is one of the chemicals that has the characteristics of non-
corrosive, non-toxic and colourless gas with little odour. On the other hand, it also
able to produce a different kind of production by introducing the different types of
technology. In this company, it supplies propylene as a feedstock to the
Petronas/BASF acrylic acid/acrylic esters plants and oxo-alcohols complex.

Table 2: Characteristic of Propylene.

CHARACTERISTICS INFORMATION
Chemical Name Propylene
Chemical formula C3H6
Chemical Structure

Molecular weight (Ib/mol)

42.08
Critical Temp. (℉)
197.5

Critical Pressure (psia) 666.3

Boiling point (℉) -53.8
Melting Point (℉) -301.4
Liquid Density 31.92
Gas Density 0.1105
Specific Volume 9.05
Specific Gravity 1.501
Specific Heat 15.56

20
 On the other hand, the other side product that are produce at MTBE plant are
Pentane (C5H12), Benzene (C6H6), Toluene (C7H8) and Xylene (C8H10). These
chemicals are known as heavies as the number of carbons that are contains in the
substance are more than five. This company will sell these heavies to the other
petrochemicals companies who have demands on it.

21
 CHAPTER III

Report on Job/Task/Assignment/Project

3.1 MTBE Production Process Description

The MTBE plant at Kuantan is the first world scale plant of its kind and the
first in the region to use a combined feed of Butane and Propane to simultaneously
produce MTBE and Propylene through the Oleflex Technology. In addition, theses
MTBE is produced by using the field of Butane piped from PETRONAS Gas Sdn.
Bhd from Kerteh and Methanol from PETRONAS Methanol Sdn. Bhd which the
location is at the Labuan.

In this MTBE plant, it consists of several process units licensed by UOP and
IFP:

Table 3: Process of UOP and IFP.

UOP IFP
Deisobutaniser Etherification, MTBE
Isomerisation Butamer Methanol Recovery, MRU
Dehydrogenation Oleflex Oxygenates Removal, ORU
Complete Saturation, CSP

22
 Figure 11: Process Diagram of MTBE.

The Deisobutaniser is a distillation column where it separates the isobutanes

from a normal butane and mixture of pentanes that are present in the feed. At the
Oleflex Dehydrogenation Unit, this unit is the most complex and expensive part in the
plant. At the Dehydrogenation unit, isobutene and propane are fed simultaneously into
three reactors that are connected in a series which operates at the temperature that are
close to 650℃. In this process, one of the molecules of each of the isobutene and
hydrogen is removed in presence of a platinum-based catalyst. This process will
convert the isobutene into isobutylene and same goes to the removal of one hydrogen
molecules that are from propane where its converts into propylene.

When the isobutylene is formed, it then fed into the MTBE Etherification Unit
while the Propylene is fed into the adjacent polypropylene plant. At the MTBE
Etherification units, the liquid mixture of isobutylene and isobutene that are came from
the Dehydrogenation Unit will reacted with methanol in a catalyst bed to form a MTBE
by using etherification reaction. The mixture then flows onto a finishing reactor where
for the remainder of the isobutylene is then separated from the raffinate.

23
 On the other hand, at the Methanol Recovery Units as its name implies to
removes any oxygenate compound from the raffinate stream before recycled to the
Isomerization Unit. Then, the raffinates which is the isobutene together with some of
the isobutylene are fed into a Complete Saturation Unit where the isobutylene is
hydrogenated into isobutene before recycled in the Deisobutaniser. At this liquid phase
process, Palladium-based catalyst are use.

3.2 Trainee’s involvement during internship

3.2.1 Activity 1: Safety Briefing

During the second day of the internship, a safety briefing session was
conducted by Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Department at the Emergency
Response Center, PC MTBE. This safety briefing is for all the new trainee, staff, as
well as the contractor. This safety briefing is compulsory for each worker in order to
be well versed on the safety in the plant and also receiving their working passport
where it will give an excess to enter the plant. Hence, there were a few inputs that had
been shared during those briefing for an example the introduction about the MTBE,
the ZETO rules, mandatory Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as the types
of sirens in the plant.

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is a flammable, colorless and had a low
viscous liquid where the function is to replace the plumbum where it acts as an octane
booster in order to reduce soot and Carbon Monoxide (CO) production. The Personnel
Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for all the individuals while entering the
plant area such as safety helmets, safety boots, safety googles, earplug and fire-
retardant clothes. In addition, there were a few extra PPE such as the inspected
hardness where it must be worn when the individuals need to be work at the height of
2m above the ground.

24
3.2.3 Activity 2: Prepared Equipment Joint Isolation Sheet (EJIS) for PC
MTBE Plant Turnaround 2020.

The task had prepared Equipment Joint Isolation Sheet (EJIS) for PC MTBE
Plant Turnaround 2020 with the guidance of the staff and team leader. The EJIS had
been done for a few equipment isolations which is the flare tie, heater and etc. By
doing this task, the trainee had learned how to do the isolation for the particular work
and can understand more about the P&ID diagram.

Figure 12: E_JIS and P&ID Diagram.

25
3.2.3 Activity 3: Sample collection routine at area 600

Sampling activities is a routine job that had been done for the operator. All the
gas and the liquid sample will be extracted into the sampling cylinders or a sampling
bomb provided which also a safe containment for storage and it will then transport to
the laboratory for the analysis by using gas chromatography. The sample bomb also
known as high-pressure sample cylinder or pressurized sample container. On the other
hand, it is a receptacle used for storage and transportation of a sample that are obtained
at the pressure above atmospheric pressure.

The objectives of the sampling routine are to ensure that the sample are taken
correctly to monitor and control the plant operating parameter in order to produce an
on-spec product. In addition, the samples that had been collected at the area will then
analyzed in the laboratory and reported back to the Shift Executive for the further
actions. Next, the sample are taken accordingly to analytical schedule or to resample
if deemed necessary.

3.2.4 Activity 4: Do a lab test for industrial effluent treatment system (IETS)
and wastewater treatment.

This activity had been done every Thursday. The water sample had been
collected at the sump from all the production area, aeration pond, and the incinerator.
Then the sample is sent to the wastewater lab to measure the turbidity in the water.
Next, the trainee also learned how to measure the silica, conductivity, total iron, total
phosphate and turbidity for the boiler, cooling water return, Demin water and
condensate return by using DR1200. During the lab, the value that had been taken
must in a range between the value that had been record in the analysis report. If the
value was not in the range, the sample need to be trace to ensure that the water used
was in a good quality.

26
27
3.2.5 Activity 5: Labelling project.

Labelling project is the first project that had been given from the supervisors.
This project is to redo the label that had been placed at each of the utility point from
all the utilities area which were 400 and 600. The trainee had able to finished this
project within 2 days with help form the executive and the operator. During this project
was run, the trainee needs to filled the utility point survey to update the condition for
all of the utilities point area. This project was to ensure that all the utility point was in
a good condition. The utility point was consisting with nitrogen line, steam line,
hydrogen line and also Demin water.

3.2.6 Activity 6: Replacing the soda ash at tank T-1402 with the Demin water.

The trainee had been managed to follow the project where the tank T-1402 at
area 400 need to be opened to change from the soda ash to the Demin Water. This tank
was usually shared with a different type of feed which were the soda ash and the Demin
water. In this project, the contractor and the operator had removed the Soda Ash from
the tank T-1402 before inserted the Demin water. Then, there were several valves was
blinded to ensure there is no flow entered during the unloading processes. Once the
unloading process had been done, it started to fill in the tank with the Demin water.

28
3.2.7 Activity 8: Rerouting off-spec MTBE project by using Pentane loading
bay facility

3.2.7.1 Introduction

Previously, the off-spec MTBE was generated during the incident of high
inventory which are during the start-up or shutdown. The off-spec from MTBE unit
was transferred into the rundown tanks (T-1601 A/B/C) before transferred to the iso-
tank vacuum truck. Unfortunately, there were an incident happened during the tr

3.2.7.2 Objectives

• To make a route for the off-spec MTBE product during the start-up/shutdown
by using the pentane loading bay facility

• To eliminate the transferring process to the vacuum truck from the rundown
tank.

3.2.7.3 Methodology

- Clear line

- Nitrogen purging (piston purge)

- Swing blind and remove mixing nozzle

- Leak test

- Line up C5 into the piping

3.2.7.4 Result and discussion

3.2.7.5 Conclusion and recommendation

29
1. he project was continue with checking the level exposure limit (LEL) which is
to ensure the value LEL was below 10% by using gas detector

2. Perform a leaking testing for the valve that had been swung

3. The project was continued with the checking the line to make sure there was
no passing at the valve that had been swung

4. Unfortunately, at the check valve there was a passing and need to be replace

5. The project was continued on 26th November for the replacing the valve

6. ent to the area 600 to trace line for the piping line that are used in this project
to understand more about the project

7. Discuss about the the valve that are need to closed or open, where to swing the
blind for the purging of nitrogen process

3.2.8 Activity 9: Non-Technical task during Internship

3.2.8.1 CEO engagement

drfefe

30
3.2.8.2 Networking Golf Event

3.2.8.2 Qaseh day

dsdsd

3.2.8.3 Mega Housekeeping and HSE Campaign.

31
3.2 Gantt Chart

During the period of the internship, the trainee had involved in a various
type of activities in the MTBE Plant Department. The trainee also had given a task
including the technical and also a non-technical task. Based on the gantt chart below,
it shows about the schedule for the trainee’s activity during their six-month internship
period:

32
 Gantt Chart

Activity July August September October November December

Safety briefing by HSE Department
Learn overview about the MTBE plant
Safety Walkabout
Toolbox talk
Plant visit
Wastewater treatment
Sample collection routine
HAZOP meeting with TSD
Labelling Project at utilities area (A400&A600)
Prepared EJIS for PC MTBE Plant
RA meeting
Ventilation review
Preparing Document for Turnaround 2020
(Utilities Area)
Project Rerouting off-spec MTBE
Qaseh day
EBC competition
Lecturer visit (Presentation)

33
Mega Housekeeping and HSE Campaign
Industrial Training Report

34
 CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION

By choosing a PETRONAS CHEMICALS MTBE as the host company for the

industrial is undoubtedly one of the best decisions that had been made. The trainee had
managed to fulfill all the objective of the internship during the period of the internship.
Hence, the trainee also learned and experienced the working life and culture in a
petrochemical plant. Besides that, the trainee had been able to have a head start in planning
a career’s path after the graduation. There were a lot of skills, knowledge as well as the
experience that had been gained during this internship period.

On the other hand, the trainee has been exposed with the working environment
together with the manager, operation engineers as well as the operator and the other staffs.
The trainee was able to practice ethical and professional work culture when they were
surrounded by the different peoples to shared their optimism and enthusiasm. In order to
excel in the sector of Oil and Gas industry, having a great working environment and
culture were really does effect one’s job satisfaction and performance where it managed
to sharpen the adaptability and communications skills throughout the industrial training.
During this internship period also, the trainee had been able to grab as much inputs and
experience which were beneficial for the future life. As a conclusion, having an internship
programmed is one the beneficial for the student in order to show what have they learned
throughout their study as well as they can adapt the working environment for their future.
Lastly, a big thankful to everyone that had been involved during this period time of
internship directly or indirectly and also a lot of appreciations for PCMTBE for giving the
chances of doing industrial training programmed with them.

35
 CHAPTER V

RECOMMENDATION

In spite of the report has accomplished all its purpose, the INTRA program can be
enhance more in diversity element. There are several suggestions that shall be taken into
consideration as it can improve this INTRA programmed for future development. The
trainee shall be ready mentally and physically to face any challenges when they had a task
since the environment of the industry required hands-on work. Next, passionate in asking
is also one of the essential keys to begin as it will lead the future graduate in taking the
nest step in career development. Market demand identification and career path scenario
can be obtained by seeking superior advice to have a better understanding about the true
world of industry.

It is highly recommended that the student always in the modest mode for seeking
a knowledge and being humble as well as always being helpful especially in making
engagement with the other party. On top of that, the trainee shall work independently and
has a strong communication skill in order to liaise with any company. Lastly, the future
graduate shall well prepared for the worse case of scenario in which backup plan of work
done is crucial as it reflects an individual credibility. If the enhancement applied, the future
INTRA development shall be more advance and the beyond prediction as it may reach the
new possible outcome that the trainee can be evolved in the perspective of knowledge,
soft skills, experienced for the upcoming hereafter generation.

36
 REFERENCES

Ancillotti, F., Oriani, G., Pescarollo, E., Arakawa, S., Araki, M., Okamura, M., …
Woodhouse, J. C. (1982). Production of methyl tertiary butyl ether from
isobutylene, 5. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2013-306573.216

http://www.airproducts.com/Products/Gases/gas-facts/physical-properties/physical-
properties-propylene.aspx

Identity, C. (2002). 4 . Chemical and Physical Information, 163–170.

Mennear, J. H. (1997). Carcinogenicity studies on MTBE: Critical review and

interpretation. Risk Analysis, 17(6), 673–681. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-
6924.1997.tb01274.x

Our Business. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.petronasgas.com/OurBusiness/Pages/default.aspx

PETRONAS GLOBAL. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.petronas.com/our-

business/downstream

Wahyu, T. (2014, January 18). Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS). Retrieved

from https://corporationprofile.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/petroliam-nasional-
berhad-petronas/

37