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 of this source of hydrocarbons accounted for more than 50% of the total production of organic compounds, approximately 1/3 of the production of the entire chemical industry.
Purpose of production
Why are oil refining and petrochemical enterprises carried out? What is its scope? Let us dwell on these important issues for our country in more detail. Among the main development trends, the following points can be distinguished:
- increasing the capacity of installations;
- improving raw material savings;
- reducing energy costs through recovery;
- use of new raw materials.
In terms of scale, oil refining and petrochemistry ranks 19th in the world. Its purpose is to manufacture various types of fuel (aviation, automotive), as well as raw materials for phased chemical synthesis.
Recycling processes
Refining and petrochemicals in primary refining is not associated with chemical changes. Only the physical separation of this source of hydrocarbons into separate fractions is assumed.
At the preparatory stage, oil enters the plant, where it is cleaned from various mechanical impurities. Dissolved light hydrocarbons are removed from it, and then the oil is dehydrated at special installations (ELOU).
Atmospheric distillation
Oil refining and petrochemistry are based on this process. The mineral goes to distillation columns, where it is separated at atmospheric pressure into separate fractions: heavy and light gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and also into fuel oil. Since the products obtained during distillation do not meet the requirements established for petroleum products, subsequent (secondary) processing takes place.
Vacuum distillation
Technical school of petrochemistry and oil refining involves familiarization 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 products of petrochemical synthesis. As a product, tar is formed, which is used for the production of bitumen.
Secondary processes
They are designed to increase the amount of motor oils produced, associated with a change in the chemical composition of hydrocarbons. ATdepending on the direction, all secondary processes are divided into three types:
- deepening: thermal and catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, delayed coking, bitumen production;
- upgrading: hydrotreating, reforming, isomerization;
- other: alkylation, oil production, aromatics production
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 (gasoline), as well as the remainder - fuel oil.
Hydrocracking in excess of hydrogen splits hydrocarbon molecules. The product is diesel fuel.
Isomerization produces raw materials for chemical production: isopentane, isoprene, as well as high-octane components of motor gasoline.
Best practices
"Oil refining and petrochemistry" - a magazine published since 1966 monthly by "TsNIITEneftekhim". It is a collection of scientific articles that are devoted to various achievements, as well as the translation of advanced production experience. This printed publication is registered with the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Printing, has a registration certificate No. 016079 of 1997-07-05. The journal is included in the official list of VAK (List of the best scientific publications that are published in the country, where the main results of dissertations for the degree of Doctor of Science are presented).
Bit contains 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 related to topical problems of oil refining and petrochemistry.
The specialists of the industry are of particular interest to certain issues of the specialized publication, in the preparation of which (on contractual terms) the customer enterprises participate.
Specific training of specialists
In our country, there are many educational institutions that train specialists for the chemical industry. Thus, the Technical School of Petrochemistry and Oil Refining in Nizhnekamsk was specially created to train personnel for the Nizhnekamsk Petrochemical Plant of the Ministry of the Petrochemical and Oil Refining Industry of the country in 1964.
Currently, this educational institution trains operator operators for the production of inorganic substances, process compressor and pump operators, instrumentation and automation fitters, oil refining operators, locksmiths, welders, process compressor and pump operators, turners- generalists, laboratory assistants-analysts.
Summarize
Currently, oil has become the basis of the modern world economy. It is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without a variety of products obtained from such a mineral: gasoline, kerosene,petroleum jelly, plastics, organic solvents.
Oil consumption grew especially rapidly at the end of the last century. Today, 2/3 of all produced energy comes from gas and oil. In addition to the production of various organic compounds, oil has also been used by humans to treat certain skin diseases.
At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, internal combustion engines appeared, for which the main fuel is gasoline. 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 changed significantly in our country. Particular attention is paid to its complex processing, which allows optimal use of this valuable natural resource.
