Petroleum Refinery: An Overview

In the past, crude oil was refined through the simple process of distillation; generating a lot of waste products. As technology improved, the processes have become more complicated at the same time more user/environment friendly, says Akash Protim Barua.

About Crude Oil
Crude oil is a complex mixture containing different hydrocarbon compounds. It is the single input for all refinery products. Crude oil constitutes about 93% of refinery “Input Cost”. Crude oil composition, appearance and properties vary widely from field to field.

Characterisation
* “Sweet” (Low sulphur content) and “Sour” (High sulphur content) crude.
* API Gravity
* Paraffin, Naphthenic, Aromatic
* Distillate yield, quality of products
* Bituminous, lube bearing
* Impurities: Metals, acids, salts etc.

Indigenous Crude
Total Production (2002-03) was 29.15 mmtpa.
Mumbai High---------------- 14.5 mmtpa
Assam------------------------- 5.4 mmtpa
Gujarat------------------------- 5.9 mmtpa

All indigenous crude is sweet. There is no lube/bitumen potential. The indigenous crude meets about 30% of domestic demand.


Imported Crude
* Sour Crude’s - Arab Mix, Kuwait, Upper Zhakum, Basra Lt, Dubai, Suez Mix
* Sweet Crude’s - Bonny Light, Escravos, Fracados, Essider, Labuan, Miri light

cont....

To Read Further Subscribe Your PRINT COPY Today.