Refining Basics

Topic I: What Is Crude Oil? – Define the following terms: crude oil, specific gravity, API gravity, paraffinic crude, and asphaltic crude. – Explain the difference between a sweet crude and a sour crude. Topic II: Hydrocarbons – Define the term “hydrocarbon.” – Given the name of a hydrocarbon, state the number and the arrangement of carbon atoms. – Define the following terms: paraffin, olefin, naphthene, and aromatic. Topic III: Crude Oil Distillation – Explain the function of a crude oil distillation unit. – List, from lightest to heaviest, typical fractions from a crude oil distillation unit. Topic IV: Gases, SR Gasoline, Naphtha, and Kerosene Processing – Explain how gases, SR gasoline, naphtha, and kerosene from the crude unit are typically processed in a refinery. – List typical products from a gas plant, a catalytic reformer, and the processing of kerosene. Topic V: Gas Oils Processing – Explain how gas oils are typically processed in a refinery. – List typical products from a fluid catalytic cracker unit, an isomerization unit, and an alkylation unit. Topic VI: Residuum Processing – Explain how residuum is typically processed in a refinery. – List typical products from a vacuum unit, a deasphalting unit, and a coking unit. Topic VII: Motor Fuel Blending – Define, in general terms, the concept of octane rating. – Describe how motor fuels are blended. – Explain the effects of vapor pressure on motor fuel blending.