THE REFINING PROCESS
Crude Oil comprises of Carbon and Hydrogen molecules in complex chains. In addition, impurities like Sulphur, Nitrogen and Metals are also present in the Crude. They are classified as Paraffinic, Naphthenic or Aromatic Crudes depending on their composition.
The Refinery processes are classified into:
- Primary Processing Units
- Secondary Processing Units
- Treating Units
Primary Processing Unit
The Crude Unit is the Primary Processing Unit in an Oil Refinery where in Crude Oil is separated into various products depending on the relative volatility of the Hydrocarbon components.
Secondary Processing Unit
Secondary Processing Units receive feedstock from the Crude Unit and upgrade it to value added products. The main Secondary Processing Units in MRPL are:
- Hydrocracker Unit
- Continuous Catalytic Regeneration Platforming Unit
- Isomerisation Unit
- Petro Fluidised Catalytic Cracking Unit
- Delayed Coker Unit
- Visbreaker Unit
- Bitumen Unit
Treating Unit
These processes add value to the products from the Refinery and thereby increase profitability. Treating Units play an important role in removing impurities like Sulphur, Nitrogen and Metals from the products thereby meeting the stipulated product specifications. The important Treating Units in MRPL are:
- LPG/Naphtha/Kerosene Merox Unit
- Gas Oil Hydro-Desulphurisation Unit
- Diesel Hydrotreater Unit
- Coker Gas-oil Hydro-Treating Unit
- FCC Gasoline Treatment Unit
- Sulphur Recovery Unit