Refining and Petrochemical Innovation

Recommended Prerequisites

Process Modeling and Supervision; Advanced Separation Processes; Energy and Biofuels; Polymer Science and Technology; Optimization of Processes and Operations; Process Improvement and Management;

Teaching Methods

During theoretical classes, the fundamental concepts are introduced, to motivate the students to the relevance of the issues considered, in the ambit of their professional mission. This approach is complemented with the presentation of practical cases. In the hours reserved for tutorial interaction this interaction is increased, in the context of more concrete applications, to support the students in the realization of taks with pre-defined objectives. Visits to industrial sites are also considered, together with the participation of external experts, in invited lectures.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge of the main processes and operations in the exploration of natural gas and oil, from the extraction and refining, to the downstream processing in the main segments of the petrochemical industry. Knowledge of fundamental methods of characterization of the main fractions of oil, and estimate of thermophysical properties, oriented towards the simulation and optimization of these processes. Knowledge of the state of the art relative to alternative process technologies. Development of analysis capabilities of these processes, and indentification of opportunities for improvement and optimization of these processes. Experience of project development in processual and environmental improvement, through the solution of focused case-studies. 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. Exploration, refining and petrochemical industries:

1. Petroleum, gas and petrochemical industries: history and perspective.

2. (Introduction to) the exploration of petroleum and natural gas.

3. (Introduction to) the refining industry.

4. Characterization of petroleum fractions, gas and petrochemical products.

5. (Introduction to) the petrochemical industry.

II. Processual and environmental innovation:

1. Innovation in the exploration of petroleum and gas. On-site and off-site processing.

2. Innovation in the refining industry. Efficiency indexes for quantification of process performance.

3. Innovation in the petrochemical industry. Process intensification.

III. Application case-studies.

Head Lecturer(s)

Abel Gomes Martins Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 50.0%
Project: 50.0%

Bibliography

J.R Fanchi, R.L. Christiansen, Introduction to Petroleum Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, 2017.

F. Jahn, M. Cook,M. Graham, Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production, 2nd Ed., Elsevier, 2008.

J.G. Speight, Handbook of Petroleum Product Analysis, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2015.

J.G. Speight, Handbook of Petroleum Refining, CRC Press, 2017.

J.G. Speight, Handbook of Petrochemical Processes, CRC Press, 2019.

J.H. Gary, G.E. Handwerk, M.J. Kaiser, Petroleum Refining: Technology and Economics, 5th Ed., CRC Press, 2007.

U.R. Chaudhuri, Fundamentals of Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering, CRC Press, 2011.

X.X. Zhu, J.A. Johnson, D.W. Ablin, G.A. Ernst, Efficient Petrochemical Processes. Technology, Design and Operations, John Wiley & Sons, 2020.

M.R. Islam, A.B. Chhetri, M.M. Khan, Green Petroleum: How Oil and Gas Can Be Environmentally Sustainable, John Wiley & Sons, 2012.

S. Orszulik, Ed., Environmental Technology in the Oil Industry, 3rd Ed., Springer International Publishing, 2016.