Petroleum processing is a technology in processing crude oil into fuel oil and gas products. This lecture provides an understanding of the characteristics, physical and chemical properties of hydrocarbons, as well as the processes of processing crude oil and natural gas into fuel products. It is expected that after taking this lecture, students will be able to apply the concepts of thermodynamics, Mass and Energy Balance, and Mass Transfer in the petroleum processing process. The learning method used is a combination of lectures and independent/group assignments with the collaborative learning (CL) method. The implementation of lectures also involves practitioners who are experienced in the oil and gas sector to enrich students’ insights and understanding.

• Explain the characteristics of petroleum and its refined products.
• Describe the stages of the process in various petroleum processing technologies.

• Introduction to Terminology

  • Key terms and definitions in petroleum and petrochemical industries
  • Overview of the petroleum refining process and its importance in energy production and chemical manufacturing

• Oil Composition

  • Understanding the components of crude oil: hydrocarbons, sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and trace elements
  • Classification of crude oils based on API gravity, sulfur content, and other characteristics

• Thermal Properties of Petroleum

  • Analysis of thermal properties of petroleum, such as boiling point, flash point, and viscosity
  • Impact of temperature on petroleum extraction, refining, and processing

• Chemical Processing of Petroleum

  • Overview of the chemical processes involved in petroleum refining
  • Importance of chemical processing in converting crude oil into valuable products

• Distillation

  • Introduction to distillation as a separation technique in petroleum refining
  • Types of distillation: atmospheric, vacuum, and fractional distillation
  • Role of distillation in separating crude oil into fractions such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and fuel oils

• Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation

  • Hydrogenation process: adding hydrogen to unsaturated hydrocarbons to form saturated products
  • Dehydrogenation: removal of hydrogen to form unsaturated hydrocarbons (e.g., production of olefins)
  • Applications of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation in the production of fuels and chemicals

• Cracking Processes

  • Overview of cracking: breaking larger hydrocarbons into smaller molecules
  • Types of cracking: thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, and hydrocracking
  • Significance of cracking in producing high-value products such as gasoline and petrochemical feedstocks

• Processes of Reforming

  • Catalytic reforming: converting naphtha into high-octane gasoline and aromatics
  • The role of reforming in enhancing fuel quality and producing valuable chemical intermediates
  • Types of reforming processes: thermal reforming and catalytic reforming

• Gas Processing and Petroleum Light Products

  • Gas processing: removal of impurities (e.g., sulfur, CO₂) from natural gas and oil
  • Production and refining of light petroleum products such as LPG, gasoline, and jet fuel
  • Applications of petroleum light products in energy and chemical industries

• Product Improvement

  • Techniques for improving the quality of petroleum products: refining, blending, and additives
  • Innovations in product improvement: cleaner fuels, higher octane ratings, and enhanced engine performance

1. James G. Speight, The Chemistry and Technology of Petroleum, 5th ed., CRC Press, 2014.
2. Mark J. Kaiser, Arno de Klerk, James H. Gary, & Glenn E. Handwerk, Petroleum Refining: Technology, Economics, and Markets, 6th ed., CRC Press, 2019.
3. D. S. J. Jones, Elements of Petroleum Processing, John Wiley & Sons.