Calculation of Crude Oil Processes Using Simplified Model Mixture

This paper presents the modeling of the existing crude oil separation process in a system consisting of two rectification columns with side drafts operating at higher pressure. The composition of the crude oil was approximated by a model mixture of hydrocarbons. The installation calculations have been performed for two different model compositions containing 32 and 10 different hydrocarbons. The whole technological process was based on the assumption that the feed stream, containing a model crude oil, was introduced to the first column, and then the other expected products (different petroleum fractions), characterized by their respective boiling points, were collected (side drafts) from the appropriate trays of the distillation columns. The obtained calculation results for both of the model crude oils were compared with the results obtained in the existing petroleum process and discussed from the point of view of their practical applications. The detailed data concerning size, composition, and process parameters for all the streams of the investigated installations, as well as the necessary energy expenditure for each of the columns, have been determined. Moreover, some recommendations are presented for the modeling and optimization of industrial distillation processes of very complex, multi-component systems using simpler model compositions.