Petroleum Refining in Nontechnical Language

This book is designed to give the reader an overview of key refining topics by using relevant analogies, easy-to-understand graphs, formulas, and illustrations. New to this edition is important information on the nature of crude oil and raw materials and a comprehensive discussion on what sets crude oil and oil products price differentials. Also new is a chapter on lubricants as well as the latest technologies employed by refiners. Each chapter was carefully written in nontechnical language to give the reader a basic understanding of the refining industry. The book can be used for self-study, as a classroom textbook, or as a quick reference.
Content:
• Front Matter
• List of Illustrations
• Preface
• Table of Contents
• 1. The Evolution of Petroleum Refining
2. From the Oil Patch to the Refinery
3. Crude Oil Characteristics
4. Distilling
5. Vacuum Flashing
6. The Chemistry of Petroleum
7. Refinery Gas Plants
8. Cat Cracking
9. Alkylation
10. Catalytic Reforming
11. Hydrocracking
12. Isomerization
13. Residue Reduction
14. Gasoline
15. Distillate and Residual Fuels
16. Hydrogen, Hydrotreating, and Sulfur Plants
17. Asphalt
18. Lubricants
19. Ethylene Plants
20. Simple and Complex Refineries
21. Solvent Recovery of Aromatics
22. Fuel Values - Heating Values
• 23. Answers and Solutions
• Glossary
Index