Refinery

Abstract: A significant amount of the light olefins produced during the refining of crude oil is used as refinery fuel. As natural gas supplies in North America decline, the need to conserve and recover these olefins will become critical. Cost-effective separation technologies will be required that can withstand the harsh operating environment of a petroleum refinery. In addition to traditional refinery and olefin plant applications, paraffin dehydrogenation units for the production of olefins from natural gas liquids (NGL) have recently been brought on stream. Recent federal regulations mandate that hydrocarbon emissions from refineries and chemical plants be reduced to low levels. To reduce the economic penalty of environmental compliance, low-cost hydrocarbon separation technologies are required. For streams containing a mixture of paraffinic and olefinic material, economic and process considerations may dictate that the olefin be recovered and recycled. A review of traditional and nontraditional technologies for the separation of light olefins and paraffins is presented. The technologies addressed range from conventional low-temperature distillation to chemical complexation using copper and silver ions.

Abstract: Within the present contribution we highlight the feasibility of standard refinery units for the production of biofuels from different biomass-derived feedstock. The energy densification of biomass, as well as it’s logistics and incorporation within the refinery supply chain is thoroughly discussed. Likewise, special attention is focused on the catalytic cracking and hydrotreating of triglyceride-rich biomass feedstock, which is probably the most suitable one for co-processing in conventional refinery conversion units. However, the opportunities of other highly oxygenated feedstocks such as pyrolysis oils and sugars are also discussed. Conversion of different feedstocks into conventional liquid fuels by coupling of aqueous phase reforming (APR) with catalytic systems typical of standard petroleum refineries is also evaluated. Thus, here we review the chemistry, catalysis and challenges involved in the production of biofuels from biomass in conventional refineries.