Oil refineries utilize a variety of dry bulk materials in their processes, with catalyst and lime being among the most common.
Here's how they are utilized:
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Catalyst: Catalysts are crucial for facilitating and accelerating chemical reactions in refining processes. Different types of catalysts are used in various stages, such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and hydrotreating. In FCC, catalysts help break down heavier hydrocarbon molecules into lighter, more valuable products like gasoline and diesel. In hydrotreating, catalysts assist in removing impurities like sulfur and nitrogen from intermediate products.
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Lime: Lime is primarily used for neutralization purposes in refineries. It helps neutralize acidic byproducts and wastewater streams, ensuring environmental compliance and preventing corrosion in equipment.
In addition to catalyst and lime, other dry bulk materials commonly used in oil refineries include:
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Alumina: Used as a support material for catalysts or as an adsorbent for removing impurities.
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Clay: Used as a filtering medium or as a component in some catalysts.
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Soda ash: Used for pH adjustment and in sulfur recovery processes.
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Carbon: In the form of coke, it can be a byproduct of refining processes or used as fuel.
These materials play essential roles in various refining operations, contributing to the efficient production of fuels and other valuable products.
