Petroleum Refining - Complete Guide to Products & Processes from Udemy

The main scope of the course is to create strong basis and fundamentals regarding the processes in the Petroleum Refining. We take a look to the Oil&Gas Industry briefly and continue directly with the Refining Process. We then make a focus in each individual unit operation in the refinery.

Learn about:

Oil& Gas Industry
Difference between Petroleum Refining vs. Petrochemical Industry
Overview of the most important operations and products
Market insight (supply/demand) as well as (production/consumption)
Several Petroleum Refineries around the World

Unit Operations & Processes

Refining and Fractionation
Atmospheric Distillation Column
Vacuum Distillation
Hydrotreating (Hydrogenation)
Blending
Reforming
Isomerization
Alkylation
Steam Cracking
Fluid Catalytic Cracking
Gas Sweetening (Hydrodesulfurization)
Coking

Components:

Fuel Gas / Natural Gas
Liquified Petroleum Gases (LPG)
Propane, Butane
Sulfur / Hydrogen Sulfide
Gasoline / Automotive Gas Oil
Naphtha Cuts (Light/Heavy)
Kerosene
Diesel
Gasoil
Lubricants
Vacuum Residues
Asphalt
Coke

NOTE: This course is focused for Process Simulation

At the end of the course you will feel confident in the Petroleum Refining Industry. You will know the most common Process & Unit Operations as well as their distribution, production and importance in daily life.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Strong foundations in the petroleum refining industry, products and its processes
Oil& gas industry
Market insight (supply/demand) as well as (production/consumption)
Processes such as: refining, fractionation, atmospheric distillation, vacuum distillation

Further processes such as: hydrotreating (hydrogenation), blending, reforming, isomerization, alkylation, etc...
Several cracking processes: steam cracking, fluid catalytic cracking
Treatment of other materials such as sour gases via gas sweetening and coking

Strong foundations in the petroleum refining industry, products and its processes
Oil& gas industry
Market insight (supply/demand) as well as (production/consumption)
Processes such as: refining, fractionation, atmospheric distillation, vacuum distillation
Further processes such as: hydrotreating (hydrogenation), blending, reforming, isomerization, alkylation, etc...
Several cracking processes: steam cracking, fluid catalytic cracking
Treatment of other materials such as sour gases via gas sweetening and coking

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to the Course!

Content Index

Petroleum Refining vs. Petrochemical Industry

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the basics of the Petroleum Refining Industry, such as products and processes, which is standard in the industry

Taught by Chemical Engineering Guy, who are recognized for their expertise in chemical engineering

Examines common Processes in Petroleum Refining, including Refining, Fractionation, and Atmospheric Distillation, which is highly relevant to the Petroleum Refining industry

Develops an understanding of various Cracking Processes, such as Steam Cracking and Fluid Catalytic Cracking, which are core skills for Chemical Engineers

Teaches Gas Sweetening (Hydrodesulfurization), which helps learners understand the treatment of sour gases

Explicitly requires students to have a background in Chemical Engineering, which may be a barrier to entry

Course Name clearly indicates that this course focuses on Process Simulation, which may make some learners unqualified

Reviews summary

Comprehensive petroleum refining processes & simulation

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive guide to petroleum refining, establishing strong basis and fundamentals. It details numerous unit operations and processes, providing valuable market insights. A key highlight is its explicit focus for process simulation. While excellent for theoretical understanding, some students note it primarily covers concepts rather than hands-on software application, which might be a consideration for those seeking direct simulation practice. Overall, it aims to help students feel confident in the Petroleum Refining Industry.

Provides valuable context on market trends and global industry facts.

"I appreciated the inclusion of market insight on supply, demand, production, and consumption within the industry."

"The sections on Oil & Gas Industry facts and trends were very informative and added real-world context."

"Understanding global oil reserves, production, and trading routes was a valuable addition to the technical content."

Explores various crude oil components and refined products in detail.

"The breakdown of hydrocarbon types like paraffins, olefins, napthenes, and aromatics was very thorough and helpful."

"Learning about the different petroleum refinery products and their specifications, like gasoline and diesel, was highly valuable."

"I gained a much clearer understanding of crude oil cuts, distillates, and the various compounds found in crude."

Specifically designed to build conceptual understanding for simulation.

"This course's explicit focus for Process Simulation is exactly what I needed to build my theoretical background."

"It helps establish the conceptual understanding necessary for further work in process simulation."

"I found the content laid a solid groundwork for approaching industry process simulations effectively."

Covers key unit operations and products in detail.

"I gained a strong basis and fundamentals regarding the processes in Petroleum Refining, covering each individual unit operation thoroughly."

"The course provides a complete guide to products & processes, detailing everything from distillation to cracking."

"I now understand the most common Process & Unit Operations as well as their distribution, production and importance in daily life."

Focuses on theoretical principles, not hands-on simulation software use.

"While excellent for theory, I was hoping for more hands-on exercises or actual software demonstrations for process simulation."

"The course provided strong theoretical insights, but I desired more practical application beyond research tasks."

"It's comprehensive in its explanation of processes, but learners should know it doesn't teach how to use specific simulation tools."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Petroleum Refining - Complete Guide to Products & Processes with these activities:

Compile a Glossary of Petroleum Refining Terms

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Enhance vocabulary and understanding by creating a glossary of key terms.

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Organize the terms alphabetically or by category.
Identify essential terms related to petroleum refining.
Define and explain each term clearly.

Review Sulfur Removal Techniques

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Strengthen understanding of sulfur removal techniques before delving into refining processes.

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Revisit principles of gas treating.
Understand the chemistry of sulfur removal processes.
Review different methods of sulfur removal and their applications.

Review Petroleum Refining: Technology and Economics

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Expand knowledge and understanding by reading an authoritative book on petroleum refining.

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Read selected chapters relevant to the course.
Take notes and summarize key concepts.
Discuss the book with classmates or the instructor.
Apply the knowledge gained to course assignments and discussions.

Five other activities

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Practice Crude Distillation

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Reinforce the process of crude distillation by solving practice problems.

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Identify the components of crude oil.
Understand the principles of fractional distillation.
Solve problems related to the separation of components in crude oil.

Discuss Petroleum Refining Case Studies

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Engage in collaborative discussions with peers to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios.

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Identify case studies relevant to petroleum refining.
Analyze the case studies and discuss the challenges and solutions.
Share insights and learn from different perspectives.

Guided Tutorial on Fluidized Catalytic Cracking

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Deepen understanding of FCC by following a guided tutorial.

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Review the basics of catalytic cracking.
Understand the role of catalysts in FCC.
Learn about the process conditions and equipment used in FCC.
Analyze the products of FCC.

Design a Mini-Refinery

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Apply knowledge to a practical project by designing a mini-refinery.

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Determine the desired capacity and products of the refinery.
Select and design the appropriate process units.
Optimize the process flow and energy consumption.
Present the design and justify the choices made.

Create an Infographic on the Environmental Impact of Petroleum Refining

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Enhance understanding and communication of the environmental implications of petroleum refining.

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Research the environmental impact of petroleum refining.
Design and create an infographic using visual aids.
Present the infographic to the class or share it online.

Career center

Learners who complete Petroleum Refining - Complete Guide to Products & Processes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chemical Engineer

As a Chemical Engineer, you will be designing and developing processes for the manufacturing of chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and other products. This course can help build a foundation in the refining process of crude oil, which can help you understand and solve problems in chemical engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Petroleum Engineer

In the role of a Petroleum Engineer, you will be involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. This course can provide insight into the processes used to refine crude oil into usable products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Petroleum Engineer

Process Engineer

As a Process Engineer, you will be designing, developing, and improving processes for the production of goods. This course can help build a foundation in the processes used to refine crude oil, natural gas, and other feedstocks into a variety of products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer

Oil and Gas Exploration Geologist

As an Oil and Gas Exploration Geologist, you will be responsible for finding and evaluating potential oil and gas reserves. This course can provide insight into the processes used to extract oil and gas from the earth, as well as the refining process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Oil and Gas Exploration Geologist

Oil and Gas Production Manager

As an Oil and Gas Production Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the production of oil and natural gas. This course can provide you with insight into the various processes used to extract oil and natural gas from the earth, as well as the refining process.

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Refinery Operator

As a Refinery Operator, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a petroleum refinery. This course provides insight into the variety of processes used to refine crude oil into usable products.

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Environmental Consultant

As an Environmental Consultant, you will be advising businesses and organizations on how to reduce their environmental impact. This course can help build foundational knowledge in the refining process and the products produced, which can be helpful in understanding and solving environmental issues.

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Energy Analyst

As an Energy Analyst, you will be conducting research and analysis on the energy industry. This course can provide insight into the production and refining of oil and gas, which are major sources of energy.

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Oil and Gas Trader

As an Oil and Gas Trader, you will be buying and selling oil and gas commodities. This course can provide insight into the refining process and the products produced, which can be helpful in understanding the market and making informed decisions.

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Technical Sales Engineer

As a Technical Sales Engineer, you will be providing technical support to customers and helping them to select and use products and services. This course can provide insight into the refining process and the products produced, which can be helpful in understanding customer needs and providing effective support.

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Quality Control Inspector

As a Quality Control Inspector, you will be responsible for ensuring that products meet quality standards. This course can provide insight into the refining process and the products produced, which can be helpful in understanding how to identify and correct defects.

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Maintenance Technician

As a Maintenance Technician, you will be responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment in a variety of industries, including oil and gas refineries. This course can provide insight into the refining process and the equipment used, which can be helpful in understanding how to diagnose and repair problems.

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Safety Engineer

As a Safety Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and implementing safety procedures and ensuring that workplaces are safe. This course can provide insight into the refining process and the hazards associated with it, which can be helpful in developing effective safety measures.

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Project Manager

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. This course can provide insight into the refining process and the projects that are involved in it, which can be helpful in managing projects effectively.

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Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you will be responsible for writing technical documentation, such as manuals, reports, and presentations. This course can provide insight into the refining process and the products produced, which can be helpful in writing clear and accurate documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer