Bottom of the barrel processing
My original intention was for the next discussion to be on cracking processes, but in retrospect it would be better to discuss what is required to crack hydrocarbons to produce usable transport fuels.
In the early days of refining the refineries we geared up to produce naphtha, kerosine, diesel and atmospheric residue. The atmospheric residue was frequently used as fuel oil for power generation, steam production and marine applications ( steam turbine and marine diesels). This type of processing was known as hydroskimming. In the developed world very few hydroskimming refineries now exist as these refineries cannot extract the value in the atmospheric residue or residual fuels. In the 1960 many refineries were fitted out with vacuum distillation units and fluid catalytic cracking units (FCC). Sometimes a thermal cracker or vis-breaker were also employed. In the 1970’s hydrocracking and coking became available as the demand for ever more gasoline and…
thanks, very in-depth explanation, including the historic and evolution of industry.
may take a couple more readings to fully appreciate.