The PFD can be divided into :
and base oils are typically measured by weight using load cells or volumetric flow meters.
| Sub‑unit | Typical Operating Conditions | |----------|------------------------------| | | 5–30 mmHg, 350‑380 °C. Produces vacuum gas oil (VGO) and residuum . | | Hydrocracking / Hydro‑finishing | 150‑200 bar H₂, 350‑380 °C, catalyst (e.g., Ni‑Mo/Al₂O₃). Converts VGO to hydrotreated base oils . | | Hydrotreating | 30‑50 bar H₂, 350‑380 °C, to saturate aromatics and remove sulfur, nitrogen. | | Solvent Extraction/Dewaxing | Solvent (e.g., phenol, furfural) at 25‑35 °C; removes waxes, improves low‑temperature fluidity. | | Winterizing (optional) | Low‑temperature crystallization to separate high‑pour‑point fractions. |
: Used for high-volume production; components are metered and mixed directly in the pipeline, eliminating the need for bulk mixing tanks.
The production of high-quality lubricants follows a structured path from raw material intake to final packaging: What is Lube Oil Blending? - Integrated Flow Solutions
+--------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+ | 1. Crude Reception | ---> | 2. Base‑Oil Prod. | ---> | 3. Base‑Oil Store | +--------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | v v v v v +--------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+ | 2A. Desalting | | 2B. Vacuum Distil.| | 2C. Hydrocracking | +--------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+ | | | | | | v v v | | +-------------------+ | | | 2D. Hydro‑Treat | | | +-------------------+ | | | | | v | | +-------------------+ | | | 2E. Solvent Dewax | | | +-------------------+ | | | | +------------------------>+-------------------------+ | (Base‑oil fractions) v +-------------------+ | 4. Additive Store | +-------------------+ | v +-------------------+ +--------------------+ | 5. Blending |<---+ | 6. Conditioning |<----| Section | | +--------------------+ +-------------------+ | ^ | | | v | +--------------------+ +-------------------+| | 7. Product Storage |<---------| 5A. Mixer (static/| | +--------------------+ | dynamic) |-+ +-------------------+