Depending on whether gas is present in the crude oil or not a 2 or 3 phase separation is required. As the temperature of the crude oil in the distillation column rises the crude oil separates itself into different components called fractions the fractions are then captured separately.

Crude Oil Refining Products Enggcyclopedia

To process the oil and its ingredients these three components are separated in a first step.

Process of separating crude oil. There are several processes crude must go through to become motor oil among other things. Separation heat treating and stabilization are the first three and all critically important to the overall process. Atmospheric distillation fractionates the crude oil into various distillates fractions or cuts of hydrocarbon compounds based on molecular size and boiling point range e g light ends propane butanes straight run naphthas light and heavy kerosene straight run gas oils light and heavy and atmospheric residue figure 1 5.

Each fraction corresponds to a different type of petroleum product depending on the temperature at which that fraction boils off the crude oil mixture. Fractional distillation is used to separate crude oil into simpler more useful mixtures. Wells with a high content of gas have also a high pressure.

The main separation step in any crude oil refinery is atmospheric or primary distillation. Without the combined effect of these three processes moving the crude to storage and eventually refining would be complicated at best. The present invention involves a process for separating the desirable components of crude oil that eliminates the off gas compressor separates the naphtha components more effectively and.

The crude oil from the well is usually a mixture of oil gas and water. In the separation plant this pressure is reduced. This method can be used because different hydrocarbons have different boiling points.

The present invention involves a process for separating the desirable components of crude oil that eliminates the off gas compressor separates the naphtha components more effectively and efficiently does not suffer from the problems associated with water condensation and reduces the overall energy requirements. This invention relates generally as indicated to a process for separating crude oil components and more particularly to such a process in which a pefractionation system operating at relatively.