Fouling and coking are persistent challenges in HFO visbreaking units, leading to reduced heat transfer efficiency, increased energy consumption, and frequent shutdowns. This blog examines the root causes of fouling and explores practical solutions to minimize its impact on operations. Understanding Fouling Mechanisms Fouling in visbreaking units occurs due to: Thermal Cracking Byproducts...

White spirit, a widely used industrial solvent, is produced through the distillation of petroleum fractions. The efficiency and quality of white spirit heavily depend on precise process control in distillation plants. Advanced process control (APC) systems are now being implemented to optimize distillation, reduce energy consumption, and ensure consistent product quality. This blog explores key...

One of the persistent technical problems in waste oil to diesel conversion is coke formation inside the pyrolysis reactor. Coking reduces thermal efficiency, clogs transfer lines, and demands frequent shutdowns. This blog explores the root causes of coking and specific reactor design solutions that reduce this risk. Understanding Coke Formation Coke is a carbonaceous byproduct formed when...

Beyond refining, petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and lubricants require performance-enhancing additives to meet modern engine demands and environmental regulations. These additives improve combustion, reduce emissions, and extend engine life, making them essential for fuel and lubricant formulations. Key Additives & Their Functions Fuel Additives Octane & Cetane...

Lube oil blending is a complex process that requires precise control over base oils and additives to meet stringent quality standards. Traditional manual blending methods are prone to inconsistencies, leading to product variability and increased waste. To overcome these challenges, modern lube oil blending plants are adopting advanced automation technologies, ensuring higher accuracy,...

Visbreaking is a thermal cracking process used to reduce the viscosity of heavy fuel oil (HFO) to produce lighter, more valuable products. However, one of the major challenges in visbreaking units is fouling—the accumulation of carbon deposits and other contaminants on heat exchanger surfaces, reactor walls, and pipelines. Fouling reduces heat transfer efficiency, increases energy...

The growing demand for sustainable and circular economy solutions has led to increased interest in waste oil-to-base oil recycling projects. Governments worldwide are encouraging such initiatives through subsidies, tax incentives, and grants to promote environmental sustainability and reduce dependence on virgin petroleum products. Why Governments Support Waste Oil Recycling? Waste oil, if...

As industries worldwide shift toward sustainability, bio-based lubricants are emerging as a key player in reducing environmental impact. Blending plants, which traditionally rely on petroleum-based lubricants, are now exploring bio-based alternatives to meet regulatory demands and consumer preferences for greener solutions. The future of bio-based lubricants in blending plants looks...

As the world transitions toward a low-carbon future, the energy sector is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) visbreaking, a thermal cracking process used to break down residual oil into lighter, more valuable products, has long been a staple in the refining industry. However, its economic viability in a...

Solvent extraction is a critical process in the production of high-quality base oil from waste oil. It involves using selective solvents to separate desirable lubricating oil fractions from impurities such as waxes, asphaltenes, and other contaminants. One of the most crucial factors influencing the efficiency and effectiveness of this process is temperature control. Proper temperature...