Course Details

Objective

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basic chemical composition of petroleum and its various components.
• Learn about the formation of crude oil and natural gas.
• Gain insight into the refining processes used to convert crude oil into useful products.
• Explore the chemical structure of hydrocarbons and their importance in petroleum products.
• Understand the role of additives in enhancing the performance of petroleum products.
• Learn how to assess the quality of petroleum products based on their chemical properties.
• Gain a foundational understanding of petrochemicals and their applications.

Content

Day 1: Introduction to Petroleum Chemistry

• Overview of petroleum and its significance in the energy industry.
• The chemical composition of crude oil: Hydrocarbons, sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen compounds, and trace elements.
• Basic principles of chemistry relevant to petroleum: Atomic structure, bonding, and molecular interactions.
• The formation of crude oil and natural gas from organic matter over millions of years.
• Properties of crude oil: API gravity, sulfur content, viscosity, and its significance in refining and product use.

Day 2: Hydrocarbons and Their Chemical Structure

• Understanding hydrocarbons: Saturated vs. unsaturated hydrocarbons.
• Alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons: Definitions, properties, and examples.
• The significance of different hydrocarbon structures in refining and product quality.
• The role of carbon and hydrogen in petroleum chemistry.
• The impact of chemical composition on the performance and behavior of petroleum products (e.g., fuels, lubricants).

Day 3: Refining Processes and Chemical Changes

• Overview of the petroleum refining process: Distillation, cracking, reforming, and treating.
• The role of distillation in separating crude oil into fractions based on boiling points.
• Chemical processes involved in refining: Catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, and reforming.
• The chemical principles behind the production of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined products.
• The role of additives in enhancing fuel and lubricant performance (e.g., detergents, antioxidants, and anti-corrosion agents).

Day 4: Petroleum Products and Their Chemical Properties

• Common petroleum products: Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, LPG, lubricants, and waxes.
• Chemical properties of key petroleum products: Viscosity, volatility, flash point, and boiling range.
• The chemical structure of fuels and how it affects their performance in engines and other machinery.
• Properties of lubricants: Viscosity index, pour point, and oxidative stability.
• Evaluating the quality of petroleum products based on their chemical properties.

Day 5: Petrochemicals and Future of Petroleum Chemistry

• Introduction to petrochemicals: Production of chemicals derived from petroleum (e.g., ethylene, propylene, benzene).
• The chemical processes involved in the production of petrochemicals and their industrial applications.
• Environmental considerations: The chemistry of pollution, emissions, and waste from petroleum products.
• The future of petroleum chemistry: Innovations in refining technologies, biofuels, and sustainable alternatives.
• Review of key concepts and open Q&A session.

NOTE:

Pre-& Post Tests will be conducted.

Case Studies, Group Exercises, Group Discussions, Last Day reviews, and assessments will be carried out.

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Methodology

A highly interactive combination of lectures and discussion sessions will be managed to maximize the amount and quality of information and knowledge transfer. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. You will also be encouraged to raise your own questions and to share in the development of the right answers using your own analysis and experiences.  Tests of multiple-choice type will be made available on daily basis to examine the effectiveness of delivering the course.

Very useful Course Materials will be given.

• 30% Lectures
• 30% Workshops and work presentation
• 20% Group Work& Practical Exercises
• 20% Videos& General Discussions