Safety


Is it even possible to refi ne petroleum without producing combustible hydrocarbons? TALKING POINT


For over a century, oil refi ning has been inextricably linked with the production of fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel— products that have powered economies and industries but at a tremendous environmental cost. Yet, the assumption that refi ning crude oil must inevitably produce combustible hydrocarbons is a myth. With advances in technology and a shift in priorities, refi ning can evolve into a process that extracts value from hydrocarbons without yielding fuels destined for combustion. This transformation is not just possible but increasingly essential as the world strives for a low-carbon future.


Oil refi ning is often perceived as a process designed to produce fuels. However, this view overlooks the incredible versatility of crude oil as a raw material. Crude oil is a complex blend of hydrocarbons that can be broken down, restructured, and repurposed into countless products. The refi ning process itself—encompassing distillation, cracking, and reforming— does not inherently dictate that fuels must be the end products. Instead, the predominance of fuels is a result of historical demand and market dynamics.


Refi neries are essentially chemical factories, capable of tailoring outputs to meet specifi c needs. By adjusting the confi gurations of key processes, refi neries can prioritize the production of non-combustible materials like petrochemicals, lubricants, and polymers. These products are indispensable in industries ranging from construction to electronics, and they offer a way to retain the utility of hydrocarbons without contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.


The production of fuels like gasoline and diesel depends on specifi c chemical pathways within a refi nery. By shifting focus, these pathways can be redirected toward creating durable, non-combustible products. Here’s how:


Refi neries start with distillation, separating crude oil into fractions based on boiling points. Lighter fractions, like naphtha, are typically processed into fuels. However,


these same fractions can be used to produce olefi ns and aromatics—key ingredients in plastics, synthetic fi bers, and high-performance materials. Adjustments in catalytic cracking and hydrocracking can maximize these outputs, while minimizing light hydrocarbons like propane and butane that are traditionally used as fuels.


Emerging technologies also offer new pathways. Steam cracking, for example, transforms hydrocarbons into ethylene and propylene, the building blocks of most modern plastics. Similarly, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis can convert hydrocarbons into waxes and specialty chemicals rather than fuels. Advanced catalysts are being developed to selectively produce high-value chemicals, bypassing intermediates that lead to combustible hydrocarbons.


Heavy fractions of crude oil, often destined for bunker fuels or residual oils, can instead be diverted to non-fuel uses like asphalt and lubricants. These materials lock carbon into physical forms, extending their lifecycle and keeping emissions at bay. Meanwhile, hydrogen, a critical input in many refi ning processes, can now be sourced from renewable electricity, further decarbonizing refi nery operations.


Transitioning refi neries away from fuel production addresses one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: carbon emissions. Combustion of fossil fuels accounts for the majority of global CO₂ emissions. By focusing on non- combustible outputs, refi neries can eliminate this signifi cant source of greenhouse gases.


Economically, this shift is increasingly attractive. The global demand for durable materials, from advanced polymers to lightweight composites, is growing. These materials are crucial for industries like aerospace, renewable energy, and medical technology. As governments and corporations push for sustainability, refi neries that pivot to producing high-value materials will fi nd themselves well-positioned in the emerging circular economy, where resources are reused and recycled.


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Furthermore, the infrastructure and expertise of the oil refi ning industry are assets that can be leveraged in this transition. Refi neries are already equipped to process hydrocarbons effi ciently and at scale. Redirecting these capabilities toward non-fuel products minimizes the need for entirely new facilities, reducing costs and speeding up the shift.


Transforming oil refi ning is not without challenges. Existing refi neries are optimized for fuel production, and reconfi guring them to prioritize non-combustible outputs requires investment and innovation. Advances in catalyst design, process engineering, and renewable hydrogen integration are critical to making this transition feasible and effi cient.


Safety and environmental concerns also need to be addressed. Non-combustible hydrocarbons, while less environmentally damaging than fuels, must be managed responsibly. For example, plastics derived from petrochemicals should fi t into a robust recycling system to prevent pollution.


Despite these hurdles, the opportunities are immense. By decoupling refi ning from fuel production, the industry can redefi ne its role in the economy. Refi neries can become hubs of sustainable material production, supplying the building blocks for a decarbonized world.


Reliable and precise gas measurement systems for determining the concentration of toxic or combustible gases and vapours


in potentially explosive environments LogiDataTech supplies innovative gas measurement systems for directly determining gas concentration in a gas mixture. The explosion-proof MF420-Ex-2.1 range measures the concentration of toxic or combustible gases and vapours in an explosive air mixture at an ambient temperature range of 0-50°C. They operate by utilising either a pellistor or a specifi c electrochemical sensor. Calibration is a simple procedure and is carried out on-site using an alphanumeric display with the use of buttons, so the device does not need to be opened. The aluminium housing is suitable for wall mounting. The measured values are outputted via a linear current output (4-20mA) and the evaluation and further processing of the measured values are transmitted to a device connected downstream by the user. The instruments comply with the current European ATEX standard and are approved for operation in zones 1 and 2.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/JeEm For More Info, email:


email: 60802pr@reply-direct.com High-powered DFB interband cascade lasers


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email:


There is great news for nanoplus photoacoustic customers. nanoplus have announced a new high-power version and fi ber-coupled package of their DFB Interband Cascade Laser for high- precision gas sensing


nanoplus DFB interband cascade lasers at 3345 nm and 4565 nm, are now available up to 40 mW. All other specifi cations remain the same, so users can continue to enjoy the same high- quality performance they have come to expect.


Furthermore, nanoplus DFB Interband Cascade Lasers up to 5500 nm are now available in a fi ber-coupled butterfl y package for improved ease of use.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/E5XG 63574pr@reply-direct.com WWW.PETRO-ONLINE.COM


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