Course dates
You will learn:
- The process technologies used in modern petroleum refineries, how the processes are different, and how they work together to make specification products profitably
- Refining economics, and what determines a pacesetter refinery
- Effect of crude types on a refinery
- Product blending
- Metallurgy
- Debottlenecking techniques
- Design strategies of open art processes
- Engineering and construction challenges
- Operations
- Production of petrochemical feedstocks
- Safety considerations
Target audience:
Chemical engineers and process engineers with less than 3 years of experience. Other design, project and maintenance engineers who are involved in the refinery processes in order to gain a deeper understanding of refining technologies & economics.
Day 1
An overall review of an example refinery will be discussed. Topics include:
- the different processes
- differences between crude sources and the effect on the refinery, product specifications and blending
- typical materials of construction
- general debottlenecking techniques
- how to calculate auto tailpipe emissions from burning gasoline
Crude oil distillation, isomerization, and catalytic reforming will be discussed. Yields, chemistry, safety, equipment, and engineering, construction, and operation challenges are reviewed.
Workshop techniques are used to enhance information retention. Problems, typical for the refinery are discussed and worked individually and in groups. Handheld calculators are used, and laptops are recommended.
Exercise: Crude oils and their effects on an existing refinery
Six crude oils of various qualities are compared by the group. How the differences in the crude sources affect an existing refinery are discussed.
Case study: Auto tailpipe emissions
Each attendee uses a spreadsheet model furnished by the instructor to evaluate a proposed gasoline blend to determine if the gasoline could be marketed in the U.S. by complying with standards for calculated tailpipe emissions.
Case study: refinery economic Margin case 1
Using a spreadsheet furnished by the instructor, each attendee follows the instructor and jointly calculates the refinery margin for a case where only the crude distillation unit is operating.
Day 2
Hydrotreating, Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC), and hydrocracking will be reviewed. Topics covered include:
- description of the process
- chemistry
- yields
- flow sketches
- equipment types
- metallurgy
- engineering and construction challenges
- operation
- special safety issues
Case study: Reactor exercise
Each group calculates the required reactor size to satisfy a given Liquid Hourly Space Velocity (LHSV) and weight hourly Space Velocity (WHSV), and calculates the number of days before the catalyst activity is expected to be spent.
Exercise: Metallurgy
Each attendee calculates the minimum metallurgy required for given sets of conditions, utilising corrosion curves furnished in the course manual.
Case study: Hydrogen plant capacity
Using the example overall refinery block flow diagram, each group calculates the required capacity of a hydrogen plant for a given set of process hydrogen consumption examples and the catalytic reformer hydrogen yield.
Case study: refinery economic Margin case 2
Using a spreadsheet furnished by the instructor, each attendee follows the instructor and jointly calculates the refinery margin with additional units operating, and compares the results with Margin case 1.
Day 3
Alkylation, bottom of the barrel processes, light ends recovery and refinery economics will be discussed. Topics covered for the process technologies include:
- description of the process
- chemistry
- yields
- flow sketches
- equipment types
- metallurgy
- engineering and construction challenges
- operation
- special safety issues
Exercise: Alkylation feed optimisation
Each attendee calculates the optimum set of stream rates to an alkylation unit, using a given set of available feedstocks.
Exercise: Coker yields
Each attendee calculates coker yields using data in the course manual.
Case study: Economy of scale
Each attendee uses the furnished DCF spreadsheet and a table of cost data to determine the optimum refinery capacity.
Case study: refinery economic Margins cases 3 and 4
Using a spreadsheet furnished by the instructor, each attendee follows the instructor and jointly calculates the refinery margin with additional units operating for case 3 and again, with all refinery units operating for case 4. The results are compared with those of the other Margin cases.
At the end of each day, key learning points of the day will be listed and presented by each group.
Central London Hotel (energy), London, UK
All Euromoney Energy Training courses are held at four or five star venues in Central London, Zone 1. We strive to provide you with a training environment of the highest quality, to ensure that the whole learning experience exceeds your expectations.
Your training venue will be confirmed by one of our course administrators approximately 3-4 weeks before the course start date.
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Ralph Ragsdale
In a refining career spanning 49 years, Mr. Ralph Ragsdale, the course developer and trainer has held operating, design and technology management positions in several refineries and engineering companies culminating in executive technology positions. Experience includes evaluating the technical and economic viabilities of many existing and proposed refineries, including every refinery in six Eastern European countries and the largest and most complex refining and petrochemical complex to be designed and constructed as one project. He has published 31 technical articles and made technology presentations in 58 cities in 35 countries outside the U.S., as well as many in the U.S. He has held positions with Bechtel Corp., M.W. Kellogg Co., Fluor E&C Co., Stearns Catalytic Co., Tenneco Oil Co., Signal Oil & Gas Co., and Eastern States Petroleum and Chemical Co., retiring from Bechtel as Executive Technical Director with global responsibilities.
Mr. Ragsdale received B.A. and B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Rice Institute, has held professional registrations in Texas and Louisiana, and served as expert panelist three times at NPRA and ERTC conferences. He developed the course in refining technology. Clients of his course have included Foster Wheeler, Technip, Fluor, Bechtel, Wink Engineering, Virent Energy Systems, and Mustang Engineering.
Courses run by this instructor
Interested in holding this course in-house? Please fill out your details and a member of our team will be in touch with more information.
19-22 Jun 2012 (London, UK)
4-7 Dec 2012 (London, UK)
This Euromoney Energy Training course examines markets, pricing and products to provide you with a thorough overview of the sector. The course will explore mechanisms and tools for both physical and financial oil trading allowing unparalleled access to the world of trading, its role within the oil industry and its importance in the success of oil companies. You will leave this course with a thorough understanding of the workings of crude oil markets and the range of contracts, tools and techniques available to traders.
25-27 Jun 2012 (London, UK)
17-19 Dec 2012 (London, UK)
This Petroleum Company Performance Management training course has been designed to offer personnel from corporations and financial institutions a full complement of tools to use most effectively in developing and analysing the corporate performance measures for oil and gas companies.
18-20 Jul 2012 (New York, United States)
This course will give you an in-depth introduction to petroleum refining technology and economics. The focus is on transportation fuels refineries, however, petrochemical production and biofuels are also discussed. The first part of the program includes an
overview of crude oil supply and petroleum product demand. This is followed with a description of refinery process technology. Key refining technologies are described such as crude oil distillation, heavy oil conversion options, hydrotreating, and catalytic reforming.
5-8 Nov 2012 (Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
4 days of course modules that focus on the review and examination of the key elements of the supply chain from upstream activities of exploration, development and production through transportation to downstream sector that involves trading, refining, petrochemicals and final distribution to the consuming markets.
20-22 Aug 2012 (Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
This course is designed for professionals who need to develop an understanding of the unique aspects of the energy industry, including the oil and gas commercialisation and business development or facilities evaluation and commercialisation.
The course will focus on the skills required in evaluation (both buyside and sell-side), financing, acquisition, and exploitation planning for an oil and gas entity, a midstream facility or electrical generation plant.
25-27 Sep 2012 (Singapore, Singapore)
This Fundamentals of Crude Oil Valuation & Pricing course covers everything you need to know about how oil is traded and priced in the international market. The course covers the valuation and pricing of physical cargoes of crude oil, as well as how derivatives such as oil futures and swaps are structured.
25-29 Jun 2012 (London, UK)
Featuring 3–individually bookable modules:
- Upstream development & production
- Mid-stream pipelines & LNG projects
- Downstream oil refineries & petrochemical plants
- Including: 16 key industry case studies to improve your understanding
20-22 Aug 2012 (London, UK)
22-31 Oct 2012 (Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
17-21 Sep 2012 (London, UK)
This 5-day course is designed to introduce both lawyers and nonlawyers alike to the theories and practice of international commercial and investment arbitration in the oil & gas industry.
24-27 Sep 2012 (London, UK)
15-18 Apr 2013 (London, UK)
The Commercial and Trading Aspects of Oil Refining course will provide you with in-depth knowledge of the refining business and an understanding of how trading/hedging can improve margins and reduce risk. Discover how to optimise refinery margins and manage the profitability of commercial refining.
20-24 Aug 2012 (London, UK)
This Euromoney Energy Training course provides a comprehensive overview of the oil and gas industry from upstream exploration and production to downstream refining, sales and marketing. You will gain an appreciation of industry dynamics and the key issues affecting its development and future. This course will provide a thorough foundation for understanding the changing industry dynamics.
8-10 May 2013 (London, UK)
This course will investigate the mechanisms for trading physical oil, freight, shipping and derivatives to optimise margins and achieve profit targets. The interdependence between oil markets and ship chartering will be extensively explored, revealing links to the derivative markets and the use of trading tools.
17-19 Oct 2012 (London, UK)
13-15 Feb 2013 (London, UK)
This Euromoney Energy Training course provides a comprehensive overview of the oil and gas industry from upstream exploration and production to downstream refining, sales and marketing. Under the guidance of our expert course faculty, participants will gain an appreciation of industry dynamics and the key issues affecting its development and future.
8-10 May 2013 (London, UK)
This course will investigate the mechanisms for trading physical oil, freight, shipping and derivatives to optimise margins and achieve profit targets. The interdependence between oil markets and ship chartering will be extensively explored, revealing links to the derivative markets and the use of trading tools.
17-20 Dec 2012 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
This 4 day International Oil & Gas Contracts course is specifically designed for professionals involved internationally in the oil and gas industry, it offers a unique opportunity to rapidly increase your understanding of the legal issues involved in various UK and international scenarios and to improve your techniques and skills in drafting a variety of international contracts.
3-5 Dec 2012 (London, United Kingdom)
Euromoney Energy Trainings Petroleum Sales Contracts course is designed to give attendees a comprehensive understanding of crude oil, natural gas and refined products markets and the sales contracts that are utilised for transactions through the supply chain.
29-31 Oct 2012 (London, UK)
This course is designed for professionals who need to develop an understanding of the unique aspects of the energy industry, including the oil and gas commercialisation and business development or facilities evaluation and commercialisation.
The course will focus on the skills required in evaluation (both buyside and sell-side), financing, acquisition, and exploitation planning for an oil and gas entity, a midstream facility or electrical generation plant.
11-15 Jun 2012 (Singapore, Singapore)
A 5-day course designed to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of oil products, oil trading, market participants and fundamentals such as pricing.
19-21 Nov 2012 (Singapore, Singapore)
16-19 Jul 2012 (London, UK)
4 days of course modules that focus on the review and examination of the key elements of the supply chain from upstream activities of exploration, development and production through transportation to downstream sector that involves trading, refining, petrochemicals and final distribution to the consuming markets.
28-30 May 2012 (London, UK)
This Fundamentals of Crude Oil Valuation & Pricing course covers everything you need to know about how oil is traded and priced in the international market. The course covers the valuation and pricing of physical cargoes of crude oil, as well as how derivatives such as oil futures and swaps are structured.
Course dates