Hydrocarbon Chemistry for Process Operators

Overview

Process operators in refineries, gas plants and petrochemical complexes work every day with hydrocarbons whose behaviour depends on their chemistry. Understanding why light ends flash, why heavy oils need heat to flow, why some compounds form coke or gums and why others are corrosive or toxic helps operators run units safely and respond correctly to abnormal conditions. Yet many operators learn their units by procedure rather than by understanding, which limits their ability to troubleshoot problems, interpret laboratory results and recognise the early signs of process upsets or product quality issues.

This course provides process operators with a clear and practical introduction to hydrocarbon chemistry. Participants learn the structure of the main hydrocarbon families, including paraffins, naphthenes, olefins and aromatics, and how carbon number and structure affect boiling point, density, viscosity, flammability and reactivity. The course covers crude oil and natural gas composition, impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen, metals and water, and the key chemical reactions in refining and petrochemical units. It also explains common laboratory tests and product specifications, the chemistry behind hazards such as flammability, toxicity and pyrophoric deposits, and how chemistry knowledge supports daily operation and troubleshooting.

Objectives

• Describe the main hydrocarbon families and their chemical structures
• Relate carbon number and structure to boiling point, density and viscosity
• Explain the composition of crude oil and natural gas and their main impurities
• Understand the key reactions in refining and petrochemical process units
• Interpret common laboratory tests and product specifications used on site
• Recognise the chemistry behind flammability, toxicity and pyrophoric hazards
• Use chemistry knowledge to support daily operation and troubleshooting

Who should attend

Training methodology

The course uses simple explanations, molecular models and everyday plant examples to make chemistry accessible to operators without a technical degree. Participants work with real crude assays, gas analyses and product certificates, relate laboratory results to unit operation and identify the causes of common quality problems. Short calculations on density, blending and vapour pressure build confidence with numbers. Videos and case studies show how chemistry contributed to fires, corrosion and pyrophoric incidents. Group exercises reinforce key ideas, and each day ends with a short quiz and open discussion of questions from participants' own units.

Programme outline

Dates and fees

Certificate

Frequently asked questions