Petrochemical Processes

Overview

Petrochemicals turn oil and gas into the plastics, fibres, solvents and intermediates found in almost every modern product. This course offers a structured tour of the industry, from feedstock choice to finished polymer. It explains how naphtha, ethane and LPG are cracked into olefins, how aromatics are produced and separated, and how methane-based routes lead to ammonia, methanol and their derivatives. Participants then study the main polymerisation technologies for polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC, and see how product grades are controlled. The programme also covers the economics of integrated sites, energy and utility demands, catalyst management, and the safety and environmental issues that are specific to petrochemical plants. Throughout, the focus is on understanding process logic and the links between units, not on memorising chemistry.

Objectives

• Describe the main petrochemical value chains and their feedstocks
• Explain steam cracking and the factors that control olefin yields
• Describe aromatics production and separation processes
• Outline methane-based routes to ammonia, methanol and derivatives
• Compare polymerisation technologies for the main commodity polymers
• Identify key safety, environmental and economic issues in petrochemical plants

Who should attend

Training methodology

Process routes are explained with simplified flow sheets and mass balances, supported by plant photographs and operating data. Participants complete short yield and balance calculations, then work in groups to map value chains from a given feedstock to market products. Case studies examine plant incidents and debottlenecking projects. Discussion sessions encourage participants to share practices from their own sites, and the course ends with an assessment. Each participant receives simplified flow sheets of the main processes for future reference.

Programme outline

Dates and fees

Fees are in GBP. per delegate.

Certificate

Frequently asked questions