Solvent Deasphalting
نزع الأسفلت بالمذيبات
- Next date
- Available in-house
- Fees from
- —per delegate
- Formats
- In-house training0 sessions
- Duration
- 5 daysCertificate
Overview
Solvent deasphalting is a residue upgrading process that uses light hydrocarbon solvents such as propane, butane or pentane to separate vacuum residue into deasphalted oil and a heavy asphalt or pitch stream. The deasphalted oil can be used as feed for lube oil production, fluid catalytic cracking or hydrocracking, while the asphalt can be used for bitumen, fuel or gasification. As refiners process heavier crudes and seek to maximise the value of every barrel, solvent deasphalting offers a flexible, relatively low-cost way to increase conversion and manage residue streams within the refinery.
This course provides a practical understanding of solvent deasphalting technology, design and operation. Participants learn residue properties, asphaltene chemistry and the principles of solvent extraction, and the effect of solvent type, solvent-to-oil ratio, temperature and pressure on yield and quality. The course covers extractor design and internals, conventional and supercritical solvent recovery, asphalt handling, and the integration of the unit with lube, FCC, hydrocracking and gasification units. It also explains product specifications, laboratory testing, troubleshooting of extraction and solvent recovery problems, energy optimisation, safety in light hydrocarbon service and case studies from operating units.
Objectives
- Explain the role of solvent deasphalting in residue upgrading strategies
- Describe vacuum residue properties and asphaltene chemistry
- Understand solvent extraction principles and the effect of key variables
- Describe extractor design, internals and solvent recovery systems
- Integrate deasphalted oil and asphalt with downstream refinery units
- Control product quality and interpret laboratory test results
- Troubleshoot extraction and solvent recovery problems and optimise energy use
Who should attend
Process and operations engineers, technical services staff, unit supervisors and operators, and refinery planners working with residue upgrading.
Training methodology
The course combines explanation of extraction principles and process technology with calculations and analysis of real operating data. Participants estimate deasphalted oil yields for different solvents and conditions, evaluate product qualities, review extractor temperature profiles and solvent recovery performance, and assess the economics of different product routes. Operating data showing quality problems, solvent losses and fouling is analysed in groups to identify causes and solutions. Case studies of solvent deasphalting units integrated with lube, FCC and hydrocracking plants are discussed. Each day ends with a short quiz.
Programme outline
Day1Residue Upgrading and Feed Properties
- Residue upgrading options in modern refineries and where solvent deasphalting fits
- Vacuum residue properties: density, viscosity, Conradson carbon, metals and sulphur
- Asphaltene and resin chemistry and the colloidal structure of heavy residues
- Analytical methods for residues, asphaltenes and the quality of deasphalted oil products
- Economic drivers for solvent deasphalting and comparison with coking and hydroconversion
- Overview of commercial solvent deasphalting technologies and typical unit sizes
- Practical exercise: comparing residue upgrading options for a sample refinery
Day2Extraction Principles and Variables
- Solvent extraction principles and phase behaviour of residue and light hydrocarbon solvents
- Solvent selection: propane, butane, pentane and mixed solvents and their effects
- Effect of solvent-to-oil ratio on yield, selectivity and product quality
- Effect of extraction temperature and pressure and the use of temperature gradients
- Yield and quality relationships and the trade-off between DAO quantity and quality
- Supercritical solvent behaviour and how it is used to recover solvent efficiently
- Practical exercise: estimating DAO yield and quality at different operating conditions
Day3Extractor Design and Solvent Recovery
- Extractor types, internals such as trays and structured packing, and their performance
- Feed and solvent distribution and the control of the interface inside the extractor
- Conventional solvent recovery using flash drums and steam stripping systems in series
- Supercritical solvent recovery and its energy advantages over conventional systems
- Asphalt recovery, heating, handling and the prevention of fouling and blockages
- Solvent losses, make-up and the control of solvent quality in the system
- Practical exercise: reviewing extractor and solvent recovery operating data from a real unit
Day4Products and Refinery Integration
- Deasphalted oil specifications and quality requirements for lube oil production
- DAO as feed for fluid catalytic cracking and the effect of metals and carbon residue
- DAO as feed for hydrocracking and hydrotreating units and catalyst considerations
- Asphalt and pitch uses: bitumen blending, fuel oil, gasification and power generation
- Integration of solvent deasphalting with coking, visbreaking and hydroconversion units
- Laboratory testing and quality control of DAO and asphalt products
- Practical exercise: evaluating product routes and their value for a refinery configuration
Day5Troubleshooting, Safety and Optimisation
- Common operating problems: poor separation, off-specification DAO and high solvent losses
- Fouling, plugging and asphalt handling problems and the practical methods used to prevent them
- Safety in light hydrocarbon service: leaks, fires, overpressure and solvent handling
- Energy optimisation in solvent recovery and heat integration with other units
- Unit optimisation for margin based on crude slate and downstream unit constraints
- Group exercise: troubleshooting a unit producing high-metal DAO and recommending changes
- Final assessment and discussion of residue upgrading issues at participants' own refineries
Dates and fees
There are no scheduled dates for this course at the moment. Request it as in-house training, or ask us about the next date.
Certificate
Every delegate who attends the full programme receives a Harfard Technology certificate of completion stating the course title, duration, dates and venue.
Frequently asked questions
Will I receive a certificate?
What is the difference between classroom and online?
Can you run this course for our company?
How do I register?
Related courses
Refining & PetrochemicalsRefinery Process Operations
15–19 March 2027 · Istanbul +3 datesRefining & PetrochemicalsGas Processing & Conditioning
1–5 February 2027 · Barcelona +4 datesRefining & Petrochemicals