University of M’hamed Bougara - Boumerdes

Faculty of Hydrocarbons and Chemistry

Lesson n5: Petrochemical Engineering

STH23 2nd semester

1. Definition and Scope of Petrochemical Engineering:

- Petrochemical engineering deals with the production and processing of chemicals derived from
petroleum and natural gas.

- It involves the design, development, operation, and optimization of processes and equipment used
in the petrochemical industry.

- Petrochemical engineers work on various aspects: refining, synthesis, separation, and purification of
petrochemical products.

2. Importance of Petrochemical Engineering:

- Petrochemicals are essential in various industries, including plastics, pharmaceuticals, detergents,

paints, fertilizers...

- Petrochemical engineering plays a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for these products.

- It focuses on developing sustainable and efficient processes to minimize environmental impact.

3. Fundamentals of Petrochemical Engineering:

1. Petrochemical Feedstocks:

- Petroleum and natural gas are the primary source of petrochemical feedstocks.

- Crude oil and refining yields various fractions, including naphtha, gas oil, and light gases, which
serve as raw materials for petrochemicals.

- Natural gas liquids such as ethane, propane, and butane are also important feedstocks.

2. Petrochemical Processes:

- Steam cracking: primarily used to break down larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones, such
as ethylene and propylene, which are fundamental building blocks for various chemical products. In
steam cracking, hydrocarbons are heated to high temperatures and mixed with steam, causing them
to undergo thermal decomposition or "cracking." This process results in the formation of olefins,
such as ethylene, propylene, and butadiene, which are key components in the production of
plastics, synthetic rubbers, and other chemical products.

- Catalytic Reforming: is a crucial process in petrochemical engineering, where hydrocarbons, usually

naphtha, are converted into high-octane gasoline and valuable petrochemical feedstocks using a
catalyst under high temperature and pressure. This process rearranges the molecular structure of the
hydrocarbons to produce compounds like aromatics: Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes.

- Aromatics Production: Involves production like toluene disproportionation and xylene

isomerization to produce benzene, toluene, and xylenes.

- Polymerization: combines small molecules, called monomers to form larger molecules, called
polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

- Alkylation: is a chemical process used to add an alkyl group (a group of carbon and hydrogen
atoms) to a molecule, typically an aromatic compound or an olefin, in the presence of a catalyst to
produce high-octane gasoline components.

- Oxidation: Converts hydrocarbons into oxygenated compounds like alcohols, and acids.

4. Skills of Petrochemical Engineers:

- Chemical Engineering Knowledge

- Process Design and Optimization
- Technical Aptitude
- Problem-Solving
- Safety and Environmental Awareness
- Project Management
- Communication
- Analytical Thinking
- Adaptability
- Continuous Learning

5. Future Trends of Petrochemical Engineering:

- Green and Sustainable Petrochemicals.

- Advanced Process Control and Automation.
- Carbon, Capture, utilization, and Storage.
- Digitalization and Data Analytics.
- Advanced Materials and Catalysts.