9/5/2019

Distillation Characteristics
1. True boiling point distillation (TBP):

ASTM D-2892 (IBP - 400 oC); ASTM D-5236 ("Vacuum Pot Still" can distill the residue from
D2892 up to 565 °C or higher)

Tests conducted on a crude oil to determine its value.
Distillation Characteristics



Provides an estimate of the yields of fractions of various boiling ranges.
Employs a fractionating column having an efficiency of 14 to 18 theoretical plates operated at
a reflux ratio of 5:1.

1 2

Distillation Characteristics Distillation Characteristics

1. True boiling point distillation (TBP): 2. ASTM Distillation:

Batch distillation using a large number of stages
ASTM D-86 (Naphtha and equivalent and
and a high reflux to distillate ratio, so that the kerosene); ASTM D-156 (Atm. Gas oil or
temperature at any point on the temperature – diesel )
volumetric curve represents the actual (true)
boiling point of the hydrocarbon material.
Batch distillation employing no trays or
reflux between still pot and condenser.

It is essential that distillation proceeds at a
constant rate (lower rate produce imperfect
This test is carried out on crude oil fractions
fractionation). using a simple apparatus designed to boil
the test liquid and to condense the vapors

Initially, rate of distillation is very high; but it as they are produced. Vapor temperatures
decreases with increasing boiling point of the are noted as the distillation proceeds and
stock. are plotted against the distillate recovered.
TBP of Saudi Heavy crude oil:

A good rate distillation for atmospheric operation
Only one equilibrium stage is used and no
is 1% distillation in 2 min and under vacuum it reflux is returned; so separation is poorer
drops to 1% in 3 to 5 min. FBP than TBP.

A necessity of vacuum distillation is mainly to
The initial boiling point (IBP) for ASTM is
prevent the thermal degradation of high boiling higher than the corresponding TBP point
streams. and the final boiling point (FBP) of the ASTM
is lower than that for the TBP curve.

TBP graph is needed to design the crude IBP
distillation column. 3 4

1
 9/5/2019

Distillation Characteristics Distillation Characteristics

2. ASTM Distillation:

The measured sample is introduced into an Engler glass flask (A) at 100 ml for the D86 test. 3. Equilibrium Flash Vaporization (EFV):

The liquid fills about two thirds of the flask leaving the space above the liquid to the cork in the
Vapor is kept cohesively with liquid at some temperature and a sudden release of
vessel neck as vapor space.

A thermometer is introduced into the top of the flask and is positioned so that the bulb is directly pressure quickly flashes or separates the vapor from the mixture without any
in line with the vapor off take.

The initial boiling point is read as the temperature measured by the thermometer located in the
rectification.
flask when the first condensate drop enters the receiving cylinder (D) at the end of the
It can be run at pressure above atmospheric and under vacuum.
condensate bath (B).

For light boiling point samples (i.e. naphthas) this receiver is cooled in a water bath (E). For
Separation is poorer than ASTM.
kerosenes the water bath (E) is not required. 650

600 TBP
ASTM
A: Engler glass flask
The test is allowed to proceed at a EFV
550

Temperature ( F)
B: Condenser bath constant rate and temperature readings

o
C: Bunsen burner are taken at predetermined recovery 500
F: Asbestos levels of condensate (usually these
D: Receiving cylinder temperatures will be at 10 vol% 450
E: Water bath
recovered, 30, 50, and 90 vol%
400
recovered).
350

When the flask (A) has been boiled
apparently dry, the temperature shown 300
by the thermometer will rise sharply
250
and then begin to fall. The highest 0 20 40 60 80 100
temperature observed in this rise and
fall is the final boiling point of the % volume distilled 6
sample. 5

Distillation Characteristics Distillation Characteristics

 Different types of boiling point:  Different types of boiling point:

Volume average boiling point (VABP) MABP + CABP

Mean average boiling point (MeABP) MeABP, TB =
t +t +t +t +t +t +t +t +t 2
VABP, TB = 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
9
Cubic average boiling point (CABP)
t20% + t50% + t80%
if such data is not available, TB = 3
3  n 1

CABP, TB =  ∑ viTb3,i 

Weight average boiling point (WABP)  i =1 
vi → volume fraction of component "i"; Tb ,i → boiling point of "i"
t10% + t20% + t30% + t40% + t50% + t60% + t70% + t80% + t90%
WABP, TB =
9
t20% + t50% + t80%
if such data is not available, TB =
3 t70% −t10%
% calculation is based on weight. TBP slope =
60

Molar average boiling point (MABP)

t1 x1 + t2 x2 + t3 x3 + ....
MABP, TB =
x1 + x2 + x3 + ....
x1 , x2 , x3 → mole fraction; t1 , t2 , t3 → boiling point
7 8

2
 9/5/2019

Terminology Used in Analysis Terminology Used in Analysis

 The composition of crude oil and its Mid boiling point:

fractions are not expressed in terms of
pure components, but as ‘cuts’
expressed between a range of boiling
points.

Cut point:
A cut point is defined as that temperature
on the whole crude TBP curve that
represents the limits (upper and lower) of a
fraction to be produced.
End points:

While the cut point is an ideal temperature used to define the yield of a fraction, the end
points are the actual terminal temperatures of a fraction produced commercially.

No process has the capability to separate perfectly the components of one fraction from
adjacent ones.

When two fractions are separated in a commercial process some of the lighter components
remain in the adjacent lighter fraction.

The actual IBP of the fraction will be lower than the initial cut point, and its FBP will be Mid volume percentage: Arithmetic mean of the volume range of each
9 10
higher than the corresponding final cut point. component

Terminology Used in Analysis Three methods of refluxing arrangements for distillation unit
TBP over lap: Difference between final boiling point and initial boiling point of successive 1. Type U tower (Top tray reflux):
fraction
Heat is only removed at the top of the tower; temperature level is too low for heat
recovery.

It employs only top tray reflux from an overhead condenser for total process heat
removal.

Simple in design and operation.

Vapor and liquid traffic throughout the column increases from bottom to top, which
requires sizing the tower.

11 12

3
 9/5/2019

Three methods of refluxing arrangements for distillation unit Three methods of refluxing arrangements for distillation unit
2. Type A System (Pump around reflux): 3. Type R System (Pump back reflux):

Liquid is withdrawn from a tray above the lower draw tray, cooled and returned to a tray
Employed at all draw trays.
further up in the tower but below the upper draw tray

Product is taken from the draw tray and back the reflux before the next tray.

Significantly reduces the vapor and liquid traffic throughout the column; removing heat

All liquids within the tower are true equilibrium reflux liquids and all trays can be
efficiently.

2-3 trays used for heat removal must be considered as only one actual tray for considered as being effective for fractionation purposes.

fractionation purposes. So it has higher number of trays in the column and height.
Operation is costly but provides excellent service.

13
14

Separation Criteria in petroleum fraction Calculation procedure for Characterizing crude oils
Given:
 Degree of separation:
 Whole crude atmospheric TBP curve

Define in terms of product purities or in terms of component recoveries .
 Whole crude API

Greater the degree of separation, the greater will be the recovery of the light  Light end analysis of whole crude
component in the distillate and heavy component in the bottoms. Calculate:

 Degree of difficulty of separation:  Volume % Vs Weight %

 Mid volume % Vs Molecular weight

Defined as the relative difficulty encountered in separating the two compounds in
question, regardless of the purity requirements set by the processes specification. 1. Calculate the characterization factor, K, for the whole crude using the
following technique;

For a fixed separation, tray and reflux requirements increase as the relative volatility a) Calculate Volume average boiling point(VABP) using the 20, 50 and 80 volume %
decreases i.e.,the separation becomes more difficult
TBP temperatures.

Examples; Propane and n-butane separation is easier than propane-propylene but b) Calculate the 10 to 70 slope of the whole crude TBP curve.
more difficult than propane and n-pentane
c) Using the proper correction factor, convert VABP to Mean average boiling point
(MeABP)
d) K is found as function of MeABP and API gravity by use of graph
15
16

4
 9/5/2019

Calculation procedure for Characterizing crude oils

2. Assuming that K remains constant, calculate molecular weight and API

gravity for various boiling range cuts
a) For the TBP range (initial boiling point to 200 0F), Calculate mean ABP, API gravity
and molecular weight. Based on 100 barrels of whole crude.
b) For the TBP range (200 to 300 0F), repeat step 2a.
c) For the TBP range (300 to 400 0F), repeat step 2a,and so on until the entire crude
range has been covered.
d) From these calculations, draw the following curves;
i. Volume% Vs Weight%
ii. Mid volume% Vs Molecular weight

17