Liquid Temperature Control in the Petrochemical Industry
Authored by: Dr. Dirk Frese, VP of Sales, Marketing & Service
Overview
The petrochemical industry plays a vital societal role by supplying a range of essential materials and energy sources. In petrochemical research, precise temperature control is paramount to achieve desired outcomes and ensure optimal safety and efficiency.
This white paper explains the importance of heating and cooling applications in the petrochemical industry and explain the significance of liquid temperature control equipment, including:
- Heating Circulators
- Refrigerated Circulators
- Temperature Control Systems
- Immersion Coolers
- Recirculating Chillers
The paper details the role of temperature control in high-temperature distillations; catalyst research and synthesis; fast endothermic and exothermic reactions; and alternative energy research.
Petrochemical Industry Background
The petrochemical industry encompasses the production and refining of chemical products derived from petroleum and natural gas. It produces a range of materials including plastics, fibers, dyes, detergents, medications, and synthetic rubber. Industry also plays a crucial role in alternative energy research and development, exploring sustainable sources and efficient conversion processes.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Temperature Control in Petrochemical Research
Temperature control is fundamental to ensure:
- Accurate and repeatable experimental outcomes
- Optimize reaction rates
- Minimize the risks associated with exothermic reactions.
Advanced liquid temperature control equipment — such as heating circulators, refrigerated circulators, immersion coolers, and recirculating chillers — are indispensable tools for achieving precise and reliable temperature control in various applications.
Liquid Temperature Control in Petrochemical Testing
Petrochemical testing involves analyzing various properties of crude oil, petroleum products, and related substances. Many of these testing methods, as listed below, require precise temperature control to maintain specific conditions or simulate real-world scenarios. Fluctuations in temperature can significantly impact test results, leading to inaccuracies and potential safety concerns.
Oxidation Stability Testing
Oxidation stability tests — such as ASTM D2440 (Mineral Oil Oxidation Stability), ASTM D943 (Oxidation Characteristics of Inhibited Mineral Oils), and ASTM D4310 (Oxidation Stability of Lubricating Greases) — require precise temperature control to evaluate the resistance of petroleum products to oxidation under elevated temperatures.
JULABO’s precise liquid temperature control equipment, like the CORIO CP-600F for ASTM D2440 and the CORIO CP-300F for ASTM D943 and D4310, provide accurate temperature control and stability for these tests.
Corrosion Testing
Corrosion tests, including ASTM D130 (Copper Strip Corrosion), ASTM D4048 (Copper Strip Corrosion for Lubricating Greases), and IP 227 (Silver Strip Corrosion), assess the corrosive properties of petroleum products on metallic surfaces. The CORIO CP-600F from JULABO offers precise temperature control for these tests, ensuring consistent and reliable corrosion evaluation.
The following image depicts Copper Strip Corrosion Testing.
Photo: Shutterstock
Fuel Oxidation Stability Testing
Tests like ASTM D525 (Oxidation Stability of Gasoline) and ASTM D873 (Oxidation Stability of Aviation Fuels) determine the oxidation stability of fuels under controlled temperature conditions, usually between 98-102 °C. In case of ASTM D525 the pressure in a pressure vessel is recorded until the breaking point; an indicator of the oxidation level and gum formation.
Test ASTM D873 measures the oxidation stability and gum formation by weighing gum and other deposits after the oxidation with oxygen. The CORIO CP-600F and CORIO CD-600F from JULABO provide accurate temperature control for these tests, simulating real-world conditions and enabling reliable assessment of fuel stability.
Grease Oxidation Stability Testing
ASTM D942 (Oxidation Stability of Lubricating Greases) evaluates the resistance of greases to oxidation at elevated temperatures (99°C) in a pressure vessel filled with oxygen at 110 psi. JULABO’s CORIO CP-600F offers precise temperature control for this test, ensuring accurate measurement of grease oxidation stability.
Density and Relative Density Testing
Tests like ASTM D1298 (Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method) and related standards require precise temperature control for accurate density measurements. JULABO’s CORIO CP-600F or CORIO CP-300F circulators provide stable temperature control for these tests, ensuring reliable density and relative density determinations.
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Corrosion Testing
ASTM D1838 (Copper Strip Corrosion by Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and ISO 6251 (Corrosion of copper and copper alloys by liquefied petroleum gases) assess the corrosive effects of LPG on copper surfaces. Copper strips with standardized measurements that are used as copper are especially sensitive to oxidation and can visually reflect the oxidation rate by color change. The PURA series of water baths from JULABO offers precise temperature control for these tests, enabling accurate evaluation of LPG corrosion.
In addition to the PURA series, JULABO offers a range of circulators and temperature control systems suitable for various petrochemical testing applications. For example, the DYNEO DD-449F and MAGIO MS-310F circulators can be used for temperature control in gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) systems — essential analytical techniques in the petrochemical industry.
By providing precise and stable liquid temperature control, JULABO equipment ensures accurate and reproducible results in petrochemical testing methods, contributing to the quality and safety of petroleum products and processes.
Heating and Cooling Importance in High-Temperature Distillations
Overview of High-Temperature Distillations
High-temperature distillations are essential in the petrochemical industry for separating and purifying complex mixtures of hydrocarbons and other materials. These distillations require strict temperature control to achieve optimal separation efficiency and ensure the desired product quality. Heat is applied to vaporize the components, and subsequent cooling must be precisely controlled to condense and collect the purified products.
Role of Temperature Control Equipment
Liquid temperature control equipment — particularly heating circulators and recirculating chillers — are vital to maintain precise and uniform temperatures during high-temperature distillations.
Heating circulators like JULABO’s HT-30 or HT-60 provide accurate and stable temperature control during the vaporization process, ensuring optimal vapor composition. Recirculating chillers of the CORIO, DYNEO or MAGIO range rapidly cool the extracted vapors through condensers or heat exchangers to promote condensation, resulting in high-purity product collection. By utilizing these instruments, researchers and engineers can:
- improve distillation efficiency
- reduce energy consumption
- Optimize the separation process
Heating and Cooling in Catalyst Research and Synthesis
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Catalyst Research and Synthesis in Petrochemical Applications
Catalysts play a pivotal role in the petrochemical industry, facilitating chemical reactions at lower temperatures and increasing reaction rates. Catalyst research and synthesis involve the exploration and development of catalyst materials by testing their efficacy and optimizing their performance in specific reactions. Precise temperature control is crucial during catalyst research and synthesis to ensure accurate evaluation of catalyst behavior and optimize reaction kinetics.
Temperature Control Equipment Role
Heating circulators and refrigerated temperature control systems are key in maintaining precise temperature conditions during catalyst research and synthesis. They enable researchers to:
- Control reaction temperatures
- Examine catalyst performance at various conditions
- Optimize reaction kinetics
Accurate and reliable temperature control allows scientists and engineers to better understand catalyst behavior, enhance catalytic activity, and develop more efficient chemical processes. Possible circulators to be used are JULABO’s CORIO CP-200F circulators.
Heating and Cooling in Endothermic and Fast Exothermic Reactions
Endothermic and Fast Exothermic Reactions in Petrochemical Processes
While many petrochemical reactions are endothermic and require external heating, others are exothermic and release heat as they occur. Fast reactions pose unique challenges due to their rapid nature and can benefit significantly from precise temperature control. Maintaining the desired temperature range is essential to control reaction rate, optimize yield, and ensure safety.
Temperature Control Equipment Role
Liquid temperature control equipment — such as heating circulators and refrigerated or heating circulators and Temperature Control Systems — are vital to achieving precise temperature control in endothermic and fast exothermic reactions. Heating circulators maintain stable temperature conditions during endothermic reactions, enhancing reaction rates and product yields. Refrigerated / heating circulators or Temperature Control Systems rapidly and accurately cool exothermic reactions to prevent overheating, maintain reaction selectivity, and alleviate the risks associated with uncontrolled heat generation or explosions.
Using these temperature control instruments, like the JULABO PRESTO range, enables petrochemical scientists and engineers to optimize reaction conditions, improve safety, and enhance productivity.
Importance of Heating and Cooling in Alternative Energy Research
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Alternative Energy Research in the Petrochemical Industry
The transformation toward alternative and sustainable energy sources is a critical focus for the petrochemical industry. These are for example non-fossil replacements of the current materials as there are electrolytic hydrogen, captured CO2 (directly form air or industrial processes), waste biomass and ethanol as well as other alcohols produced by fermentation.
Researchers are unlocking new materials, catalysts, and conversion processes to develop efficient and environmentally friendly energy solutions for fossil-fuel reliant industries. Examples include plastics, cosmetics, chemicals, and more. Temperature control is crucial in alternative energy research by enabling the characterization of materials and optimizing energy conversion reactions.
Temperature Control Equipment Role
Temperature control equipment, including heating circulators and refrigerated circulators, are instrumental in alternative energy research. They help researchers simulate various reaction conditions, measure material properties within precise temperature ranges, and optimize energy conversion processes.
By maintaining accurate and stable temperature conditions, alternative energy researchers can obtain valuable insights, enhance the performance of energy materials, and advance sustainable energy technologies.
Conclusion
Precise temperature control is vital in the petrochemical industry to enhance process efficiency, optimize reaction rates, and ensure safety. Liquid temperature control equipment — such as heating circulators, refrigerated circulators, immersion coolers, and recirculating chillers — contribute significantly to achieving accurate and reliable temperature control in various applications.
From high-temperature distillations to catalyst research and synthesis, fast reactions, and alternative energy research, these instruments enable scientists and engineers to optimize processes, enhance product quality, and advance the petrochemical industry toward more sustainable and efficient practices.
By recognizing the crucial role of temperature control equipment, petrochemical researchers can unlock new possibilities and drive innovation in this dynamic field.
