The HyLube - method

Developed by UOP, residue-free and continuous refining process can be simply described in three steps:

1 Evaporation of the quality-controlled raw material with hot hydrogen

Intensive mixing of the untreated raw material in nearly 480 C hot hydrogen / recycle gas stream to about C40 hydrocarbons are transferred into the gas phase and freed in the flash separator of heavier compounds and other contaminants. These heavy, asphaltic components can be further processed as asphalt modifier. Hydrogen environment prevents both in the first and in the second process deposits and coking.

2 Catalytic hydroprocessing
In the multi-stage high-pressure part of the system, the gaseous hydrocarbons are first of remaining impurities and metal compounds isolated (Guard Reactor) and desulfurized. then be made using patented hydrogenation deep saturation (Conversion Reactor) of olefins and aromatics with subsequent hydrofinished correspondingly high temperatures and pressures. This is accompanied with deep desulfurization and removal of other heteroatoms.

3 Product recovery
By depressurization in the hot separator, the purified liquid hydrocarbon mixture is then separated in a 50-meter-high vacuum column in gas oil and three base oil core sections. The emerged in the process reaction gases are washed out in the gas scrubbing and separated from the mineral spirits in the cold separator. , The excess hydrogen is recycled to the beginning of the cycle. All product fractions are purified by downstream side stripper again. Puralubes HyLube process differs which are used by traditional recycling facilities by the typical process steps (dehydration, thin film evaporation, finishing). The HyLube process is a single-stage and continuous production process (not batch mode and no intermediate storage is necessary!) Is hydrogen is already supplied at the beginning of the method The HyLube method has a very compact box process, whereby the space requirement is minimized in the construction of the plant. By licensor guarantees and 8 years experience in operation of the refinery, there is a very high process safety.

 With the HyLube process both desulfurized base oils and co-products are produced. Puralube base oils excel in the quality of both conventional SN base oils (API Group I) from the primary refining and classic recycled base oils. The pure base oils can be used in a range of modern lubricant applications such as machine oils, hydraulic fluids and process oils that meet the highest requirements in tribological systems.

1. Pre-Treatment
Intimate mixing of hot hydrogen gas with the feed to 480 deg C and 80 bar pressure results in the separation of the high value lubricating oil molecules in a high pressure / high temperature environment, which avoids coking and fouling. The inorganic molecules, metals and heavy asphaltic components (bottoms) are separated before entering the catalytic section and are desirable for use as paving grade asphalts.

2. Catalytic Hydroprocessing
In the multi-stage, high-pressure system, the gaseous hydrocarbon materials are initially separated from the residual impurities and metal compounds (guard reactor), and then processed for desulphurization. Using patented hydrogenation catalysts, a deep saturation of olefins and aromatics is achieved (conversion reactor), which are then hydrofinished at adequate high temperatures and pressures. These processes involve intense desulphurization and elimination of other heteroatoms of all base oil fractions.

3. Product Recovery and Finishing

After depressurisation, whereby the surplus hydrogen is scrubbed to remove the chlorides and sulphides generated in the hydrogenation stages, the hydrogen is used as a recycle gas. The purified liquid lube boiling range fractions are passed through different further process steps and are segregated in the vacuum distillation to produce the very narrow boiling range lube stocks desired by the industry. Diesel produced in the hydrogenation stage has a very high cetane blending value as well as

Advantages of PURALUBE HyLube technology compared to other currently used technologies:

PURALUBEs HyLube process differs from typical process steps used by conventional re -refining processes

HyLube process operates continuously (no batch-wise production and no intermediate storage tanks necessary Hydrogen is injected at the beginning of the process HyLube = very compact plant (process field) = minimization of land use Licensor warranties combined with the know-how and experience of PURALUBE based on 10+ years of operating experience minimizes risks

Process offers desulphurized products + by-products PURALUBE base oils outperform both other (classic) re-refined base oils and virgin SN oils (API group I) PURALUBE base oils are suitable for modern applications like engine oils, hydraulic fluids or process oils