Shell crude distillation unit

New designs and revamps

The Shell bulk-crude distillation unit is a highly integrated Why use Shell bulk-crude distillation
concept that is considerably cheaper than alternative technology?
designs. Compared with stand-alone units, the integration
■ The Shell bulk CD unit integrated design concept
of a crude distillation (CD) unit with a hydrodesulphurisation
is considerably cheaper than alternative designs.
(HDS) unit, a high-vacuum (HV) unit and a visbreaker (VB)
unit results in a 50% reduction in equipment count and ■ The heat integration used reduces the energy
significantly reduced operating costs. Tailor-made designs consumption by 15%.
are produced for each application. ■ The application of reboiled product strippers on the
HDF minimises the amount of sour water production.
Process description ■ The use of Shell high-capacity trays results in a 10%
The basic concept of the bulk CD unit is the separation of smaller column diameter than with conventional trays.
the naphtha minus and the long residue from the middle ■ In CD unit revamps, throughput increases of up to 25%
distillate fraction, which is routed to the HDS unit (see have been achieved with Shell trays.
Figure1). After desulphurisation in the HDS unit, the final
■ More than 30 years of operational experience with
product separation of the bulk middle distillate stream from
integrated refinery concepts exist within the Shell Group.
the CD unit takes place in the HDS fractionator (HDF). This
consists of a main atmospheric fractionator with side
strippers. The long residue is routed hot to a HV unit, which
recovers the waxy distillate fraction as feedstock for a
catalytic cracker or hydrocracker unit.

Figure 1: A schematic
Fuel
of the Shell bulk-crude gas
distillation unit.

LPG
Rec. NHT

Tops

H
C D Kerosene
D F Naphtha
Crude HDS to platformer
U
Light gasoil
Vac.
Heavy gasoil
Diesel
H
Long V Kerosene
Distillate
residue U HCU
Storage Gasoil
Short Visbreaker unit Bleed
residue
VBU flash column

Visbroken
residue
 Table 1: CD units designed by Shell Global Solutions.
Country Capacity Feedstock Year Type
t/d bbl/d

Saudi Arabia 2 x 18,500 2 x 130,000 Arab light 1984 Two-column CD unit

New Zealand 4500 32,000 Arab light 1985 Single-column CD unit
South Africa 6200 43,000 Middle East 1993 Bulk CD unit (integrated with HDS and lube oil HV unit)
Philippines 15,000 105,000 Middle East 1995 Bulk CD unit (integrated with HDS and TG unit)
Thailand 20,000 140,000 Arab light 1996 Bulk CD unit (integrated with HDS, HV unit and VB unit)
Thailand 20,000 140,000 Arab light Deferred Bulk CDU (integrated with HDS)
Singapore 8300 70,000 Condensate 2000 Condensate splitter
South Africa 21,000 147,000 Murban Deferred Single-column CD unit
Argentina 11,000 77,000 Nigerian light Deferred Single-column CD unit
Canada 33,000 230,000 Heavy feed 2002 Two-column CD unit

Table 2: CD units revamped by Shell Global Solutions.

Country Capacity Feedstock Year Type
t/d bbl/d

Malaysia 11,000 77,000 Arab heavy 1987 Two-column CD unit

Denmark 10,000 70,000 North Sea 1991 Single-column CD unit
Malaysia 11,000 77,000 Labuan 1992 Two-column CD unit
Thailand 7500 53,000 Kuwait/SLEB 1993 Single-column CD unit
Singapore 16,000 112,000 Arab light 1993 Two-column CD unit
Australia 11,000 77,000 Murban 1994 Single-column CD unit
New Zealand 8500 60,000 Murban and condensate 1996 Single-column CD unit
Argentina 10,000 70,000 Rio Negro 1996 Single-column CD unit
Thailand 23,000 160,000 Oman/Arun Deferred Single-column CD unit
South Africa 17,500 123,000 Middle East 1997 Single-column CD unit
Germany 15,000 105,000 North Sea 1998 Single-column CD unit
USA 38,000 270,000 Maya 1999 Single-column CD unit
Germany 11,000 77,000 North Sea 2000 Bulk CD unit (integrated with HDS)
India 47,000 330,000 Arab heavy/Maya 2002 Single-column CD unit

Experience
More than 100 Shell CD units have been designed and
put into operation (see Tables 1 and 2). Post start-up advice
and technical services for existing units are available from
Shell Global Solutions.

Please contact Shell Global Solutions for further information

Shell Global Solutions International BV

Tel: +31 70 377 2470 Shell Global Solutions is a network of independent technology companies in
the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. In this fact sheet, the expression ‘Shell Global
Shell Global Solutions (Singapore) (Pte) Ltd Solutions’ is sometimes used for convenience where reference is made to
Tel: +65 6384 8803 these companies in general, or where no useful purpose is served by
identifying a particular company.
Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.
Tel: +1 281 544 8844 This document is intended for general information purposes only and does
not in any way constitute an offer to provide specific services. Some services
Email us at distillation@[Link] may not be available in certain countries or political subdivisions thereof.

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