Gasoline Blending of Future Libyan Refineries to Satisfy Future Local Demand

Abstract

Production of crude oil and natural gas are expected to be boosted in Libya in near future because of gulf of Sirt future project. National oil company of Libya (NOC) made extensive studies regarding the huge reserves of crude oil and natural gas expected in the field. The study expects a large production of crude oil and natural gas. A contract has been signed to drill 14 offshore wells by two major world companies, Exxon mobile and British petroleum. this study has been conducted to design a new complex refinery to process 500 thousand barrels per day of mixed crude oil produced from desert and offshore. The refinery will consist of Atmospheric distillation column, vacuum unit, catalytic cracking, catalytic reforming, isomerization unit, alkylation and hydrocracking. The main objective of this refinery is to eliminate the shortages of gasoline production in Libya.

This refinery will be able to produce from 100,000 to 170,000 barrels per day of gasoline to cover the consumption needs in the local markets. Gasoline specifications have to be adjusted using MTBE to satisfy the octane number requirement and n-butane to adjust the Reid vapor pressure. Gasoline blending model have been utilized in this paper. Rung Kutta method have been used to model the system and MATLAB soft were is utilized to simulate the system. Libyan requirement of gasoline will be met for many years to come.