Production technologies and refining processes for petroleum

Abstract

There is a growing demand for qualified workforce in the petrochemical and new energy sectors in Brazil, driven by advancements in pre-salt exploration that require extensive knowledge not only in oil extraction but also in its transportation, primary processing, and refining. With the challenges arising from pre-salt and those already existing, there is a need for professionals capable of determining and understanding petroleum properties so that such processes can be improved or new ones can be developed. At a time when energy is a major concern, knowledge of alternatives energies sources is crucial, especially in the process design or utility management, which can lead to significant energy and environmental gains. Additionally, in terms of energy, there is a demand linked to oil exploration and refining for a more comprehensive approach to energy issues, where other renewable energy sources such as biofuels and energy storage systems are being consolidate as new business models. Therefore, knowledge about its management and the technologies involved becomes imperative. The energy sector is undergoing a transformation that, due to technological complexity, and the costs related to energy and the existing and required infrastructure cannot be abrupt. Given the need for change in the energy sector, environmental concerns cannot be overlooked. It is important to train professionals who possess knowledge of the environmental risks involved in petroleum processing and are dedicated to actively pursuing viable alternatives to make the entire energy production chain more environmentally friendly, while also aiming to maintain or reduced current costs. It is important to mention emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0, coprocessing of vegetable oil or lignocellulosic bio-oil, greenhouse gas emission reduction, CO2 capture, storage, and utilization, and the search for new (green) solvents. These topics can lead to significant advances in the sector, along with the development or conscientious use of new computational tools for predicting properties of biofuels and petroleum and its derivatives, simulating flow dynamics and reaction rates in FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) processes, as well as assessing risks and preventing accidents, alongside conscientious use of process simulators. These contents and tools are essential for any intended technological breakthrough in the energy sector (oil, natural gas, and biofuels). In summary, the goal of this project is to contribute to qualified human resources (undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels) to work in the Brazilian energy sector, by means of the research lines developed by professors at the School of Chemical Engineering (FEQ/Unicamp). These are current topics that encompass the production, transportation, refining, and processing of oil and natural gas, also applicable to biofuels and renewable energies. All these themes will be directly or indirectly addressed in the proposed courses and research projects, aiming to prepare human resources for the new challenges in the energy sector. (AU)