Fuels & Lubricants Magazine

2018 

Fuels 

&Lubricants 

JOURNAL FOR TRIBOLOGY, LUBRICATION, APPLICATION OF LIQUID AND GASEOUS FUELS 

AND COMBUSTION ENGINEERING 

October 2018 ISSN 2584-4512 

Issue No. 3

EDITOR’S LETTER 

Dear readers, 

The new issue of Fuels and Lubricants Magazine focuses on fast and dynamic 

changes in the oil and gas industry, primarily on the shift to renewable 

energy. Stricter targets for the reduction of the emissions are fast approaching 

and they will pose challenges for the companies and authors, encouraging 

them, consequently, to explore new opportunities using present technology. 

The processing of different non-mineral feeds has become the norm. The 

Green corner covers the possibility of processing used cooking oil as a feedstock, 

as well as its advantages and constraints. 

The legislation has become more stringent and the European Union is at the 

forefront of the efforts to regulate all aspects of the industry. The Regulation 

corner covers the introduction of Fuel labelling standard EN 16942 which 

introduced graphical labels for fuel quality. The goal was to facilitate the 

identification of fuel and vehicle compatibility all over Europe, thus avoiding 

traps of commercial fuel names in national languages. The same graphic label 

should be used on the fuel dispenser on the petrol station and on the cap of 

the fuel tank of the car. 

Professional training and development has shifted, although not completely, 

from the classroom towards online learning, thus allowing the professionals 

to personalize their learning process. We had an interesting conversation 

with Mr Donald Glaser about a special approach to engineers’ training on 

the processing units with “Hands on Training System”. With the “Hands on 

Training System”, engineers and control room operators are able to learn 

through practical experience about specific unit start-ups, shutdowns, emergency 

response, control system operability, hazardous analysis of key units 

and procedures validation. 

These are only some of the highlights covered in the new issue of the Magazine. 

We hope you will enjoy browsing, exploring and reading many other 

interesting and informative articles. 

I would also like to invite you to participate at the Symposium Fuels 2018 

which will provide you with an opportunity to meet downstream executives 

and professionals, technology solution providers, regulators, and government 

representatives, academia representatives and researchers. 

It is worth noting that the keynote speeches and presentations are prepared 

by the leading professionals in the industry. Not only will you be able to see 

an exhibition of the leading technology equipment, meet solution providers 

and attend networking events, but you will also have an inspiring professional 

experience. I hope you will enjoy your stay in Opatija. 

Sanda Telen 

Editor in Chief 

Fuels&Lubricants No. 3 OCTOBER 2018 1

CONTENTS 

4 

High Pressure 

Influence on Oil 

Solidification 

Jiri Valdauf 

Tomas Lokajicek 

10 

Regulation Corner 

New European Fuel 

Labelling Standard 

12 

Lube Corner 

The Impact of Safety 

and Environmental 

Laws and Guidelines 

on the Formulation and 

Application of 

Metalworking Fluids 

14 

Interview 

Using Simulator Training 

Exercises in Education 

of Engineers and Control 

Room Operators 

18 

Legislation Corner 

Legislation Related to 

Oil and Gas, Fuels and 

Lubricants Business 

24 

Green Corner 

The Processing 

Possibilities of Using Used 

Cooking Oil to Produce 

Hydrotreated Vegetable 

Oil as Fuel 

30 

Fuels Corner 

Global Initiatives: 

Assessing Current & Future 

Global Initiatives on 

Fuels & Vehicles 

32 

News Corner 

36 

Technology Corner 

Application of Process 

Modeling and Simulation 

through the Life-Cycle of 

a Process 

Fuels and Lubricants 

October 2018 

Issue No. 3 

Fuels and Lubricants: Journal for 

Tribology, Lubrication, Application 

of Liquid and Gaseous Fuels and 

Combustion Engineering 

Founder and Publisher: 

GOMA - Croatian Society for Fuels 

and Lubricants 

Berislavićeva 6 

HR-10000 Zagreb 

Email: goma@goma.hr 

Tel: +385 1 4873 549 

Fax: +385 1 4872 503 

Editorial Team: 

Sanda Telen, Editor in chief 

Ivana Lukec 

Bruno Novina 

Graphic Design: 

Kristina Babić 

Printer: 

Kerschoffset 

Abstracting & Indexing Services: 

EBSCO Host © , ProQuest: Technology 

Research Database, Engineering 

Research Database, Materials Research 

Database, Ab stracts in New Technology 

& Engineering, Mechanical & 

Transportation Engineering Abstracts... 

All enquiries and requests for advertising 

should be addressed to: 

Bruno Novina 

Email: bruno@goma.hr 

Phone: +385 98 404 786 

Annual subscription: 25 € (185 kn) 

ISSN 2584-4512 

UDK 621 + 66 (05) 

2 Fuels&Lubricants No. 3 OCTOBER 2018

CORNER

High Pressure Influence 

on Oil Solidification 

Jiri Valdauf 

LUBRICANT s.r.o., 

Stary Plzenec, 

Czech Republic 

jiri@valdauf.cz 

Tomas Lokajicek 

INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY, 

Prague, Czech Republic 

Summary 

There are many theoretical, but 

only a few practical data available 

about the very high pressure 

influence on lubricating oil viscosity, 

respectively our task was to 

find oil, which is able to withstand 

the most conditions in liquid 

state without getting solidification. 

Transformer oil was used for 

transmission of very high pressure 

on mineral rocks in tri axial pressure 

chamber. But it was found the 

transformer oil is possible to use 

only up to 420 MPa, in a system 

designated for 700 MPa. The 

change of oil state from liquid to 

solid was the reason of this limit. 

The detailed analysis of different 

oils properties is discussed to 

choose the right oil at the right 

conditions for it. 

Foreword 

Recently we have got unusual 

request from Academy of Sciences 

of the Czech Republic, Institute of 

Geology to offer the best liquid for 

their high pressure system of tri axial 

chamber, which simulates conditions 

deeply inside of the Earth, to 

study the forming of rocks at very 

high pressure and for the temperatures 

range 20 °C – 200 °C. Transformer 

oil was originally used for this 

system, but this oil is impossible to 

use above 420 MPa, because they 

found it is getting to be changed 

from liquid to solid state under these 

arduous conditions. 

High Pressure System 

Description 

High pressure system was developed 

for the study of elastic anisotropy on 

rocks in Czech Academy of Science. 

The high pressure system consists 

of two parts. One is the high pressure 

generator and the second is 

high pressure vessel with measuring 

and positioning unit. It is designed 

for maximum output of hydrostatic 

pressure up to 700 MPa. High pressure 

generator has two stages. The 

first stage is hydraulic unit generating 

250 bars. The second stage is 

pressure intensifier with the ratio 


1:28.4. Internal volume of the high 

pressure part is 1 litre. 3 m long pipe 

with 1 mm inner diameter connects 

intensifier with pressure vessel. The 

transformer oil was chosen, because 

of a request for very low electric 

conductivity of pressure liquid. Due 

to the medium used, and its high 

viscosity increase, the high pressure 

system was able to operate reliably 

up to 420 MPa only. 

(except poles) by means of 1 – 3 pairs 

of ultrasonic sensors with longitudinal 

or transversal polarisation, see 

Lokajíček and Svitek, 2015. [1] 

The mechanical cup of the vessel 

has 24 electric feedthroughs, what 

enables to have all movable parts 

located inside the vessel. Two step 

motors are used there, the first for positioning/rotating 

the sphere and the 

second one for sensors positioning. 

Transformer Oil Description 

The main data of transformer oil, 

which was used as power transmission 

oil, are in Table 1: 

Table 1 

Transformer Oil Technol 2000 

Kin. Viscosity at 40 °C mm 2 /s 9.62 

Kin. Viscosity at 100 °C mm 2 /s 2.37 

Viscosity index 41 

Pour Point °C -45 

Flash Point, COC °C 143 

Density at 20 °C kg/m 3 874 

C A 

% 5 

C N 

% 45 

C P 

% 50 

Regarding the data, it is low visco sity 

naphtenic oil. 

Figure 1: High pressure vessel with high 

pressure multiplier on the left and tri axial 

chamber – up. 

Even higher pressure was generated 

no movement of the pressure 

intensifier piston of had been 

monitored for a very long time. The 

ambient oil temperature increased 

to 30 °C approximately. 

Pressure generation is controlled 

by Siemens controller. High pressure 

vessel has an internal volume 

about 2 litres. The important part of 

the vessel is measuring and positioning 

head, which enables ultrasonic 

sounding of spherical sample with 

diameter 50 mm in any direction 

The Summary of Oil 

Requirements 

Customer Requirements for Oil 

Geology Institute specifies its 

request very simple, only by low 

conductivity and the oil resistance 

against high pressure, but finally we 

have discussed: 

• Electrical conductivity as low as 

possible 

• The fluid should be liquid till at 

least 700 MPa 

• Very high VI to cover wide temperature 

range 

• Lifetime of the oil 1 year at least 

• Oil compatibility with rubber 

sealing 

Oil Conductivity 

Low polar, mineral base oils, PAO, 

perfluoropolyether, ester oils and 

silicone oils are suitable; highly polar 

polyalkyleneglycol oils and water 

based liquids are not suitable for it. 

No data about high pressure influence 

on conductivity have been 

found. 

Viscosity – Pressure 

Relationship 

The critical point, why the pressurized 

system was not able to operate 

at really very high pressure was 

about transformer oil behaviour at 

high pressures. Oil viscosity increases 

with pressure exponentially till oil 


Table 2: Pressure limit for some oils at around 20°C 

Hydraulic oil Shell Tellus 27 ISO VG 32 520 MPa 

Castor oil (first cut) ? (

mm 2 /s, authors [4] attempted to extrapolate 

the coefficient α to other oil 

viscosities as well. The results are on 

Pictures 4 and 5. Picture 4 shows the 

correlation between viscosity-pressure 

coefficient α and kinematic 

viscosity of these oils at 200 MPa. 

Picture 5 shows the same correlation 

at 600 MPa. Both charts are valid for 

the temperature range 25 – 80 °C. 

Figure 4: Pressure coefficient at 200 MPa 

N - naphtenic oil 

SI - silicone oil 

M - paraffinic mineral oil 

PAO - polyalfaolefine oil 

ES - ester oil 

PG - polyalkyleneglycol oil 

MPa are PG, Ester or PAO synthetic 

oils. Paraffinic mineral oil is worse 

and naphtenic is the worst. 

All these oils were measured the 

same way as paraffinic mineral oil 

in Figure 3, but as there are not any 

data about solidification, it is issued 

only brief description based of high 

viscosity measurement. 

The best was polyglycol oil with 

KV40°C = 100 mm 2 /s. Its viscosity 

400 000 mPa.s was reached at 500 

MPa for oil temperature 26.8 °C. 

The pressure 800 MPa increased 

the viscosity only to 20 000 mPa.s at 

70.2 °C. The worst was silicone oil 

with KV 40 °C = 120 mm 2 /s, which 

reached viscosity 400 000 mPa.s 

already at half pressure than PG oil 

– at 250 MPa (and at 26.8 °C). The 

higher temperature = 70.1 °C improves 

its behaviour to get viscosity 

400 000 mPa.s at 430 MPa. 

Following the Picture 3 it is possible 

to estimate the curve of paraffinic 

mineral oil with KV40 °C = 9.62 

mm 2 /s. The shape and slope of this 

curve will be similar as the curve belongs 

to the temperature 37 °C, but 

the starting point is shifted down to 

10 1 mPa.s, it can be calculated more 

exactly as 8.40 mPa.s. The solidification 

point deducted from the chart is 

at 520 MPa. 

Figure 5: The same chart for 600 Mpa 

Literature Data Discussion 

The lowest viscosity-pressure 

coefficient at normal conditions (see 

Picture 4) shows very low viscosity 

silicone oil, but there are doubts 

about its very high pressure behavior, 

especially when higher viscosity 

silicone oils have really enormous 

steep slope of viscosity-pressure 

relationship. This is strange, because 

generally all other oils show 

the higher is viscosity index, the 

lower is coefficient α. It is confirmed 

by Stepina [2] as well. Maybe the 

structure based on Si-O exhibit 

different relationship. Nevertheless 

the lubricating properties of low 

viscosity silicone oil or even silicone 

solvent are poor and that is why it is 

impossible to recommend it for this 

expensive apparatus. 

Following the Picture 5 the best 

candidates for the range of temperatures 

25 °C – 80 °C and pressure 600 

Data Comparison and 

Evaluation 

The temperature of actually used 

transformer oil was 30 °C, kinematic 

viscosity was 13.7 mm 2 /s (12.0 

mPa.s) at that temperature. Solidification 

Point from the chart (Figure 3) 

is at 490 MPa, if it would be paraffinic 

oil. See Figure 6. As the transformer 

oil is naphtenic origin, then lower 

pressure can be expected to cause 

solidification. 420 – 460 MPa is expected 

pressure which cause solidification 

of transformer oil at 30 °C. 

This value is in a very good agreement 

with experiment. The pressure 

interval between 420 – 500 MPa is 

caused by increasing temperature 


of the oil. The starting temperature 

was 25 °C, but it was increasing as 

pre ssure generators were heated up 

within the time. Usually it takes 1 

hour to get max. pressure. 30 °C is 

an average temperature at the end. 

Figure 6: An estimation of solidification 

point of low viscosity paraffinic oil 

As the conductivity of polyglycol 

and ester oils seems to be too high, 

low viscosity PAO was the target to 

check its qualification for very high 

pressure test machine in Geology 

Institute. 

PAO shows more favourable 

viscosity pressure relationship than 

mineral oil. Figure 7 shows curves 

of PAO with KV40 °C = 100 mm 2 /s 

(gear oil), which reached viscosity 

200 000 mPa.s at 520 MPa and 

24.7 °C, 760 MPa at 47.2 °C and 

only 25 000 mPa.s at 76 °C. 

The estimation of dynamic viscosity 

and oil formulation for the 

curve at 30°C was done on this chart 

by green colour – it results in low 

viscosity PAO (< 15 mm 2 /s at 40 °C) 

and the oil should be improved by 

polymeric viscosity index improvers. 

Then it is expected the oil can 

stay liquid in the pressure up to 700 

MPa and for the temperature 30 °C 

and higher. 

Figure 7: Dynamic viscosity of gear oil 971. 

PAO.100 (polyalphaolefin) at 24.7, 47.2, and 

76.0 ˚C as a function of pressure. Comparison 

of experimental data and fit by the modulus 

equation 

Viscosity – Temperature 

Relationship 

Molecules shape influences viscosity 

– temperature (VT) relationship. 

Molecules with ball like shape 

has steep VT curve. Aromatic and 

naphtenic molecules are an example 

of it. On the other hand, isoalkanes 

and n-paraffines especially, which 

have long hydrocarbon chain inside, 

create long molecules. Such shape 

of molecules has higher resistance 

against flow, especially at higher 

temperatures. That is why; the 

change of oil viscosity with temperature 

is flatter than for ball like 

molecules. High viscosity index, (flat 

VT relationship) have synthetic oils 

based on polymers. Polymers create 

small clusters at low temperatures, 

which flow easily, but clusters are 

spread into fibre like structures at 

higher temperatures. It results in 

high resistance against flow; it means 

in high viscosity at high temperature. 

That is why polymer based 

hydraulic oils have higher viscosity 

index than mineral base stock. Similarly 

the higher is viscosity index, 

the lower is viscosity –pressure 

coefficient α, because of relationship 

between the coefficient of thermal 

expansion (free space in fluids) and 

α. Viscosity index increases in raw: 

naphtenic, paraffinic, PAO, esters, 

polyglycol, silicone oils. 

Oil Lifetime and Pressure 

Temperature and pressure accelerate 

oil oxidation and ageing. Usually 

10% of oil volume is dissolved 

air in mineral oil at 20 °C. The air is 

compressible and dissolves in the oil 

if the pressure increases. That is why 

unstable low boiling oils are avoided 

to use. The oil should be rid of the 

oxygen, like purging by inert gas. 

Oil Compatibility with Sealing 

As NBR sealing were used there, 

highly polar, low viscosity ester oils 

are avoided to use. The second solution 

is to change sealing to fluorinated 

ones, which are more resistant 

to different types of oils. 

Lubricating Properties 

The pressure intensifier has not 

special requirements for high pressure 

medium – any hydraulic oil was 

originally recommended. As transformer 

oil lubricate properly, maybe 

oil with even lower viscosity could be 

used there. 

The Final Choice of Oil 

1. Transformer oil changed his state 

from liquid to solid at pressure 

above 420 Mpa and at 30 °C. It 

was confirmed by comparison 

with other experimental data 

found in literature. 

2. Viscosity-pressure relationship 

depends on temperature of measurements, 

on oil viscosity and on 

chemical formulation of oil. 

3. As lower is temperature as higher 

is pressure influence and easier is 

oil solidification. 

4. As lower is oil viscosity as lower is 

pressure influence. 


5. Polyglycole oils, ester oils and 

PAO show less viscosity increase 

with pressure than paraffinic and 

naphtenic mineral oil. Silicone oil 

is the worst. 

Considering all details to choose the 

best oil, which is able to work up to 

700 Mpa (7000 bars) at normal and 

elevating temperatures, it is possible 

to recommend any aircraft hydraulic 

oil, based on narrow cut of isoparaffines 

and polymer viscosity index 

improver, like AMG 10. Other oils 

formulated on PAO dimer could suit 

as well. 

The knowledge of solidification 

point gained experimentally in this 

equipment can be valuable for studies 

of EP and antiseize properties of 

oils. 

Literature 

[1] Lokajíček, T., and Svitek, T. 

(2015), Laboratory measurement 

of elastic anisotropy on spherical 

rock samples by longitudinal and 

transverse sounding under confining 

pressure, Ultrasonics, 56, 

294-302. 

[2] Štěpina, V. and Veselý, V.: Lubricants 

and Special Fluids, Vol. 23, 

Elsevier 1992. ISBN 0-444-98674- 

X 

[3] Spikes, H.: Basics of EHL for 

practical application, Lubrication 

Science, Vol. 27, Issue 1,p. 45-67. 

Jan. 2015 

[4] Gold, P.W., Schmidt, A., Dicke, 

H., Loos, J., Assman, C.,: Viscosity 

-Pressure-Temperature Behaviour 

of Mineral and Synthetic Oils. J. 

Synthetic Lubrication 18-1, p. 51- 

79, April 2001. 


REGULATION CORNER 

New European Fuel 

Labelling Standard 

Adriana Petrović 

adriana.petrovic@ina.hr 

Fuel labelling has to assist the consumers 

at a filling station in recognizing the compatible 

fuel for their vehicle. Consumers 

just have to match the identifier-graphical 

symbol from their vehicle filler flap, with 

the same symbol on the fuel dispenser and 

nozzle. 

PETROL TYPE OF FUEL 

DIESEL TYPE OF FUEL 

GASEOUS FUEL 

Have you seen these symbols already? Where? On filling 

stations and your new car filler’s flap? They should be 

there, as of October 12, 2018. 

The labels are visible, simple and easy to remember. 

That was the purpose of the EU Standard 16942, known 

as Fuel labelling, to launch graphical expression for consumer 

information. The goal was to facilitate the identification 

of fuel and vehicle compatibility all over Europe, 

avoiding traps of commercial fuel names in national 

languages. 

The EU 16942 Standard based on Article 7 of Directive 

2014/94/EU lays down harmonized identifiers 

for market liquid and gaseous fuels to support fuel and 

vehicle compatibility identification. 

The identifiers have to be affixed on the nozzle and 

on the dispenser on refuelling points and on the fuel 

filler cap or filler flap on vehicles (in vehicle manuals as 

well). The identifiers for fuels within filling stations and 

identifiers on filler flaps on vehicles are identical to support 

recognition. The identifiers will be placed on newly 

produced vehicles or vehicles placed on the market after 

October 2018. 

Identifiers are represented through graphical symbols, 

with defined shapes and symbol contents, consisting of 

letters and numbers: 

• Circle for petrol type of fuels; Symbol “ EX” 

• Square for diesel type of fuels; Symbo “BX” 

• 90˚-angled diamond for gaseous type fuels; Symbol in 

letters ( name abbreviation) 

“EX” in circles stands for E, for Ethanol and X, replaced 

with the number of maximum ethanol (as bio-component) 

content in volume percentage allowed in the 

concerned fuel 


REGULATION CORNER 

The identifiers have 

to be affixed on the 

nozzle and on the 

dispenser on refuelling 

points and on the fuel 

filler cap or filler flap 

on vehicles. 

PHOTOS: WWW.FUEL-IDENTIFIERS.EU 

“BX” in squares stands for B,for Biodiesel and X, 

replaced with the number of maximum Biodiesel (FAME 

as bio-component) content in volume percentage allowed 

in the concerned fuel 

Symbols for gaseous fuels are LPG (liquefied petroleum 

gas), LNG (liquefied natural gas), CNG (compressed 

natural gas) and H 2 (Hydrogen). 

The identifiers shall be executed in black, outer edge 

and content, on white (or silver) background. The EU 

16942 standard, prescribes minimal sizes and font in 

Latin script, but that information is intended for obliged 

operators to follow while preparing the labels. 

European countries and CEN/CENELEC members 

are bound to implement the Standard EU 16942. The 

fuel labelling should be implemented in the national annexes 

of the relevant fuel specification standard for the 

respective fuel used in road transport (diesel fuel, motor 

gasoline, Automotive LPG). 

To conclude, the aim of the fuel labelling is to assist 

consumers at a filling station in recognizing the compatible 

fuel for their vehicle. Consumers just need to match 

the identifier-graphical symbol from their vehicle filler 

flap with the same symbol on the fuel dispenser and nozzle. 

Then they can be certain the selected fuel is compatible 

with their car’s needs. 

The details of the Fuel labelling system is available 

on: www.upei.org, www.acea.be, www.acem. 

eu and www.fuelseurope.eu. Fore Croatia, the details 

could be found on www.hup.hr, www.hak.hr and 

www.mzoip.hr. 

Examples: Fuel identifiers on 

nozzle, filler flap and dispenser. 

The fuel labelling 

should be implemented 

in the national annexes 

of the relevant fuel 

specification standard 

for the respective fuel 

used in road transport. 


LUBE CORNER 

The Impact of Safety and 

Environmental Laws and 

Guidelines on the Formulation 

and Application of 

Metalworking Fluids 

Ljiljana Pedišić 

pedisicljiljana@gmail.com 

Safety and environmental requirements 

became increasingly important in 

metalworking fluid formulation and 

application. 

Metalworking fluids are used for cooling, lubricating, 

particle rinsing and corrosion protection at a 

wide range of metalworking operations from drilling 

till broaching or rolling on a different type of materials. 

They consist of base fluids, surface-active compounds, 

corrosion inhibitors, lubricating additives, biocides, 

defoamers and other components. Safety and environmental 

requirements became increasingly important 

in metalworking fluid formulation and application. 

The trends towards high performance lubricants which 

meets demands of processes designs and decrease costs 

require a new generation of metalworking fluids, too. 

The development of such fluid starts with a selection 

of less harmful components that will ensure high application 

properties, and provide a simple method of their 

maintenance and disposal after metalworking process. 

The greatest impact of the new regulations on metalworking 

fluids lies in the cutting down of components 

that have been successfully applied for a long time, as are 

compounds based on chlorine, boron, nitrites, diethanolamine, 

compounds with the aromatic nucleus, etc. 

Therefore in the formulation of modern metalworking 

fluids, a lot of usual components should be changed with 


LUBE CORNER 

less harmful components. Widely used alkylbenzene 

sulphonates as emulsifiers can be replaced with fatty acid 

esters, carboxylates, and others. Base fluid can be mineral 

solvent neutral paraffinic type with lowered aromatics, 

synthetic or bio based products. As a functional additive 

instead of chlorinated paraffin, it can be used hydroxystearic 

acid methyl esters, nitrated vegetable oils, phosphorus 

compounds as dialkyl dithiophosphates, etc. 

Particularly great influence has been made by the 

chemicals controlling regulations: Classification, Labelling 

& Packaging of chemical substances and mixtures 

(CLP Regulation), Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation 

of Chemicals (REACH) – the system for 

controlling chemicals in Europe, ECHA Candidate List 

of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). ECHA 

(European Chemical Agency) has released an updated 

list of active substances and suppliers (Article 95) under 

the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), prepared as of 

9 January 2018. As specified in Article 95(2), as of 1 September 

2015, a biocidal product consisting of, containing 

or generating a relevant substance, included in the 

Article 95 list, shall not be made available on the market 

unless either the substance supplier or the product 

supplier is included in this list for the product type(s) to 

which the product belongs. 

The Biocidal Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 

528/2012) concerns the placing on the market and use 

of biocidal products, which are used to protect humans, 

animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms, 

like pests or bacteria, by the action of the active substances 

contained in the biocidal product. Isothiazolines, 

formaldehyde releasers, IPBC and boric acid are affected 

by changes in legislation. Before 1 June 2015 many 

metalworking fluids contained isothiazolinones without 

it appearing on the safety data sheet, however, the new 

CLP regulation means that they have to be reported. 

In 2017, three of the available formaldehyde releasers 

(MBM, MBO and HPT) received a new classification as 

carcinogenic: 

• N, N'-methyleneebismorpholine, also known as 

MBM, CAS 5625-90-1 

• 3,3'-methylene bis [5-methyloxazolidine], also known 

as MBO, CAS 66204-44-2 

• A, α', α''-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine-1,3,5 (2H, 4H, 6H) 

-triethanol, also known as HPT, CAS 25254-50-6 

these substances, or change your process so that the 

product does not need to be used. Companies that have 

investigated and come to the conclusion that there are 

no other options must, among other things, keep records 

of all employees who come into contact with the substances. 

For water-miscible metalworking fluids, the trend can 

go towards the semi-synthetics i.e. emulsions with low 

oil content, with finer oil droplets, with good stability 

and sufficient lubricity that are biocide- and boron-free 

products. Biocide- and boron-free metalworking fluids 

have more or less good resistance to microorganisms 

attack. If that is route of replacing biocide we should also 

avoid adding biocides “tank side”. Alternative to biocide 

application can be installation of stationary or mobile 

UV devices for metalworking fluid purification. UV light 

destroys microorganisms’ DNA so that it is not able to 

multiply, and as the light does not come into contact 

with people, the method is safe. 

If someone chooses an alternative technology for 

biocides, it should also have a different approach to the 

microorganism content. The high bacterial peaks that 

damage the fluid in the system is cut down, but levels of 

bacteria constantly control is necessary. 

Generally, selection of a suitable metalworking fluid is 

not possible without systematically lifecycle considerations 

which include material production phase through 

selection of optimal components, application phase as 

maintenance and disposal phase with splitting process or 

recovery. 

Metalworking fluid lifecycle considerations 

This new classification will start on December 1, 2018 

when the 10th ATP to CLP enters into force. Carcinogenic 

substances and products may not be used if it is 

technically possible to replace them. If any of the three 

substances listed above are in a product you use, you 

must try to replace them with another product without 


INTERVIEW 

Using Simulator Training Exercises 

in Education of Engineers and 

Control Room Operators 

An Interview with the President of Simulation 

Solution Inc., the leader in providing simulation 

programs for use in training process 

Simulation Solution Inc. from New Jersey, USA 

pioneered the field of process training simulators 

since 1980. Today, they are recognized for their 

“Hands On Training System” that contains a broad 

range of high fidelity process models and realistic 

DCS system emulations which are integrated into 

a fully automated training system that includes 

detailed training exercises, comprehensive on-line 

help, self and graded evaluations, and the recording 

of test scores and results. 

With the “Hands On Training System”, engineers 

and control room operators are able to learn by 

experience specific unit start ups, shutdowns, 

emergency response, control system operability, 

hazardous analysis of key units and procedures 

validation. All of which are necessary elements of 

today’s tough safety regulations. 

About Donald Glaser 

Donald Glaser is the president 

of Simulation Solutions, Inc, the 

company that has been the leader 

in providing PC based dynamic 

simulations and related programs 

for use in training process operators 

since 1980. These Simulators have 

been used in over 230 locations in 28 

countries on six continents. Donald 

has spent his entire career developing 

Operator Training Simulators 

(OTS). His company was the first to 

bring dynamic simulation to the personal 

computer, and now is the first 

to market a simulator that includes 

a virtual reality 3D training station 

for outside operators, field operators 

and supervisors. Donald has 

authored many articles on training 

applications of dynamic simulation 

and has delivered numerous training 

courses to both Instructors and 

Operators. He has a BS in Chemical 

Engineering from Lafayette College, 

Easton, PA. 


INTERVIEW 

GOMA has talked about today’s trends and importance 

in education of engineers and control room operators with the 

President of Simulation Solutions Inc. Mr. Donald C. Glaser. Mr. 

Glaser, with more than 30 years of experience in process industry 

education has shared with us his thoughts related to education in 

oil & gas industry. 

Mr. Glaser, how important is education in oil & gas industry 

today? 

Education is one of the biggest challenges facing the oil & gas 

industry today. Experienced staff is retiring at ever increasing 

numbers. Finding and training suitable replacements is not easy. 

Increased automation makes interacting with the controls on oil & 

gas units less common and more difficult to understand. Critical 

thinking and troubleshooting skills are key skills and are in short 

supply. 

You have a lot of experience in operator’s training, what are the 

biggest problems industry is facing today? 

Developing an operator’s competence and confidence and providing 

them tools to identify and solve problems that they have never 

seen before. Too often console operators rely on memorization of 

their specific units, so when a problem comes along that they have 

never faced before they lack the problem solving skills necessary to 

systematically troubleshoot the unit. 

Education is one of 

the biggest challenges 

facing the oil & gas 

industry today. 

Experienced staff 

is retiring at ever 

increasing numbers. 

Increased automation 

makes interacting 

with the controls on 

oil & gas units less 

common and more 

difficult to understand. 

Critical thinking and 

troubleshooting skills 

are key skills and are in 

short supply. 

On-site learning for operators, 

source: Deposit Photos 

“Hands-on-training” by Simulation Solutions Inc., 

source: Simulation Solutions Inc. 


INTERVIEW 

What type of knowledge operators and engineers are missing 

most? 

Gaining real and detailed operating experience is difficult unless 

you are hired to help start up a grass roots plant. Understanding 

how basic and advanced controls work, and being able to track a 

problem from initiation to a safe and efficient solution. 

How is Simulation Solutions Inc. addressing those problems? 

We provide short 2-Day Simulator Based Courses that follow our 

5 Step INSTO Training Methodology: Identification, Normal 

Operations, Start-up and Shut-down, Troubleshooting, and 

Optimization. Operators are asked to make numerous predictions 

involving normal and abnormal observations and then run these 

scenarios on our Simulators to validate their predictions. Operators 

gain valuable “minds-on” as well as “hands-on” practice. 

In what areas of the world have you organized trainings? 

Our 2-Day Courses were launched in 2011 in the UK to fit the 

training requirements of the former Petroplus Refinery. While 

our main market area is now the United States, we have also conducted 

our Training Courses in Croatia and Hungary, and will be 

heading to South Africa later this year. 

Below is a chart highlighting our Course experience: 

What is your personal opinion, how education and training will 

change in future? 

While there is a constant driving force to move towards online 

training, high level training for Operators is best delivered by live 

Instructors who can provide just-in-time mentoring and guidance. 

Live Instructors can also boost an Operator’s confidence and focus 

on “getting it right” not just “getting it fast”! 

High level training 

for Operators is 

best delivered by 

live Instructors who 

can provide justin-time 

mentoring 

and guidance. Live 

Instructors can also 

boost an Operator’s 

confidence and focus 

on “getting it right” not 

just “getting it fast”! 

Initial Course Company Location # of Coures # of Operators 

Trained 

Septemper 2011 Petroplus Coryton, UK 7 56 

May 2014 Marathon Petroleum Company Garywille, LA, USA 14 192 

August 2014 Phillips 66 Ponca City, OK, USA 7 100 

October 2015 INA Rijeka, Croatia 1 13 

May 2016 MOL Szazhalombatta, Hungary 2 19 

November 2016 US Oil & Refining Tecoma, WA, USA 4 48 

December 2016 Marathon Petroleum Company Cincinatti, OH, USA 1 8 

June 2017 INEOS Chocolate Beyou, TX, USA 2 22 

October 2017 PAR Kapolei, HI, USA 4 43 

January 2018 Marathon Petroleum Company Robinson, IL, USA 2 23 

June 2018 Shell Chemicals Geismar, LA, USA 1 12 

June 2018 Ergon West Virginia Newell, WV, USA 1 14 

September 2018 INEOS Battleground, TX, USA 1(Future) 12(Future) 

October 2018 Marathon Petroleum Company Texas City, TX, USA 2(Future) 28(Future) 

October 2018 INEOS Carson, CA, USA 2(Future) 24(Future) 

November 2018 Engen Durban, South Africa 4(Future) 48(Future) 

January 2019 Monroe Energy Trainor, PA, USA 4(Future 48(Future) 

Totals: 46 550 


LEGISLATION CORNER 

Legislation Related 

to Oil and Gas, 

Fuels and Lubricants 

Business 

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK 

Croatian Legislation Overview for 2018 

Adriana Petrović 

adriana.petrovic@ina.hr 

The overview of the most 

important legislation 

acts gives information 

of dynamic changes 

in Croatian and EU 

legislation. 

EU Legislation - The Most Important Topics 

2020-2030 

The Gas Market Act (OG 18/2018) – February 

2018 

The Act regulates the rules and measures for safe and 

reliable production, transport, storage, liquefied natural 

gas terminal (LNG), distribution and gas supply, supply 

of LNG and/or compressed natural gas (CNG), the organization 

of the gas market as part of the gas market of 

the European Union and the conduct of the implementation 

of this Act. This Act establishes rules relating to the 

customer protection, gas sector organization and functioning, 

concession for gas distribution and concession 

for the construction of the distribution system. The new 

Act enables a transparent selection of wholesale market 

supplier, as a holder of the public service obligation and 

guaranteed supplier, transparent method of setting gas 

price for buyers in public service as well as regulated 

price for households. It provides that underground gas 

storage capacities are distributed proportionally and are 

transferable. 



Following the obligation from the Gas market Act, a 

series of By-laws have been adopted setting out the necessary 

Methodologies, Network Codes and Decisions, 

and published: 

OG 48 /2018 – May 2018 

OG 50 /2018 – June 2018 

OG 56 /2018 – June 2018 

The Act on hydrocarbon 

exploration and 

exploitation regulates 

hydrocarbon exploration 

and exploitation, 

geothermal water 

for energy purposes, 

natural gas storage 

in underground 

geological structures and 

permanent disposal/ 

storage of carbon 

dioxide in underground 

geological structures. 

Act on Exploration and Exploitation of 

Hydrocarbons (OG 52 /2018) – June 2018 

The Act on hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation 

re gulates hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, 

geothermal water for energy purposes, natural gas storage 

in underground geological structures and permanent 

disposal/storage of carbon dioxide in underground 

geological structures. The new Law introduces new 

standards and definitions accepted in international 

practice. The overlapping with the Mining Act is solved 

by incorporating provisions from the Mining Act, referring 

to the activity of exploration and exploitation of 

hydrocarbons, in to the current Act. This should simplify 

procedures and reduce administrative obstacles. 

For the first time in one place, the exploitation and 

management of hydrocarbons and geothermal waters 

resources is regulated, which is the basis for creating a 

positive investment climate. 

The Proposal of the Act on Amendments to the 

Act on Biofuels for Transport 

The public hearing of the Proposal was held for 30 days 

and closed on 25 April 2018. The Proposal was approved 

on 6 July 2018 and sent to the proposer (Government of 

Croatia) for the preparation of the Final Proposal of the 

Act. It is expected for the Act to be adopted and come 

into force in the Q3 2018. 

By this Act, the Directive 2015/1513 EC (ILUC) 

amending Directive 98/70 / EC (FQD) on the quality of 

petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28 

/ EC (RED I) on the promotion of use of energy from 

renewable sources, is being transposed in Croatian legislation. 

In addition to the fulfillment obligations of achieving 

the national target of using renewable energy sources 

in all forms of transport in 2020 of 10% of total direct 

energy consumption in transport in the Republic of 

Croatia, the new Act will introduce the obligation of 

reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve 

the 6% reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions 

in 2020. The subjects liable of placing biofuels on the 

market in the Republic of Croatia are obliged to reduce 

GHG emissions (compared to the emission level in 2010) 

according to the following dynamics: The target trajec 



Directive 2015/1513 

EC (ILUC) amending 

Directive 98/70 / EC 

(FQD) on the quality 

of petrol and diesel 

fuels and amending 

Directive 2009/28 

/ EC (RED I) on the 

promotion of use of 

energy from renewable 

sources is being 

transposed in Croatian 

legislation. 

tory for 2018-2019-2020 is at least 2-3-6% GHG emission 

reduction. Fines for non-achievement of biofuels 

blending targets and GHG reduction during 2018-2019- 

2020, will be elaborated trough provisions of By-laws, 

within three months from the date of entry into force of 

this Act. 

EU Legislation Most Important Topics 2020-2030 

On EU level after the EU Parliament, EU Council have 

prepared their standpoints to the EU Commission proposals 

of Regulations and Directives with 2030 targets, 

series a trilogues meetings were held to reach a compromise 

outcome for the final approval to the European 

Parliament. Compromised provisional agreement was 

reached (June-July 2018), for: 

Renewables Energy Directive – RED II Proposal 

• Target of 32 % energy from renewable sources at EU 

level for 2030 

• A 14% renewable energy as sub-target for the transport 

sector, suppliers’ obligation 

• A supply obligation for advanced biofuels of 0.2% in 

2022, 1% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2030 

• A cap on conventional biofuels set at the level of 

consumption of each Member State in 2020, with a 

maximum of 7%. 



Energy Efficiency Directive Proposal 

• Target of 32.5 % improvement in energy efficiency at 

EU level for 2030 

• Member states annual energy savings of 0.8 % between 

2021-2030 

• National energy efficiency obligation schemes and 

alternative measures to fulfil the obligation: possible 

obligation schemes including transport, decisions on 

member states level 

EU Member states 

will contribute to 

EU level targets in 

accordance with their 

capabilities. Under the 

EU’s Energy Union 

Governance regulation, 

member states will be 

required to prepare 

national energy and 

climate plans for the 

2021-2030 period 

to help meet the EU 

targets for renewables, 

energy efficiency 

and greenhouse gas 

emissions. 

Energy Union Governance Proposal 

• The Regulation is an agreement to ensure that the EU 

2030 climate and energy goals are fulfilled. 

• The agreement sets out control mechanisms, trajectories 

and control points to supervise that EU targets are 

met. 

Previously, in November 2017, the agreement was 

reached for: 

EU ETS Reform 

• Ensure the 40% of GHG emission reduction by 2030 

(compared to 1990 level; all sectors). 

• Trough emission trading system (EU ETS) emission 

reduction of 43% by 2030 (compared to 2005 level; 

ETS installations) 

• Linear reduction factor will be 2.2 % annually (total 

volume of emissions reduction ) 

• Benchmarks for free allowances will be reduced by 

linear default rate between 0.2 and 1.6% yearly 

• The rate of absorbing the surplus emission allowances 

is 24% from 2019 to2023; from 2024 onward the allowances 

in excess will be cancelled 

The compromise Directives and Regulation will be submitted 

for approval to the European Parliament, where 

the plenary vote is expected in October, and the final EU 

Council adoption in November 2018. After its publication 

in the Official Journal of the Union, the directive will 

enter into force 20 days later. Member States have 18 

months to transpose the directive into national law. 

EU Member states will contribute to EU level targets 

in accordance with their capabilities. Under the EU’s 

Energy Union Governance regulation, member states 

will be required to prepare national energy and climate 

plans for the 2021-2030 period to help meet the EU 

targets for renewables, energy efficiency and greenhouse 

gas emissions. First drafts to be prepared by 2018 YE. 

The EU Commission will have six months to put the 

plans together and secure that the overall EU target are 

met. Several iteration to reach that goal are possible. The 

final Action Plans for Member states, with targets and 

trajectories for each sector have to be adopted by end of 

2019. 


FUELS 

JURAJ ŠEBALJ 

RALLY VOZAČ 

Improved formula for a 

carefree driving experience 



GREEN CORNER 

The Processing 

Possibilities of 

Using Used 

Cooking Oil to 

Produce 

Hydrotreated 

Vegetable Oil 

as Fuel 

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK 

In order to respond to the constant increase in the demand 

for liquid fuels, especially in transport, there is an irresistible 

need for renewable fuels development. 

Ivana Čović Knezović 

ivana.covic-knezovic@ina.hr 

Hydrotreating of used cooking oil and animal fats for the production of 

hydrotreated vegetable oil used as a fuel in transport is a promising 

technology that will inevitably develop in the following years in European 

Union countries or in oil companies in order to replace part of the fossil fuels 

with renewable fuels in economically and environmentally effective way. 


GREEN CORNER 

Introduction 

During the 20th century efforts and research were 

mainly on cultivated crops and production of fatty acid 

methyl esters (FAME or biodiesel) and bioethanol. The 

most commonly used feedstock s were sugar beet, sugar 

cane and corn for bioethanol production and rapeseed oil 

and palm oil for biodiesel production. However, obtaining 

biofuels from feedstock suitable for the production 

of human and animal feed has an impact on the growth of 

food prices, and therefore a limit on the share of biofuels 

from edible raw materials is defined by legislation. 

Directive 2015/1513 of the European Parliament and 

of the Council relating to the quality of petrol and diesel 

fuel and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion 

of the use of energy from renewable sources [1] 

limits the share of energy from biofuels produced from 

food crops and cultures grown as primary crops on agricultural 

land, primarily for energy purposed, to 7% of 

final energy consumption in the Member states in 2020. 

Also, it states the need to incentive research and development 

of advanced biofuels produced from the waste, 

which does not compete with agricultural crops. Directive 

introduced an extra support for advanced biofuels 

by setting the national sub-targets with a reference value 

of 0.5 % in energy terms. 

Among the feedstock, the contribution of which 

towards the target is considered to be twice their energy 

content are: used cooking oil (UCO) and animal fats (AF) 

classified as categories 1 and 2 in accordance with Regulation 

EC No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament 

and of the Council (laying down health rules as refers 

animal by-products and derived products not intended 

for human consumption). 

In comparison with FAME, HVO is produced by hydrotreating 

process and obtained products are paraffin 

similar to ones contained in fossil diesel fuel, without 

sulphur and aromatic hydrocarbon components. Due to 

its exceptional properties, HVO could be used as a fuel 

and as a biocomponent in diesel fuel blending. 

BIOMASS AS A SOURCE OF BIOFUELS 

Of all renewable energy sources, only biomass can be 

used to obtain liquid fuels, comparable to fossil fuel, for 

which there is a huge demand in the world, primarily for 

transport needs. The consumption of liquid fuels dominates 

in relation to other energy forms and is expected to 

remain so after 2030 [2]. 

More than one billion of different types of transport 

means are involved in transport today, and this number 

is expected to double in the next 10 to 20 years [3]. 

There are currently over 600 million passenger cars in 

the world (not including engines, buses, trucks and other 

types of road vehicles) running around 3.5 billion litres 

of gasoline [4]. 

According to forecasts, crude oil demand is expected 

to increase by 1% per annum over the next two decades, 

primarily due to increased energy needs in China, India 

and other South Asian countries, which are not members 

of the Organization of the Oil Exporters (OPEC) Petroleum 

Exporting Countries. Expectations are that up to 

97% of demand will be related to fuels in the transport 

sector [2]. In order to respond to the constant increase in 

the demand for liquid fuels, especially in transport, there 

is an irresistible need for renewable fuels development. 

Substitutes of gasoline and diesel will, according to their 

characteristics, correspond to the existing supply and 

use existing supply systems, in particular as drop-in fuels 

in blends with fossil-based fuels [5]. 

Biomass as feedstock for production of HVO is rich in 

lipids or triglycerides (ester of trihydroxyl alcohol glycerol 

with higher fatty acids). Conversion of biomass into 

biofuels depends on the energy value of the basic constituents 

of biomass, which increases with the reduction 

of oxygen content as well as with the increase in the ratio 

of hydrogen and carbon in their molecules. 

FEEDSTOCK 

The animal fats and vegetable oils are esters of longchain 

saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids (“fatty 

acids”), while the alcohol component is 1,2,3-propantryl, 

more commonly referred to as glycerol. The common 

name of this compound is triglycerides or triacylglycerols. 

The acid part of the ester linkage or fatty acid 

typically contains from twelve to twenty carbon atoms, 

in the straight-chain structure with up to three unsaturated 

bonds usually in the 9, 12 and 15 cis orientation. 

Vegetable oil contains more unsaturated fatty acids, 

while in solid animal fats are predominantly saturated 

Of all renewable energy 

sources, only biomass can be 

used to obtain liquid fuels, 

comparable to fossil fuel, for 

which there is a huge demand 

in the world, primarily for 

transport needs. 


GREEN CORNER 

fatty acids. The fatty acid from vegetable oil have 

cracked stem appearance so the oil molecules tend to 

coincide with the crystalline structure and crystallize 

at a lower temperature. Double bonds of unsaturated 

triglycerides are less compact and there are less intermolecular 

interactions among them. Because of this, the 

vegetable oils are at the ambient temperature in liquid 

state and fats are in solid state. Saturated oils have a 

better oxidation stability and a higher point of a melting 

point than unsaturated. A higher degree of unsaturation 

is also the reason for higher reactivity [6]. 

Typical properties of used cooking oil and animal fat 

are shown in Table 1 and 2 respectively. 

Table 1. Properties of used cooking oil 

Property 

UCO 

Acid number 

1.0 – 16.0 mg KOH/g 

Density at 15 °C < 920.0 kg/m 3 

Water content < 1.0 wt. % 

Kinematic viscosity at 40 °C 35.0 – 45.0 mm2/s 

Metal content 

Ca 

10 – 120 mg/kg 

K 

20 – 90 mg/kg 

P 

5 – 65 mg/kg 

Fe 

0 – 50 mg/kg 

Na 

10 – 60 mg/kg 

Mg 

0 – 25 mg/kg 

Free fatty acids content < 6.0 wt. % 

Table 2. Properties of animal fat 

Property 

AF 

Acid number 

10 – 20 mg KOH/g 

Density at 15 °C > 915.0 kg/m 3 

Water content < 1.0 wt. % 

Kinematic viscosity at 100 °C 8 – 9 mm 2 /s 

Metal content 

Ca 

260 – 500 mg/kg 

K 

40 – 160 mg/kg 

P 

260 – 450 mg/kg 

Fe 

5 – 25 mg/kg 

Na 

70 – 180 mg/kg 

Mg 

5 – 40 mg/kg 

Free fatty acids content < 15.0 wt. % 

In Croatia, during the 2016 year, 825 tons of used cooking 

oil was collected which is only 0.2 kg per capita [7]. 

During the 2016 year, 1.3 tons of UCO was recovered, 

which is 72 wt.% more than in the 2015 year. In addition 

to the accumulated amounts of UCO, the reason lies in 

the fact that part of the recovered amount in 2016 is collected 

in the previous years and comes from a collector’s 

storage tanks. All collected quantities, according to The 

Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund 

data, were recovered within the Republic of Croatia by 

energy recovery. 

The data from Croatian Environment and Nature 

Agency are generated from data reported in Environmental 

Pollution Register database, which includes 

stakeholders outside the The Environmental Protection 

and Energy Efficiency Fund system, shows that in 2016 

year 5.3 tons of UCO was collected. More than 4 tons 

were recovered while only 1.8 tons in Croatia and 2.3 

tons were exported to other EU countries. The remaining 

collected quantities (more than 1 ton) were temporarily 

stored at the authorized collector’s warehouses. 

The animal fats category 1 and 2 that is not used in the 

production of animal feed in the Republic of Croatia is 

about 2500 tons per year. 

Due to the high content of triglycerides vegetable oils 

and animal fats are suitable feedstock for production 

of biofuels such as biodiesel. Transesterification is the 

most often used process to transform vegetable oil into 

biodiesel. The process is usually carried out at 60 °C and 

atmospheric pressure. By reaction of higher fatty acids 

and short chain alcohols triglyceride, most commonly 

methanol, in the presence of an alkali catalyst such as 

sodium or potassium hydroxide, fatty acid methyl ester 

and glycerol are obtained as a secondary product. Biodiesel 

can be blended up to 7% v / v in fossil diesel fuels 

without modification on vehicles. Larger share requires 

fuel injection system adaptation and may cause problems 

with the fuel’s application properties. The last few years 

of researching are moving in the direction of obtaining 

fuels of the same characteristics as fossil fuels that can 

be fitted without restriction, so called drop-in fuel. One 

of these fuels is hydrotreated vegetable oil, which is a 

good alternative to traditional biodiesel. It consists predominantly 

of n- and iso-paraffins, and is obtained from 

catalytic hydrotreating of used cooking oil under high 

temperature and pressure conditions (350 – 400 °C and 

50 – 80 bar). The main byproducts are n-paraffins with 

a number of carbons between 15 and 18, and light gases: 

CO2, CO and propane. 


GREEN CORNER 

CATALYSTS AND REACTION MECHANISM 

The yield of the product depends on the selection of the 

catalyst and the products may be: bio-propane, biogasoline 

(C5-C10), bio-kerosene (C11-C13) and HVO 

(C14-C20). If the desired yield of the product is the area 

of kerosene boiling point, it is necessary to use a catalyst 

with stronger acidic centres that favour the hydrocracking 

reactions. The catalyst should be suitable for hydrodeoxygenation 

and isomerisation reaction. The reaction 

of used cooking oil with hydrogen is extremely exothermic, 

resulting in: large consumption of hydrogen, a sudden 

rise of temperature at the top of the reactor and can 

lead to a drop in partial pressure of hydrogen at the active 

catalyst centres. Such unfavourable conditions can 

lead to coke formation and deactivation of the catalyst. 

It is, therefore, necessary to form catalyst layers so that 

UCO could be converted to desired products. The catalyst 

is usually the combination Co-Mo, Ni-Mo catalyst 

and noble metals [8]. The silicon carbide could be used 

as filler between the catalyst layers to reduce the porosity 

and due of its high thermal conductivity and high 

Hydrogen consumption 

during the decarboxylation or 

hydrodeoxygenation reaction 

has a major influence on product 

yield distribution, inhibition of 

catalysts, gas composition and 

heat balance. 

temperature resistance, it is also used to improve heat 

transfer within the reactor. 

The introduction of renewable feedstock in conventional 

refining units significant amount of oxygen is 

introduced and it has to be appropriately treated to convert 

to products within the diesel fuel boiling range. 

Comprehensive, overall reactions could be described 

as hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). However, there is the 

possibility of carrying out several reaction mechanisms 

and side reactions in which carbon monoxide and carbon 

dioxide are produced, which further complicates the 

process. Carbon monoxide can be selectively adsorbed 

on catalytically active centres, blocking the introduction 

of reactants and thus inhibiting the desired reactions. 

The chain length and the degree of unsaturation of triglycerides 

from renewable feedstock vary considerably 

and affect the final product properties and the consumption 

of hydrogen in the process which is the main factor 

for calculating the operating costs of the plant. 

The obtained straight chain paraffin are isomerized 

to convert a part of n-paraffin into iso-paraffin. Namely, 

a diesel fuel fraction is required to improve the low 

temperature properties and CFPP (Cold Filter Plugging 

Point) with minimal impact on the cetane number. The 

higher cetane number have n-paraffins than the corresponding 

iso-paraffins, but the iso-paraffin branching is 

key to improving the low-temperature properties. 

The reaction pathways include hydrogenation of 

double bonds in used cooking oils and fats, then oxygen 

removal to obtain paraffin with three possible different 

routes: decarbonylation, decarboxylation and hydrodeoxygenation 

[9]. The main difference between these 

routes is the mechanism of oxygen removal, resulting in 

the formation of two molecules of water per n-paraffin 

molecule formed in the first case, one molecule of carbon 

dioxide in the second case, and one molecule of carbon 

monoxide and another of water in the third reaction, 

leading to a shortening of the n-paraffin chain formed in 

the last two scenarios. 

During the hydrotreating process, simultaneous cracking 

and hydrogenation reactions are performed on the 

difunctional catalyst, whereby the acid catalyst centres 

are necessary for the isomerization and cracking reactions, 

while the metal part of the catalyst is necessary for 

the hydrogenation or dehydrogenation reaction. 

The water and n-paraffins of the same length of chain 

as fatty acids from feedstock are formed by the hydrodeoxygenation 

reaction [10]. The other mechanism of 

decarboxylation results in the cracking of the carboxyl 

group with the separation of propane, carbon dioxide 

and the formation of an n-paraffin chain length shorter 

for one carbon atom than the chain length of the starting 

fatty acids. 

Since n-paraffins in the boiling range of diesel fuel are 

obtained in both reaction pathways, hydrotreatment is a 

good way of converting triglycerides into fuel. 

The mentioned reactions provide a certain amount 

of carbon and carbon dioxide, so additional reactions 

should be considered, such as carbon monoxide and carbon 

dioxide hydrogenation reactions in carbon monoxide 

or methane: 

The partial pressure of hydrogen in the reactor should 

be very high for the first reaction to be strongly displaced 

to the right. The second reaction is irreversible so it only 

depends on the retention time if the pressure and temperature 

are constant. Side reactions have two negative 

effects: they consume hydrogen and increase the partial 

pressure of methane in the recirculation loop. Consequently, 

a larger amount of gas for purifying circulatory 


GREEN CORNER 

gases is needed. The relative relation and extent of the 

side reactions are calculated from the distribution of 

secondary products: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide 

and methane. 

CO 2 

+ H 2 

—> CH 4 

+ H 2 

O (2) 

Hydrogen consumption during the decarboxylation 

or hydrodeoxygenation reaction has a major influence 

on product yield distribution, inhibition of catalysts, gas 

composition and heat balance. 

If all triglycerides are reacted by decarboxylation, 

seven moles of hydrogen will be consumed in contrast 

to sixteen moles of hydrogen to be consumed if triglycerides 

are converted by HDO mechanism, ie 63% lower 

hydrogen consumption. However, if all the carbon dioxide 

obtained is converted to carbon monoxide and then 

into methane, it will consume nineteen tons of hydrogen 

by decarboxylation, ie the consumption of hydrogen is 

19% higher [11]. 

Therefore, the ratio of decarboxylation and hydrodeoxydation 

reaction mechanisms should be 65/35. The 

favourable relationship between the reaction mechanisms 

can be monitored by the analysis of the relative 

relation between n-C17 and n-C18 by the simulated 

distillation method. This relationship depends on the 

type of catalyst, the process conditions and the type of 

renewable feedstock. 

CONCLUSION 

The key parameters that show the quality of used cooking 

oil or waste animal fat for the hydrotreating process 

are the total acidity, water content, metal content and 

free fatty acids content. 

The used cooking oil is more suitable feedstock than 

animal fat due to lower acid number, kinematic viscosity 

and significantly lower metal content. Such properties 

make used cooking oil more suitable for direct coprocessing 

in refinery units by known conversion processes. 

The reactions of UCO hydrotreating are exothermic 

so during co-processing increasing of temperature in the 

catalyst layer should be noticed which could have the 

impact on duration of the catalyst. 

The key barrier for the independent processing of 

UCO and animal fats in refinery units is the limit availability 

of the feedstock. Also, for continuous co-processing, 

it is recommended to upgrade the hydrodesulfurization 

unit with isomerisation unit to have a possibility 

to convert the n-paraffins partly into iso-paraffins to 

improve low-temperature properties of the obtained 

diesel fuel. 

Hydrotreating of used cooking oil and animal fats for 

the production of hydrotreated vegetable oil used as 

a fuel in transport is a promising technology that will 

inevitably develop in the following years in European 

Union countries or in oil companies in order to replace 

part fossil fuels with renewable fuels in economically and 

environmentally effective way. 

LITERATURE 

[1] URL: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/HR/ 

TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32015L1513&from=HR (access: 

June, 22th 2018) 

[2] M. Crocker, Thermochemical conversion of biomass 

to liquid fuels and chemicals, Royal Society of Chemistry, 

UK, 2010, p. 1-25. 

[3] D. Sperling, D. Gordon, Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward 

Sustainability, Oxford University Press, 2009, p. 6-7. 

[4] M. Guo, W. Song, J. Buhain, Bioenergy and biofuels: 

History, status, and perspective, Renew. Sust. Energ. 

Rev. 42 (2015) 712-725. 

[5] L. Zhang, G. Hu, Supply chain design and operational 

planning models for biomass to drop-in fuel production, 

Biomass Bioenerg 58 (2013) 238-250. 

[6] M. F. Ali, M. E. Ali Bassam, J. G. Speight, Handbook 

of Industrial Chemistry, Organic Chemicals, McGraw- 

Hill, New York, 2014, p. 528-537. 

[7] Izvješće o posebnim kategorijama otpada za 2016. 

godinu, Hrvatska agencija za okoliš i prirodu, travanj 

2018. p. 7 - 9 

[8] S. J. Miller, Production of Biofuels and Biolubricants 

From a Common Feedstock, US Patent Publication No. 

0084026, 2009, p. 1-2. 

[9] M. J. McCall; A. Anumakonda, A. Bhattacharyya, J. 

Kocal, Feed-Flexible Processing of Oil-Rich Crops to 

Jet Fuel, AIChE Meeting, Chicago, 2008. 

[10] B. Donnis; R. G. Egeberg, P. Blom, K. G. Knudsen, 

Hydroprocessing of Bio-Oils and Oxygenates to Hydrocarbons, 

Understanding the Reaction Routes, Topics in 

Catalysis 52 (3) (2009) 229-240. 

[11] R. G. Egeberg, N. H. Michaelsen, L. Skyum, Novel 

hydrotreating technology for production of green diesel, 

Haldor Topsoe, 2010, 6-9. 



FUELS CORNER 

Global Initiatives: 

Assessing Current & Future 

Global Initiatives 

on Fuels & Vehicles 

The highlights from the “Global Initiatives: 

Assessing Current and Future Global Initiatives 

on Fuels and Vehicles,” by the Fuels Institute. 

Tammy Klein 

tammy@futurefuelstrategies.com 

The market for fuels and 

vehicles is increasingly global 

and understanding what is 

happening around the world 

can enhance long-term strategic 

planning. 

The market for fuels and vehicles is increasingly 

global and understanding what is happening around 

the world can enhance long-term strategic planning. As 

automakers increasingly seek to harmonize their vehicle 

production plans and governments seek best practices 

to achieve their specific objectives, regulations that may 

seem distant to some markets can still have significant 

influence. For markets that have not yet acted to address 

these issues, it may only be a matter of time before 

regulators will likely look to other nations for ideas. 

That’s one of the key themes behind “Global Initiatives: 

Assessing Current and Future Global Initiatives on Fuels 

and Vehicles,” released by the Fuels Institute. 

By 2040, the world population is expected to expand 

nearly 25% to 9.1 billion and the global car fleet is 

expected to double. With such extraordinary growth on 

the horizon, it is not surprising governments around the 

world are increasingly announcing and/or implementing 

initiatives to tighten fuel economy and emissions 

standards, set zero emission vehicle targets, mandate 

more blending of biofuels, ban or otherwise limit driving 


FUELS CORNER 

By 2040, the world 

population is expected to 

expand nearly 25% to 9.1 

billion and the global car 

fleet is expected to double. 

and improve overall fuel quality. The need to mitigate air 

pollution, GHG emissions, congestion as well as implementing 

the Paris Agreement targets, is driving these 

global initiatives and will continue to do so. According to 

the analysis: 

• Almost 60 countries have developed or will be developing 

biofuels programs such as blend mandates and 

fiscal incentives. 

• More than 40 countries have implemented or plan to 

implement mandatory GHG emission/fuel economy 

standards. 

• More than 20 cities and/or countries have taken actions 

to ban or limit the use of internal combustion 

engines. 

• At least 13 countries have programs to support zero 

emission vehicle markets. 

• The vast majority of countries have mandated a reduction 

the sulfur content of diesel fuels and implemented 

light duty vehicle emissions reduction programs. 

The need to mitigate air 

pollution, GHG emissions, 

congestion as well as 

implementing the Paris 

Agreement targets, is 

driving the global initiatives 

and will continue to do so. 

About the Author 

Tammy Klein provides market and 

policy intelligence with unique 

insight and analysis drawn from her 

global network in the fuels industry 

through the consulting services she 

provides and the membershipbased 

Future Fuels Outlook service. 

She is an expert on conventional, 

biofuels and alternative fuels market 

and policy issues. 

She is formerly Senior Vice 

President for Stratas Advisors/Hart 

Energy and in that capacity was 

responsible for overseeing all aspects 

of its fuels and transport-related research, 

products, services, staff and 

consultancy. Prior to that she was 

the Executive Director of the Global 

Biofuels Center, a service of Hart 

Energy she co-created, that tracks, 

monitors and analyzes biofuels market, 

policy and technology developments 

in more than 70 countries. 

Tammy continues to serve as an 

advisor to many companies, governments 

and NGOs on transportation 

fuels issues. She has advised the 

Organization of Petroleum Exporting 

Countries (OPEC), International 

Petroleum Industry Environmental 

Conservation Association (IPIECA), 

Energy Management Authority 

(EMA) of Singapore and Natural 

Resources Defense Council (NRDC) 

and the International Energy Agency 

(IEA), among others. 

To learn more about Tammy 

please visit: 

http://futurefuelstrategies.com 


NEWS CORNER 

IEA Introduces New 

Approach to Energy 

- Sustainable 

Development Scenario 

In 2017 World Energy Outlook, 

released on November 14, 2017, 

IEA introduced a new scenario 

that provides an integrated way to 

achieve three critical policy goals 

simultaneously: climate stabilisation, 

cleaner air and universal access 

to modern energy. 

The new Sustainable Development 

Scenario, provides benchmark 

for measuring progress towards a 

more sustainable energy future in 

contrast with other WEO’s scenarios 

that track current and planned 

policies. 

Sources: www.iea.org; www.greenbiz.com 

INA Becomes 100% 

Owner & Sole Operator 

of Croatia’s Offshore 

Exploration Gas Fields 

in Northern Adriatic & 

Marica 

By signing the contract on June 

20, 2018, INA agreed to buy ENI 

Croatia BV, a wholly-owned member 

of Eni group, through which 

Eni participated in the joint project 

of gas production in Croatia’s 

offshore areas Northern Adriatic 

and Marica. As a result, INA will 

become the 100% owner and sole 

operator of the Northern Adriatic 

and Marica fields after all conditions 

are fulfilled, including receiving 

clearance from the antitrust 

authorities. 

The transaction covers 4,3 

mmboe proven and probable 

reserves and would increase production 

by around 2.500 boepd. 

Following the transaction, all gas 

produced in the Northern Adriatic 

concession area will be directed towards 

the Croatian supply system. 

The gas produced in the Marica 

area will continue to be transported 

to Italy, under a gas sales contract 

signed by INA and Eni. 

Source: www.ina.hr 

OPEC Meeting 

June 22, 2018 

The 174 th Meeting of the Conference 

of the Organization of the 

Petroleum Exporting Countries 

(OPEC) was held in Vienna, Austria, 

on 22 June 2018. 

The Conference analysed oil 

market developments since it 

last met in Vienna at the end of 

November and reviewed the oil 

market outlook for the remainder 

of 2018. The Conference noted 

that the oil market situation has 

further improved over the past six 

months, with the global economy 

remaining strong, oil demand 

relatively robust, albeit with some 

uncertainties, and with the market 

rebalancing evidently continuing. 

Moreover, the return of more 

stability and more optimism to the 

industry has been welcomed by all 

stakeholders. 

The Conference decided that 

countries will strive to adhere to 

the overall conformity level of 

OPEC-12, down to 100%, as of 1 

July 2018 for the remaining duration 

of the above mentioned resolution 

and for the JMMC to monitor 

and report back to the President of 

the Conference. 

Source: www.opec.org 


NEWS CORNER 

MOL Group Enters into 

a Partnership with 

INOVACAT 

MOL Group entered into a strategic 

partnership with INOVACAT, a 

Dutch technology innovator in the 

refining and petrochemical industries. 

The cooperation is expected 

to further upscale and commercializes 

INOVACAT’s breakthrough 

GASOLFINTM technology that 

converts naphtha into propylene, 

butylene and BTX (benzene, toluene, 

and xylene), while supporting 

MOL’s strategic objective to become 

a leading chemical company 

in Central Eastern Europe. 

This patented technology delivers 

propylene yields up to 45% 

depending on the feedstock, can 

convert any light straight run naphtha 

including pentanes and is fully 

flexible on product output without 

a catalyst change-over. It is also 

at least 30% more energy efficient 

than comparable conventional processes, 

with CO2 emissions being 

at least 25% lower. 

Source: www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com 

IKEA and Neste Take a 

Significant Step Towards 

a Fossil-Free Future 

IKEA and Neste are now able to 

utilize renewable residue and waste 

raw materials, such as used cooking 

oil, as well as sustainably-produced 

vegetable oils in the production 

of plastic products. The pilot at 

commercial scale starts during fall 

2018. It will be the first large-scale 

production of renewable, bio-based 

polypropylene plastic globally. 

The production of bio-based 

plastics will be based on Neste’s 

100 percent renewable hydrocarbons. 

IKEA will use the new 

plastic in products that are part of 

the current product range, such as 

plastic storage boxes, starting with 

a limited number of products. As 

capacities improve, more products 

will follow. 

Source: www.neste.com 

Sergio Marchionne, Who 

Melded Chrysler & Fiat, 

Dies at Age 66 

Sergion Marchionne, Canadian 

Italian business executive who, as 

CEO, reinvigorated Italian automobile 

manufacturer Fiat SpA in 

the first decade of the 21st century, 

died at age 66 on July 25, 2018. 

He joined the board of Fiat SpA 

in 2003 and the following year became 

CEO. Though lacking in engineering 

experience, Marchionne 

was unexpectedly selected two 

years later as CEO of the automotive 

division Fiat Group Automobiles 

SpA. He quickly returned the 

troubled car company to profitability, 

however, by downsizing and 

restructuring management as well 

as by speeding the introduction 

of new models, notably the retrostyled 

minicar sensation Fiat 500. 

In 2009 Marchionne replaced 

Robert Nardelli as CEO of Chrysler 

Group LLC. Fiat had gained 

control of the American car company 

following its emergence from 

Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Marchionne, 

because of his tremendous 

success in turning around the formerly 

troubled Fiat, was placed at 

the helm. In 2011 Chrysler reported 

its first profit in five years. 

Source: www.wsj.com 


NEWS CORNER 

Europe Base Oil Price 

Report 

FUCHS will Invest 

Approximately EUR 50 

Million in the Expansion 

of the Mannheim Site 

Today, FUCHS PETROLUB SE, 

the world's largest independent 

manufacturer of high-quality 

lubricants and related products, 

announces the purchase of two 

large properties in the immediate 

vicinity of its current location 

in Mannheim, Germany. The two 

properties acquired lead to a 25% 

expansion of the site in Mannheim, 

which then covers a total of 

135,000 m². 

The acquisition of these two 

properties by FUCHS SCHMIER 

STOFFE GMBH, which is based 

in Mannheim, is part of FUCHS' 

global investment initiative with 

the aim of securing sustained 

growth in the long term. An additional 

office building and a new 

logistics center with an automated 

warehouse for raw materials are 

planned on the new premises. 

In the next three to four years, 

FUCHS will invest a total of approximately 

EUR 50 million in the 

expansion of the Mannheim site. 

Source: www.fuchs.com 

European API Group I export 

prices remain unchanged at this 

time, although some players believe 

they face upward pressure due to 

crude costs. Light solvent neutrals 

are priced between $720/t and 

$740/t, while SN500 and SN600 

are at $795/t-$820/t and bright 

stock in a wide range at $865/t- 

$895/t. These prices refer to large 

cargo-sized parcels of Group I 

base oils sold on an FOB basis ex 

mainland European supply points, 

always subject to availability. 

Group II pricing normally responds 

quickly to rises in crude and 

feedstock levels, with importers 

applying adjustments in source 

markets that then filter down to 

overseas areas. This is especially 

true during times like now when 

demand is growing. Prices in Europe 

remain stable this week, but 

sellers and buyers recognize that 

there is upward pressure. 

FCA and truck- or barge-delivered 

prices are at $875/t-$920/t 

(€745/t-€785) for light-viscosity 

neutrals and $955/t-$975/t 

(€815/t-€820) for 500N and 600N. 

In the Group III camp, FCA 

values for oils with partial slates 

of finished product approvals 

are maintained, with no news 

that increases would be levied 

from Oct. 1. Four cSt oils are at 

€765/t-€770/t ($885/t-$895), 

6 cSt at €775/t-€780/t ($900/t- 

$910) and 8 cSt at €785/t-€790/t 

($910/t-$920). 

Group III stocks carrying full 

slates of approvals are priced 

higher, at €795/t-€810/t for 4 

cSt, €800/t-€820/t for 6 cSt and 

€810/t-€825/t for 8 cSt, all on an 

FCA basis Antwerp-Rotterdam 

-Amsterdam. 

Source: www.lubesngreases.com 

Transformer Oil 

Rerefining Patent for 

Europe 

Hydrodec Group plc, an Australian 

and U.S. industrial oil rerefiner, 

was granted a European patent to 

protect its intellectual property 

rights over a rerefining technology 

for making electrical insulating oil 

from used oil. The patent covers 

design and process improvements 

to the rerefining process, the company 

announced on its website. 

Source: www.hydrodec.com 

Official Opening of Newly 

Refurbished Technical 

Laboratories 

As the multi-million pound technology-based 

investment continues 

at the Hanley plant, enhancements 

and refurbishments have 

now been completed in the R&D 

Technical Centre. Dr. Christine 

Fuchs (Vice President Global 

Research & Development) was invited 

to officially open and marked 

the occasion by ceremonially cutting 

a ribbon on the entrance doors. 

Source: www.fuchs.com 

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK 


Research Laboratory for Corrosion 

Engineering and Surface Protection 

– ReCorr 

Helena 

Otmačić Ćurković 

hotmac@fkit.hr 

The Research Laboratory for Corrosion Engineering 

and Surface Protection – ReCorr is a new laboratory 

that has been established this year at the Faculty of 

Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of 

Zagreb. The laboratory is a part of the Department of 

Electrochemistry and its researchers have been working 

on the corrosion topics for many years through their 

scientific, educational and professional work. The mission 

of the ReCorr is to become recognizable partner to 

domestic and international scientific organizations and 

companies in the implementation of activities that contribute 

to a better understanding of corrosion processes 

and the improvement of corrosion protection. 

In line with that, our scientific work is focused towards 

development of new innovative solutions for efficient 

corrosion protection with lower environmental impact 

like green corrosion inhibitors or nanocoatings. It also 

involves development of devices for detection of corrosion 

on metallic structures. 

We have a strong collaboration with industrial partners 

and SME’s , from different industrial sectors like 

oil and gas industry, that want to solve various corrosion 

problems, improve existing or install new corrosion 

protection techniques at their facilities. Collaboration 

has been also established with corrosion inhibitors 

producers, galvanizing plants or companies working on 

cathodic protection. The gained professional and scientific 

knowledge is also transferred to industry through 

the specialised workshops and seminars as well as by, 

mentorship of doctoral thesis of engineers from industry 

leaded by professors Sanja Martinez and Helena 

Otmačić Ćurković.

TECHNOLOGY CORNER 

Application of Process Modeling 

and Simulation through the 

Life-Cycle of a Process 

Process Development Phases Seen through the Mathematical 

Modeling Aspects 

Ivana Lukec 

The process models are an 

explicit way of describing 

the knowledge of the process 

and related phenomena. 

They provide a systematic 

approach to the problems in 

all the stages of the process 

life-cycle. 

Most important stages of the 

life-cycle of a process are research 

and development, conceptual design, 

detailed engineering and operation. 

These different steps partially 

overlap and there is, as well, some 

feedback between them. Often, the 

same models, with some changes, are 

preferably utilized in all the steps. 

The good transfer of information, 

knowledge, and ideas are important 

for successful completion of all the 

process phases. Commercial modeling 

software packages are frequently 

used as an excellent platform. 

Process Modeling through the 

Research and Development 

Stage 

The models in the R&D stage can 

first be simple, and then become 

more detailed as work proceeds. 

At this stage, attention has to be 

focused on the phenomena of phase 

equilibrium, on the physical properties 

of the materials, on chemical kinetics 

as well as on the kinetics of 

mass and heat transfer. 

This action requires careful attention, 

especially because, at this 

life-cycle stage, the process could be 

nothing but an idea. 

The work starts with the physical 

properties, as they act as an input to 

all other components. The guidelines 

to choose physical properties, phase 

equilibrium data, characteristic state 

equations etc. can be found in the 

usual literature. 


This work is sequential in the sense 

that starting from an initial guess, 

the knowledge of the system grows 

and models get more and more 

accurate and detailed as the work 

proceeds. 

Based on a good knowledge of the 

phenomena, valuable tips concerning 

optimal operating parameters 

(such as temperature and pressure 

range as well as restricting 

phenomena) can be given to the next 

stages. The degree of detail has to be 

chosen in order to serve the model 

usefully. 

Simulation Models at 

Conceptual Design Stage 

The establishing of the optimal 

process structure and the best operating 

conditions characterizes the 

process development at this stage. 

Firstly, attention must be focused 

on the synthesis of the process. The 

extent to which models can be used 

in this phase varies. If we have a 

new process, information from 

similar cases may not be available at 

this stage. In the opposite situation, 

when the chemical components are 

well known, which usually means 

that their properties and all related 

parameters can be found in databanks, 

the models can be used to 

quickly check new process ideas. For 

example, at this stage, for a multiplecomponent 

distillation problem, 

models are used to identify key and 

non-key components, optimum 

distillation sequence, the number of 

ideal stages, the position of feed, etc. 

At this stage also, we always focus on 

the full-scale plant. 


The researchers who work at 

this level will propose some design 

computations which are needed by 

the basic and detailed engineering 

stage of process life-cycle. Their 

flow-sheet is the basis of the basic 

and detailed design. 

The practice has 

shown that the choices 

made at the conceptual 

design phase affect 

both investment and 

operating costs later 

on. 

Conceptual design model, 

Source: Depositphotos Stock 



Modeling at Detailed 

Engineering Stage 

Through this phase, special attention 

is paid to the detailed engineering of 

the possible technical solutions. 

Depending on their nature, the models 

can either provide a description 

of how the system behaves in certain 

conditions or be used to calculate the 

detailed geometric measures of the 

equipment. 

For example, all the dimensions of 

a distillation column can be calculated 

when we definitively establish 

the separation requirements. 

It is useful to have detailed documentation 

concerning all the 

assumptions and theories used in 

the model. The yield and energy 

consumption of a process are easily 

optimized using fine-tuned models 

to design a new unit or process. Depending 

on the process integration, 

pinch analysis and other similar 

analysis procedures can be used to 

find a solution of heat integration. 

Various data on streams and energy 

consumption, which are easily developed 

from simulation results, can be 

used to sustain the adopted technical 

solutions. 

In the detailed 

engineering stage, 

models are used 

for the purpose for 

which they have been 

created: the design 

and development of a 

full scale plant which 

is described in the 

detailed engineering 

stage. 

Detailed Model of a Distillation Column, 

Source: Model 


Modeling at Operating Stage 

At this stage of the process life-cycle, 

the models must include all relevant 

physical, chemical and mechanical 

aspects that characterize the 

process. The model predictions are 

compared to actual plant measurements 

and are further tuned to improve 

the accuracy of the predictions. 

This consideration is valuable, 

especially for the finally adjusted 

models that create the conditions 

of use to meet the demand of this 

operating stage so as to guarantee 

optimal production. 

In the mode of parameter estimation, 

the model is provided with the 

process measurement data reflecting 

the current state of the process, 

which makes it possible, for example, 

to monitor the fouling of a plant 

heat exchanger. 

The importance of storing process 

data has been emphasized here. After 

all, the data are an important link 

in the creation cycle of the process 

knowledge. 

The models of the existing process 

could act as a tool in further developments. 

In practice, models are often 

tailor-made and their use requires 

expertise. Building interfaces, which 

take into account the special demands 

arising from man–computer 

interaction, can greatly expand the 

use of the models. 


Models can also be 

used in many ways in 

order to reduce the 

operating costs and 

the performance of 

the process can be followed. 

Discrepancies 

between the model and 

the process may reveal 

instrumentation 

malfunction, problems 

of maintenance etc. 

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Herzog OptiDist 

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Test time

EVENTS CALENDAR 

2018 

October 24 – 26, 2018 UEIL Annual Congress 2018 

Budapest, Hungary 

www.ueil.org/events/2018-ueil-annual-congress/ 

November 12 - 15, 2018 

November 27 - 30, 2018 

November 28 - 29, 2018 

ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference 

Abu Dhabi, UAE 

www.adipec.com 

ERTC, European Refining Technology Conference 

Cannes, France 

www.ertc.wraconferences.com 

The 2018 European Base Oils & Lubricants Interactive Summit 

Florence, Italy 

www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/base-oils-lubricants-summit 

December 03 - 04, 2018 World Oil & Gas Week 2018 

London, UK 

oilandgascouncil.com/event-events/world-energy-capital-assembly/ 

2019 

January 23 - 24, 2019 Maximizing Propylene Yields 2019 

Barcelona, Spain 

https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/maximising-propylene-yields/ 

January 28 - 30, 2019 

European Gas Conference 

Vienna, Austria 

https://www.europeangas-conference.com/ 

January 29 - 31, 2019 OilDoc Conference & Exhibition 2019 

Rosenheim, Germany 

www.oildoc-conference.com 

February 18 - 22, 2019 

ICIS 23rd World Base Oils & Lubricants Conference 

London, UK 

www.icisevents.com/worldbaseoils/ 

March 27 - 28, 2019 European Fuels Markets & Refining Strategy Conference 2019 

Frankfurt, Germany 

https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/fuel-market-refining-strategy-conference/ 

March 28 - 29, 2019 

April 2 - 3, 2019 

April 16 - 17, 2019 

April 13-16, 2019 

World Congress & Expo on Oil, Gas & Petroleum Engineering 

(WCEOGPE-2019) 

Milan, Italy 

https://scientificfederation.com/wceogpe-2019/index.php 

UNITI Mineral Oil Technology Congress 

Stuttgart, Germany 

www.umft.de 

Global Congress on Renewable & Non-Renewable Energy 

Venice, Italy 

http://www.cognizancescientific.com/renewable-non-renewable-energy/ 

ELGI 31st Annual General Meeting 

Athens Greece 

www.elgi.org

Fuels & Lubricants Magazine

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