EVALUACIÓN Y CARACTERIZACIÓN DEL CRUDO CARGA DE LA REFINERÍA ESMERALDAS

Abstract

Crude oil originating in the Ecuadorian Amazon and processed in the State Esmeraldas Refinery was evaluated and characterized. In order to determine its physicochemical properties, samples were taken and tests were done according to ASTM procedures. The actual boiling points (TBP) were obtained in a distillation column TBP of POLIDIST, Model PETRODIST 200 S. In this way there were obtained: head temperature and the volume of each distilled fraction, with which the curve of the true boiling points were plotted, making it possible to know the performance of light, medium and heavy fuels. Similarly, a determination of the physicochemical properties of the different fractions obtained was made. From the results obtained, it was determined that the crude load has: a characterization factor Kuop of 11.55, which indicates a mixed hydrocarbon base with a distillate volume of 70.95% at 506°C, of which 14.45% corresponds to naphtha, 12.60% to kerosene, 9.10% to diesel; 34.80% to gasoil, leaving a residue of 29.05%. The sulfur content found in the fractions must be taken into consideration since it could cause the corrosion of the equipment as well as the deactivation of the catalysts.