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Refining industry

Pressure Vessels in the Refining Industry

The refining industry involves complex process systems that convert crude oil into high-value fuels and petrochemical feedstocks through critical operations such as distillation, catalytic cracking, hydroprocessing, reforming, coking, gas separation, and sulfur recovery. These operations typically occur under extreme conditions—high temperatures, high pressures, corrosive and flammable environments—placing stringent demands on equipment reliability.

As essential components of refinery infrastructure, pressure vessels are engineered to withstand such harsh conditions. Their versatility in structure, high pressure resistance, and sealing capability make them indispensable for key applications including chemical reactions, phase separation, storage, heat exchange, and system buffering—ensuring safe, stable, and continuous refinery operations.

Project Cases

We have delivered refinery pressure vessels for major petrochemical companies. Below are selected cases with actual specs.
ClientEquipment NameSpecWeight / Material
Xinyue Fuel ChemicalHydrocracking Reactorφ4000×(212+6.5)×22049mm626.6T / 12Cr2Mo1V forged + overlay welding E309L + E347
Xinyue Fuel ChemicalHydrofining Reactorφ4000×(212+6.5)×19636mm570T / 12Cr2Mo1V forged + overlay welding E309L + E347
Dongfang Hualong IndustryPre-Hydrogenation ReactorΦ3400×14600 (T.L.) × (78+6.5)147.962T / 14Cr1MoR(H) + overlay welding E309L + E347
Runcheng PetrochemicalHot High-Pressure SeparatorΦ2600×(210+6.5)×6250mm174T / 15CrMoR(H) + E347
CFHI Nuclear Power & PetrochemicalCold High-Pressure SeparatorΦ3000×196×8400mm192.14T / 16Mn (R-HIC) IV / Q345R (R-HIC)

Each refining unit has specialized vessel requirements. From crude desalting to deep conversion, pressure vessels are widely applied in every core process.

Refining Unit Pressure Vessel Example Function Summary
Crude Pretreatment Desalter, Buffer Tank Removes salt, stabilizes flow
Atmospheric/Vacuum Dist. Flash Drum, Bottom Tank Separates phases, buffers flow
FCC (Catalytic Cracking) Fractionator Bottom Drum, Stripper Catalyst handling, phase split
Hydrotreating/Hydrocracking Hydrotreater, HP Separator Desulfurization, upgrading
CCR Reforming Reformer Reactor, Reboiler Increases octane, converts naphtha
Delayed Coking Coke Drum, Steam Drum Cracks residue, produces coke
Gas Treating & Sulfur Absorber, Stripper, Regenerator Gas purification, sulfur recovery
Product Storage & Transfer Bullet Tank, Vertical Tank Stores LPG, diesel, gasoline

Pressure vessels serve different purposes such as reacting, separating, exchanging heat, storing, or buffering fluids. Below are typical examples for each category.

FunctionTypical VesselDescription
ReactionHydrocracking ReactorEnables chemical conversion under pressure
SeparationHP Separator, Flash DrumSeparates gas/liquid phases
Heat ExchangeShell & Tube Heat ExchangerTransfers energy between fluids
StorageBullet Tank, Vertical TankStores liquids/gases safely
BufferingSurge Drum, Gas ReceiverDampens pressure fluctuations

Pressure vessels come in varied configurations to suit different installation spaces and operational needs in a refinery.

Structure TypeExampleFeatures
Horizontal CylindricalHorizontal Tank, ReactorStable and compact for ground mounting
Vertical ColumnDistillation or Absorber TowerHigh contact efficiency for gas-liquid systems
Spherical VesselLPG Spherical TankUniform stress distribution for high pressure
Shell & Tube Heat Exch.Multitube ExchangerWidely used for energy recovery
Modular Skid UnitsSkid-Mounted Reactor/SeparatorFacilitates offsite fabrication and rapid assembly

 

Different types of vessels match specific pressure, temperature, and media conditions. Below are examples with key specs.

Equipment Name Refinery Process Spec Example (Φ×L, Pressure)
Hydrotreater Reactor Hydrotreating / Hydrocracking Φ3400×22000mm, 21MPa
HP Separator Gas-liquid separation Φ3000×8400mm, 6.3MPa
CCR Reformer Reactor Continuous Reforming Φ2500×14000mm, 3.5MPa
Coke Drum Delayed Coking Φ6500×40000mm, low pressure, high temp
Absorber Amine / sulfur scrubbing Φ2600×15000mm, corrosion resistant
LPG Spherical Tank LPG Storage Φ18000mm, 1.6MPa

Design and fabrication of refinery vessels must comply with local and international standards to ensure safety and reliability.

Standard CodeNameApplication Scope
ASME Section VIIIBoiler and Pressure Vessel CodeGlobal/export projects
GB150 / GB151Chinese pressure vessel standardsDomestic projects
API 510 / 579In-service inspection & FFSLife assessment and repair
API 650 / 620Storage tank design standardsFor oil and chemical tanks
NACE MR0175 / ISO15156Materials in sour gas environmentsAnti-H₂S stress corrosion

Material choice is critical to ensure vessel integrity under corrosive, high-pressure, or high-temperature environments. The following table summarizes typical options.

Material TypeFeaturesApplication Scenario
Q345R / 16MnRCarbon steel, cost-effectiveLow-pressure vessels
15CrMoRAlloy steel, high-temp resistantHydrocrackers, reactors
304 / 316L StainlessAcid/alkali corrosion resistantAmine units, clean fluids
Duplex Steel 2205Stress/pitting corrosion resistantChloride and sour gas areas
Hastelloy / InconelExtreme corrosion resistanceSulfur recovery, acid service

Protection measures include: lining, cladding, painting, cathodic protection, etc.

Refinery-grade pressure vessels involve complex design, manufacturing and service requirements. Below are key challenges and resolutions.

ChallengeSolution
Ultra-thick weldingSAW + multi-pass + post-weld heat treat
Transport and site assemblyModular fabrication + field welding
H₂S-induced corrosionNACE compliant materials + monitoring
Multi-code global projectsASME + GB + PED certified production
Smart operation requirementsIoT sensor + FFS + predictive systems

Driven by digitalization, energy transition, and carbon reduction goals, pressure vessels in refining are evolving toward smarter, greener, and more modular directions.

TrendDescription
Modular fabricationFactory prefabrication + fast onsite install
Smart monitoringIoT + digital twin for predictive maintenance
Green materialsHigh-efficiency, low-carbon alloys
LocalizationDomestic high-end equipment replacing imports
Low-emission manufacturingEnergy-saving, reduced carbon footprint

Conclusion

Pressure vessels are the foundation of safe and efficient refining operations. As refining technology advances toward high-integration, green development, and digital intelligence, the role of pressure vessels will become even more critical. Whether in high-pressure reaction zones or corrosive treatment systems, a well-engineered pressure vessel is not just a piece of equipment—it is a safeguard of industrial reliability and productivity.

If your project involves pressure vessel design, selection, or turnkey delivery, our expert team is ready to support with end-to-end solutions tailored to your operational needs.

Why Choose Us?

Certified Safety, Reliable Quality, Custom-Engineered Pressure Vessels.

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