Effect of Clay Adsorption on the Petroleum Refining Industry

Abstract

In this work, ceramic crude petroleum filter was prepared from low-cost materials based on Kaolin powder and Alumina, with combustible materials as palm fronds powder which acts as pore creating the agent. The filter samples with different content (5,10,15,25,35 and 45) % of palm fronds were fabricated using a dry pressing method and fired at1100 ˚C. After that, samples of porous ceramic filters were prepared and some tests were carried out, such as characterization by X-ray diffraction, physical properties (linear shrinkage, mass loss) and mechanical properties (compressive strength and diametrical strength). Results showed that linear shrinkage was 7.7%, loss in mass was 49.4%, compressive strength was 2.2 Mpa and diametrical strength was 1.7 Mpa with a 45% ratio of fine (P.F). Crude petroleum passing through the filters evaluated by tests, such as (API Gravity, Sulfur Content and Asphaltenes Content). The result of API Gravity before immersion crude petroleum filter balls was 24.70 and after immersion crude petroleum filter balls for 14 days for 30% (P.F) increased to 32.5. Sulfur Content before immersion crude petroleum filter balls was 3.76 and after immersion crude petroleum filter balls for 14 days for 30% (P.F) decreased to 2.6.So Asphaltenes Content before immersion crude petroleum filter balls was 6.68 and after immersion crude petroleum filter balls for 14 days for 30% (P.F) decreased to 1.6.