Non-conventional catalytic materials for refining and petrochemicals

Abstract

Over decades, oil refineries have been one of the major energy sources to meet the growing energy demands of world. This extensive dependency will extend for next few decades due to the comprehensive research and development in the evolution of oil refineries. The special achievement of researchers of using zeolites as catalysts in the sector of oil refining and petrochemistry has led to a whole new subdivision in the twentieth century. In this chapter, the introductory part briefly describes about the composition of crude oil and various separation processes involved in its extraction in oil refineries and petrochemical industries. The main body of the chapter focuses on the description of refining processes using various catalysts and later adapting the zeolites as catalysts due to their extraordinary properties and features. The final section contains the brief introduction of MOFs, a new member of crystalline materials, and also the scope of their usage in oil refineries and petrochemical industries.