Model Questions for PEE521
1. Compare and contrast fixed roof tanks and floating roof tanks in terms of design,
advantages, disadvantages, and applications. Additionally, discuss the primary safety
measures and regulations applicable to storage tanks in petroleum refineries and how
these measures ensure operational safety.
2. Describe the role and importance of heat exchangers in petroleum refining processes.
b) A shell-and-tube heat exchanger is used to cool a process stream from 200°C to
50°C using cooling water. If the overall heat transfer coefficient (U) is 500 W/m²·K
and the heat transfer area is 150 m², calculate the heat duty of the exchanger. Assume
log mean temperature difference of 67.3oC
c) Differentiate between shell-and-tube and plate heat exchangers in terms of design,
efficiency, and typical applications.
3. A distillation column operates with a reflux ratio of 3.0. If the distillate flow rate is
10,000 kg/h, calculate the reflux flow rate and the vapor flow rate at the top of the
column.
4. Explain the principles of rectification in a distillation column and the role of reflux in
improving separation efficiency. Describe the design and operation of fired heaters
and process heaters, highlighting their differences and applications within the
petroleum refining process.
5. Discuss the working principles and suitable applications of centrifugal and
reciprocating compressors. Furthermore, compare shell and tube heat exchangers with
plate heat exchangers, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages, and typical
applications.
6. Outline the steps involved in preparing petroleum for processing, including desalting,
dewatering, and preheating. Explain the significance of each step and how they
impact subsequent refining operations.
7. Describe the role and importance of heat exchangers in petroleum refining processes.
Differentiate between shell-and-tube and plate heat exchangers in terms of design,
efficiency, and typical applications.
8. Describe the various types of crude oil classification based on API gravity and
geographic location. Explain why this classification is important in the petroleum
industry. Additionally, outline the types of pipelines used in the petroleum industry,
focusing on transmission and distribution pipelines, and the materials commonly used
for these pipelines.
9. A refinery is processing two crude oils: Bonny Light (API = 35°) and Minas (API =
22°). Explain how the difference in API gravity will affect the refining process and
product yields. b) Describe the design and operation of fired heaters and process
heaters. Highlight their differences and applications within the petroleum refining
process.
10. Compare and contrast the design, advantages, disadvantages, and typical applications
of shell and tube heat exchangers with plate heat exchangers. Describe the principles
of rectification in a distillation column and how the role of reflux improves separation
efficiency.
11. Compare catalytic cracking and catalytic reforming in terms of their objectives,
processes, and products. Discuss how each process contributes to the overall refining
operation and the quality of the final products.
12. Explain the principle of distillation with rectification and its significance in petroleum
refining. How does the continuous contact between vapor and liquid phases enhance
separation efficiency?
13. Describe the fundamentals of preliminary processing of petroleum, focusing on
atmospheric and vacuum distillation. What are the objectives of these processes, and
how do they set the stage for further refining?
14. A centrifugal compressor is used to compress natural gas from 100 kPa to 500 kPa. If
the gas flow rate is 50,000 m³/h, calculate the power required assuming an isentropic
efficiency of 75%.
