Makings

Refining equipment: cross-border enabling, open a new chapter in material production

In the public perception, refining equipment is mainly used for petroleum refining, the production of fuel oil and chemical products. However, you may not think that these devices are relying on their unique advantages to "cross the border" in the field of material production and bring new development opportunities for the material industry.

First, the exploration of the principle of oil refining equipment to help material production

The core technologies of oil refining equipment, such as distillation, catalytic cracking, hydrogenation, etc., have different similarities in material production. The distillation technique, for example, is based on differences in the boiling points of the components of the mixture to achieve separation. In the field of materials, for some raw materials composed of multiple components, the required components can be accurately separated by adjusting the parameters of the distillation equipment, laying the foundation for subsequent material synthesis.

Catalytic cracking uses catalysts to convert large molecules into small ones. In the material preparation, the synthesis of some polymer materials requires the adjustment of the molecular structure of the raw material, and the similar catalytic principle can accelerate the reaction process and make the material synthesis more efficient.

Second,  Application examples of oil refining equipment in the production of different materials

(1) High-performance carbon fiber materials

Carbon fiber is favored in aerospace, automotive and other fields for its high strength and low density characteristics. In the carbon fiber production process, the carbonization process of oil refining equipment can be used. The high-temperature reaction unit in the refining equipment can provide precise temperature control to meet the high temperature environment required for carbon fiber carbonization. Carbon fiber performance is enhanced by placing the carbon fiber precursor in a specific refining facility, where it is treated at high temperatures in an oxygen-free or hypoxic environment to carbonize the precursor. This application not only optimizes the traditional carbon fiber production process, but also improves the quality stability of the product.

(2) Special ceramic materials

Special ceramics are widely used in electronic, mechanical and other fields. In the raw material preparation stage, the distillation and separation technology of oil refining equipment can play a great role. For example, the preparation of high-performance ceramics requires extremely pure raw materials. Refining equipment can finely separate raw materials containing a variety of impurities, remove impurities, and purify key components. In addition, hydrogenation technology in refining equipment can be used to modify raw materials, improve their physical and chemical properties, provide high-quality raw materials for subsequent ceramic sintering, and improve the performance and quality of special ceramics.

(3) Environmentally friendly building materials

With the concept of environmental protection, the demand for environmentally friendly building materials has increased. Refining equipment may be involved in the production of such materials. For example, by-products or waste from the oil refining process are treated and converted into raw materials for building materials. The catalytic and reaction units of refining equipment can chemically convert these wastes to produce substances with gelling properties for the production of environmentally friendly cement or concrete additives. This not only solves the problem of oil refining waste disposal, but also provides a green and sustainable source of raw materials for the building materials industry.

Third, the advantages of refining equipment for material production are prominent

(1) Cost-benefit advantage

In many oil refineries, after upgrading the equipment, the idle equipment can be applied to the production of materials after appropriate modification. Compared with the purchase of new professional equipment in the material industry, this method greatly reduces the cost of equipment procurement. At the same time, the refinery equipment has accumulated mature operating experience and process flow in long-term operation, which can reduce the debugging time and cost in the material production process, improve production efficiency and reduce the comprehensive cost.

(2) Advantages of technology integration

After long-term development, oil refining equipment has mature technology in high temperature, high pressure, catalytic reaction and other aspects. Introducing these technologies into material production can bring new technical ideas and methods to the material industry. For example, advanced temperature and pressure control technologies in oil refining equipment can precisely regulate reaction conditions during material production, helping to develop new materials and improve the performance of existing materials.

(3) Synergy in environmental protection

The application of oil refining equipment in material production can realize resource recycling and environmental protection coordination. On the one hand, the use of oil refining waste to produce materials reduces the pressure of waste on the environment; On the other hand, the mature environmental protection treatment technology of oil refining equipment, such as waste gas and wastewater treatment systems, can simultaneously reduce pollutant emissions in the material production process and help the material industry achieve green development.

Fourth, Challenges and Future Prospects

(1) Challenges

Although oil refining equipment is widely used in material production, it also faces challenges. First of all, refining and materials industry process standards vary greatly, it is necessary to establish a unified code and standard system to ensure product quality and production safety. Secondly, the production of different materials has different requirements for equipment, and it is necessary to transform and optimize refining equipment, which requires high technology research and development and engineering design capabilities. In addition, the knowledge structure of talents in the two industries is different, and it is necessary to strengthen talent training and exchange, and build a composite talent team.

2. Future Outlook

With the development of science and technology and the deepening of integration between industries, oil refining equipment will have a greater role in the field of material production. In the future, with the help of artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies, intelligent equipment control and production process optimization can be realized, and production efficiency and product quality can be further improved. At the same time, it is expected to develop more new material production processes based on oil refining equipment, promote the innovation and development of the material industry, and provide high-performance, green and environmentally friendly new materials for various fields.

In short, the "cross-border" application of refining equipment in the field of material production is quietly changing the development pattern of the material industry. It is believed that in the process of overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities, it will bring more surprises and breakthroughs for industrial development.