Catalytic hydrocracking: what is it?
Drivers and car owners are required to changeengine oil after a certain period, otherwise there is a high probability of failure of the engine. When choosing oils, they often encounter hydrocracked greases, which can be recommended by one or another masters and even sellers in the store. But what is this - hydrocracking, and what is the feature of the oils produced in this way? Is this an innovative technology or just a trick of manufacturers? Let's try to figure this out.
Hydrocracking - what is it?
Hydrocracking is a biochemical catalyticThe process, which is used for the production of motor oils in refineries. Thanks to this method, high-boiling hydrocarbons can be converted into more valuable products - diesel and jet fuel, kerosene, gasoline, motor oils. The process is carried out under conditions enriched in hydrogen and using catalysts. The temperature thus reaches 250-420 degrees (such values are usually present in the hydrocracking reactor), and the pressure is 5-30 MPa. A large final yield of the main component of oils from raw materials is possible due to special catalysts. At the same time, the oils immediately get a high viscosity index and actio-oxidative properties. Below is a hydrocracking reactor in the photo.
With certain technological parameters alreadyat the molecular level, it is possible to remove sulfur and harmful nitrogen impurities from the final product. At the same time, oil rings and paraffin compounds break up, the product is isomerized. In simple words, hydrocracking makes it possible to obtain the usual basic mineral oil, the characteristics of which will be close to the parameters of modern mineral oil. The presence of paraffinic hydrocarbons in the composition is the main feature of hydrocracked oils.
Hydrocracking or synthetics - which is better?
The main advantage of synthetic oil isits thermal and oxidative stability. Due to this property, the deposit of varnish and varnish in the engines of the car is minimized. The varnish in this case is a strong transparent film, which will not work out anything. It consists of oxidation products formed on hot surfaces.
Also the advantages of synthetic lubrication are verylow volatility and minimum burnout. In all working engines, oil is kept at almost the same level from replacement to replacement. Due to these properties, mechanical losses are reduced, and the engine is less exposed to wear. That is, the parts of the power unit last longer. Moreover, the life of the synthetic oil is five times longer than the life of the mineral water. As for semisynthetic oil, it is something average. At least that's how it was before. Today, an alternative to synthetic lubrication is hydrocracked oil.
Why are hydrocracked oils inexpensive?
The latest technological developments allowedObtain on the basis of petroleum base oils, the structure and viscosity of which is not inferior to the parameters of polyalphaolefins. These fractions are mainly used in synthetic lubricants. In addition, the process of hydrocracking is relatively simple, if compared with the technology of obtaining synthetic motor oils, so the price of these products on the market is lower. Even the highest quality lubricants, created by hydrocracking technology, are inexpensive.
Hydrocracking is a weak alternative
Whatever it was, synthetic oils anywayremain the best for today, but hydrocracked lubricants are only slightly inferior. By the way, some manufacturers on cans, in which they sell hydrocracked oils, write that they were produced using synthetic technology, and some even write "Synthetic Oil". That is, companies practically do not see the difference between these two types of lubricants, although it is quite obvious that this is done for marketing purposes. Therefore, if it is written on the package (canister) that the product was manufactured using synthetic technology, it means that inside it is hydrocracked oil. Now it is clear what it is - hydrocracking.
Underwater rocks
All more or less experienced drivers know that the oilscan be mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic. However, what is the category of hydrocracked lubricants? After all, the cost of this oil - like the usual "mineral water, and the manufacturers at the same time argue that the quality and efficiency of lubrication are the same as that of" synthetics. " What is the catch? After all, if it were in fact, the production of synthetic oils could be stopped because of a lack of profit.
Synthetic oil is a product of gas synthesis,and "mineral water" is made by distilling oil. As for semisynthetic grease, it is a mixture of these two types of oils in certain proportions. The process for obtaining hydrocracked oil is the same as that of mineral oil. The only difference is that in the final stages, the oil is subjected to deep cleaning by means of hydrocracking. Because of this, it gets improved properties. So do not compare the "mineral water" and hydrocracking grease. The latter is a well-refined mineral oil with all the ensuing disadvantages.
Technology
What is the essence of hydrocracking technology? Oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons. It is sent first to atmospheric distillation, which as a result allows you to get fuel oil. This fuel oil is vacuum distilled for finely dividing the rings and chains of hydrocarbons. After this stage of processing, the heaviest fractions remain, they are suitable for the production of basic transmission and motor oils with a high viscosity index. The light fractions remaining after distillation of oil are suitable for making light transformer and industrial oils.
Of course, after this distillation in oil it's all the samethere are different admixtures, but vacuum distillation is not limited. After it, there is an additional cleaning. In particular, sulfur, paraffins, resins, organic acids, unsaturated hydrocarbons, polycyclic compounds remain in the composition. These impurities can increase the pour point, cause deposits and corrosion of engine parts, so they must be removed. Consequently, the purification of hydrocracking is important in production.
Cleansing
With the help of physicochemical methods fromMineral oil removes impurities. Dewaxing reduces the pour point, but it will not be possible to completely get rid of impurities in this way. Presence in the composition of unsaturated hydrocarbons accelerates the aging process, and hydrotreatment allows you to get rid of them.
Hydrocracking is even morea modern method of cleaning oils. With him, several different reactions occur simultaneously. Initially, in a basic mineral oil, the molecular structure is not uniform. However, in hydrocracking, molecular chains of different lengths split, and intermolecular bonds are saturated. As a result, the structure of such a mineral oil becomes homogeneous and close to the structure of the synthetic lubricant. It is the homogeneous molecular structure that is the first criterion of quality motor oil, as it allows the creation of a thin and strong lubricating layer between friction pairs in the engine. The carbon atoms can join into chains (long or short) or branch. For an oil, such a structure, in which a straight chain is observed, is ideal. If the atoms are connected in a straight straight chain, the oil acquires the best characteristics and properties. It is during the production of synthetic and hydrocracked oils that the chains of these products are rearranged and straightened. It is worth noting that synthetic lubricants are obtained from gases, so when they are manufactured, the length of the chain is increased.
Outcomes
Now we understand what it is - hydrocracking. In fact, this is a process that allows you to throw out all the excess oil. And thanks to special additives, you can adjust the properties of the resulting oil. This process is difficult to call ideal, because many impurities in the composition still remain. In order to filter out absolutely all unnecessary substances, it will be necessary to greatly complicate the technology, which will make such oils very expensive. Therefore, when using such lubricants, the possibility of formation of carbon deposits in the engine can not be ruled out. High viscosity index, resistance to shear deformation, wear protection and good antioxidant properties are all advantages of hydrocracked greases, because of which they become popular. On some parameters they even surpass the quality of synthetic products.
And still wins the "synthetics"
However, in the "synthetic" is still hydrocarbonthe connections are more homogeneous, so they in any case remain the best for today. Especially their best qualities are manifested in the winter. However, the process is constantly being improved, and already today many refineries are building hydrocracking, that is, they are purchasing the necessary installations and reactors.
