Solvent ExtractionCommissioned
NMP Solvent Extraction Plant Middle East
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
LOCATION
Middle East
CAPACITY
144 TPD
TECHNOLOGY
Solvent Extraction
PLANT STATUS
Commissioned
BALAJI CONSULTANTS’ ROLE
Process Technology • Detailed Engineering • Equipment & System Supply • PLC/SCADA • Commissioning
THE CHALLENGE
The client required a plant to upgrade vacuum-distilled lube-oil fractions into higher-quality finished base stocks. The process had to achieve selective removal of aromatic compounds, colour-forming components and oxidation products to improve viscosity index, colour and oxidation stability.
OUR SOLUTION
Balaji Consultants provided the process technology and complete plant engineering for a 144 TPD NMP solvent extraction plant. The process route uses N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) for selective extraction of aromatic and polar compounds. The solvent-recovery system was designed to minimise NMP losses and reduce operating costs during continuous operation.
PROCESS CONFIGURATION
Lube-Oil Distillate FeedNMP ExtractionRaffinate SeparationSolvent Recovery & RecycleBase-Oil Finishing
Vacuum-distilled lube-oil distillate is contacted with NMP under controlled conditions. NMP selectively dissolves aromatic and polar compounds while retaining the paraffinic and naphthenic components the raffinate in the product phase. The raffinate passes through solvent-recovery and finishing stages to produce higher-quality, improved-VI base-oil stocks. Recovered NMP is recycled within the plant. The PLC/SCADA system provides centralised monitoring and control of temperatures, pressures, flow rates, liquid levels and solvent circulation, with process interlocks, alarms and shutdown logic for safe and reliable operation.
PROJECT OUTCOME
- 144 TPD solvent extraction plant commissioned
- Vacuum-distilled lube-oil fractions upgraded to higher-quality, improved-VI base stocks
- NMP selective extraction system commissioned for removal of aromatic and polar compounds
- Integrated solvent-recovery and NMP recycle system commissioned to minimise solvent losses
- PLC/SCADA automation centralised process monitoring and control
- Plant structure fabricated and erected at site under Balaji Consultants' supervision
SCOPE OF WORK
- Process technology development & design basis
- Process simulation, heat & material balance & equipment sizing
- Multidiscipline detailed engineering process, mechanical, piping, civil, structural, electrical & instrumentation
- Equipment procurement, fabrication inspection & supply
- Site fabrication, erection & installation supervision
- PLC/SCADA plant automation
- Commissioning, performance testing & operator training
RELATED TECHNOLOGY
PLANNING A NEW RE-REFINING PLANT OR REVAMPING AN EXISTING ONE?
Balaji Consultants develops process configurations around your feedstock, required product quality, existing infrastructure, capacity and project economics.
Discuss Your Project
