PREDICTION OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATION PARAMETERS FOR A MODULAR DISTILLATION UNIT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BASE OILS IN A FINISHED LUBRICANT FACTORY

Abstract

This research aimed to anticipate technical challenges and integrate an independent vacuum distillation module into a lubricant factory whose existing process relies on purchasing base oils from refineries, adding additives, and blending to produce finished products. The goal was to achieve raw material autonomy by producing its own lubricating oils. The methodological approach was based on: 1) Rigorous identification of process requirements (raw materials, operating conditions, quality objectives, and constraints), according to Smith (2005); 2) Integrated computer simulation in Aspen HYSYS V10 to anticipate bottlenecks and thermal interactions; 3) Consideration of interoperability and control architecture for safe integration; and Economic analysis based on equipment and implementation costs, and return margins. Estimates indicate a column with ten trays, operating temperatures of 169°C (top) and 550°C (base), pressures of 5 kPa and 34 kPa, with the capacity to produce 19,000 tons of base oils per year. The research demonstrates that the insertion of the isolated unit is technically and financially feasible, creating a replicable method to expand the capacity of lubricant factories in similar scenarios.