Overview
Gasoline blending in the oil & gas industry
High accuracy flow measurement
Gasoline blending is a refinery operation that blends different component streams into the various grades of gasoline required in the final products. The two properties of major importance are the octane number (indicating how much compression the fuel can withstand before self-igniting) and the Reid Vapour Pressure or RVP (indicating the volatility of the product). The RVP may vary between seasons, as the products will be less volatile in winter, when it is colder.
For the refinery owners, the goal during blending is to meet the minimum specifications required, for the lowest costs. Exceeding the specification usually means too much of the expensive, high-end components have been used. On the other hand, not meeting the specification means a batch might have to be sold as a lower grade product, at less value.
KROHNE offers high accuracy Coriolis and ultrasonic flow measurement systems to ensure the accurate delivery of all the components in the blend. For the sale of the finished blended products, KROHNE gasoline blending custody transfer systems are supplied to provide fiscal flow measurement solutions.