Course Schedules

Classroom 4 Sessions
Online / Live
Live

Training Course Overview

Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology Training Course provides in-depth technical knowledge for managing challenging heavy oil streams. Vacuum residue presents significant operational hurdles due to high viscosity, carbon residue, and elevated levels of contaminants such as asphaltenes, metals, sulphur, and nitrogen. This training course examines essential techniques for transforming low-value fuel oil into high-demand transportation fuels.

Effective residue conversion requires a thorough understanding of feedstock characteristics, reaction mechanisms, hydrogen consumption, and catalyst behavior. Participants will evaluate primary upgrading technologies, including delayed coking, solvent deasphalting, residue fluid catalytic cracking, and residue hydroconversion.

Through detailed analysis of technology alternatives and refinery integration, delegates learn to optimize product yields, control unit fouling, and improve overall profitability. The training course equips specialists with the practical skills needed to solve operational issues, lower emissions, and satisfy stringent environmental standards.

Training Course Objectives

This Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology Training Course delivers comprehensive insights into heavy residue characterization, analytical evaluation, and process selection. Delegates will build strong capabilities in analyzing carbon-rejection versus hydrogen-addition routes to maximize refinery margins and plant stability.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain vacuum residue properties, analytical methods, and severe processing challenges.
  • Compare carbon-rejection and hydrogen-addition technologies using technical and economic criteria.
  • Describe the operation of delayed coking, solvent deasphalting, RFCC, and hydroconversion processes.
  • Assess feedstock stability, compatibility, and fouling potential in residue upgrading systems.
  • Evaluate catalyst selection, deactivation mechanisms, and contaminant management protocols.
  • Analyze hydrogen consumption, heat balances, and product quality improvements.
  • Identify root causes of poor conversion, sediment formation, and operational instability.
  • Optimize residue conversion, valuable product yields, and overall unit reliability.

Designed for

The Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology Training Course is tailored for engineering and technical teams responsible for heavy oil processing and downstream optimization. It provides technical depth to help professionals evaluate process economics, resolve operational bottlenecks, and implement effective residue conversion strategies.

This training course is suitable for:

  • Refinery process, production, and operations engineers
  • Shift engineers and technical-services personnel
  • Process design, project, and planning professionals
  • Catalyst and hydroprocessing specialists
  • Maintenance, reliability, and plant integrity engineers
  • Laboratory technicians and product-quality specialists
  • Energy management and environmental compliance professionals

Learning Methods

Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology Training Course utilizes an interactive blend of technical lectures, process-flow diagrams, and real-world industrial case studies. Delegates analyze operational datasets, perform conversion calculations, and review technology comparisons to gain practical knowledge for daily refinery challenges.

Hands-on exercises focus on troubleshooting unit instability, fouling mechanisms, and catalyst deactivation across various process configurations. Participants work through real refinery scenarios to assess feedstock suitability, optimize hydrogen balance, and determine the most profitable residue upgrading scheme.

Course Content

Day 1

Vacuum Residue Characteristics and Processing Challenges

  • Origin and production of atmospheric and vacuum residues
  • Physical and chemical properties of vacuum residue
  • Asphaltenes, resins, Conradson carbon and heavy metals
  • Sulphur, nitrogen and contaminant distribution
  • Residue stability, compatibility and precipitation behaviour
  • Analytical techniques for residue characterisation and evaluation 
Day 2

Carbon-Rejection and Thermal Conversion Technologies

  • Principles of carbon-rejection residue upgrading
  • Visbreaking technology and viscosity reduction
  • Delayed coking process configuration and operation
  • Fluid coking and flexicoking technologies
  • Product yields, coke formation and product-quality considerations
  • Comparison of thermal conversion technologies and applications 
Day 3

Solvent Deasphalting and Residue Catalytic Cracking

  • Fundamentals of solvent deasphalting and phase separation
  • Solvent selection, recovery and operating conditions
  • Deasphalted oil and pitch properties and applications
  • Residue fluid catalytic cracking technology and feed preparation
  • Catalyst contamination, metals management and regeneration
  • Integration of solvent deasphalting with downstream conversion units 
Day 4

Residue Hydroprocessing and Hydroconversion

  • Fixed-bed residue hydrotreating and hydroconversion
  • Ebullated-bed and slurry-phase reactor technologies
  • Hydrogenation, hydrocracking and contaminant-removal reactions
  • Catalyst systems, reactor configuration and deactivation
  • Hydrogen consumption, recycle gas and heat management
  • Product separation, conversion control and operating limitations 
Day 5

Technology Selection and Process Optimisation

  • Technical comparison of major residue upgrading technologies
  • Feedstock suitability and refinery-integration requirements
  • Product-yield patterns and quality considerations
  • Energy consumption, hydrogen balance and emissions performance
  • Troubleshooting fouling, sediment formation and conversion loss
  • Economic evaluation and selection of the optimum upgrading route

The Certificate

Recognition
  • Anderson Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Learn more about this course

The course is suitable for mechanical maintenance engineers, reliability engineers, maintenance technicians, field service engineers, plant operators, production supervisors, condition monitoring specialists, and technical personnel responsible for industrial hydraulic machinery and fluid power equipment.

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology training course will receive a Anderson Certificate of Completion, demonstrating their commitment to professional development and continuous learning. This certificate provides formal recognition of the knowledge and skills gained during the course and can support professional growth and career progression.

Yes. The Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology training course can be customised and delivered exclusively for organisations seeking a tailored learning solution. Course content can be adapted to address specific business objectives, operational challenges, industry requirements, and organisational priorities. Customised training allows teams to focus on the topics most relevant to their roles while supporting wider organisational development goals.

Participants attending the Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology training course gain access to valuable industry insights, practical techniques, and internationally recognised best practices. The course helps professionals improve performance, strengthen confidence, broaden their perspective, and develop skills that contribute to both personal and organisational success. It also provides an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with professionals from diverse sectors and backgrounds.

The Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology Training Course explains how to characterise and convert difficult vacuum residue streams into more valuable products. It covers residue properties, analytical evaluation, reaction mechanisms, process selection, hydrogen consumption and catalyst behaviour. Participants also learn how to improve conversion, product yields, plant stability and unit reliability.
The course covers delayed coking, solvent deasphalting, residue fluid catalytic cracking and residue hydroconversion. It explains the operation and role of each technology in converting challenging heavy residue streams. Delegates learn to compare these options using technical and economic criteria, refinery integration needs and expected product improvements.
Yes, the course compares carbon-rejection and hydrogen-addition routes from both technical and economic perspectives. Participants examine how these approaches influence hydrogen demand, conversion performance, product quality and refinery margins. The comparison helps professionals select strategies that support plant stability and profitable residue processing.
The course explains catalyst selection, catalyst behaviour and the mechanisms that lead to deactivation. It also addresses the effects of contaminants such as metals, sulphur, nitrogen and asphaltenes on residue upgrading systems. Participants gain knowledge for evaluating contaminant management protocols and protecting conversion performance.
Vacuum residue upgrading is relevant because it can transform low-value fuel oil into higher-demand transportation fuels. Effective technology selection and refinery integration can improve conversion, valuable product yields, unit reliability and overall profitability. The course also addresses lowering emissions and meeting stringent environmental standards while managing difficult heavy oil streams.

No. The Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology training course is open to professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. The course content is structured to provide value to both those who are new to the subject and experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise. While some prior knowledge may enhance understanding of certain concepts, it is not a requirement for participation

The Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology training course combines practical knowledge, current industry practices, and expert guidance to create a highly relevant learning experience. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the course emphasises practical application, enabling participants to develop skills and approaches that can be implemented directly within their organisations. This balance of knowledge and practical relevance helps participants achieve meaningful and lasting professional impact.

The Refinery Vacuum Residue Upgrading & Deep Conversion Technology training course uses a variety of learning approaches to maximise participant engagement and knowledge retention. These may include expert-led presentations, practical exercises, case studies, group discussions, scenario-based activities, and collaborative learning opportunities. This approach encourages active participation and helps participants translate learning into practical workplace results.

  Yes. Industrial hydraulic systems are widely used across manufacturing plants, process facilities, heavy machinery, marine operations, utilities, and other industrial environments. The principles covered are relevant to professionals responsible for operating, maintaining, inspecting, or troubleshooting hydraulic equipment across a broad range of applications.  

This course is intended for engineering and technical professionals involved in heavy oil processing and downstream optimisation. Relevant roles include process, production, operations and shift engineers, alongside technical-services, design, project and planning personnel. It is also suitable for catalyst, hydroprocessing, maintenance, reliability, laboratory, product-quality, energy management and environmental compliance specialists.
It builds the ability to assess vacuum residue properties, stability, compatibility and processing risks. The content addresses high viscosity, carbon residue, asphaltenes, metals, sulphur and nitrogen, all of which can affect process performance. This knowledge supports better feedstock selection, process choice and management of fouling potential.
It develops a structured understanding of poor conversion, sediment formation, unit fouling and operational instability. Participants learn to identify root causes linked to feedstock behaviour, process conditions and conversion performance. This supports more informed decisions to restore stability, improve reliability and reduce operational bottlenecks.
The training explains how to analyse hydrogen consumption and heat balances in residue upgrading processes. It connects these factors with conversion severity, process performance and product quality improvements. This knowledge helps refinery professionals balance operating requirements with valuable product yields and unit stability.
If you would like further information about this training course, our team is available to provide professional guidance and support. For guidance on registering to this course or for in-house options, contact our team: Tel: +971 4 273 3503 WhatsApp: +971 4 273 3503 Email: [email protected] In-house training: https://anderson.ae/inhouse-training-courses
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