Products Details
Light Cycle Oil (LCO)
Light Cycle Oil (LCO) is a diesel-range product derived from Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCU) during crude oil refining. It is primarily used as a blending component or upgrading feedstock in refining processes.
Product Description
Light Cycle Oil (LCO) is produced as a by-product during the catalytic cracking process in FCC-based refineries. It falls within the diesel boiling range and is commonly utilized as an intermediate feedstock rather than a finished fuel.
Due to its relatively lower cetane number and higher aromatic content, LCO is not directly suitable as a diesel fuel without further processing. It is typically upgraded through hydrotreating or hydrocracking to improve its combustion quality and reduce sulfur content.
LCO plays a strategic role in refinery operations by enabling flexibility in product optimization, allowing refiners to balance gasoline and diesel output based on market demand.
Key Features
Refinery-Derived Intermediate Product
Produced from FCC units as part of the catalytic conversion process, supporting refinery output optimization.
Diesel-Range Boiling Fraction
Falls within the diesel boiling range, making it suitable for further upgrading into transportation fuels.
Upgradable Feedstock
Can be processed through hydrotreating or hydrocracking to produce low-sulfur diesel and other high-value products.
Flexible Blending Utility
Used as a blending component in fuel production or as a feedstock for advanced refining processes.
Technical Requirements
Storage & Handling Guidelines
- Store in clean, dry, and properly sealed tanks
- Prevent contamination with water and impurities
- Maintain stable storage conditions away from heat and ignition sources
- Handle in accordance with petroleum safety standards
- Use appropriate filtration during transfer and processing
- Ensure compliance with refinery and transport regulations
Product Specifications (Russian LCO Reference)
Physical Properties
- Density @15°C: 0.82 – 0.88 kg/L (ASTM D4052)
- Color: Brownish (ASTM D1500)
Combustion Quality
- Cetane Index: Min 35 (ASTM D4737)
Viscosity
- Kinematic Viscosity @40°C: Max 4.0 cSt (ASTM D445)
Temperature Characteristics
- Pour Point: -25°C to -5°C (ASTM D97)
- Flash Point: Max 63°C (ASTM D93)
Composition & Purity
- Sulfur Content: Max 0.15 wt.% (ASTM D4294)
- Carbon Residue (MCRT): Max 0.20 wt.% (ASTM D4530)
- Ash Content: Max 0.05 wt.% (ASTM D482)
- Moisture Content: Max 1000 ppm (ASTM D6304)
- BS&W: Max 1000 ppm
Aromatic Content
- Aromatics: 50% – 80% (IP 391)
- Saturates: Up to 50% (ASTM D1319)
Distillation Characteristics (ASTM D86)
- 90% Recovery: Max 370°C
- 95% Recovery: Max 380°C
- Final Boiling Point: Max 390°C
- Recovery @250°C: Max 90%
Seasonal Notes
- Winter Grade: Pour Point ≤ -15°C / Cloud Point ≤ -8°C
- Summer Grade: Pour Point ≤ -10°C / Cloud Point ≤ -5°C
- Feedstock for hydrotreating and hydrocracking units
- Blending component in diesel fuel production
- Refinery process optimization and yield balancing
- Production of low-sulfur diesel and high-value fuel products
- Petrochemical and refinery intermediate applications
- Enhances refinery flexibility in balancing fuel production
- Enables conversion into higher-value low-sulfur fuels
- Supports optimization of FCC unit output
- Cost-effective intermediate for refining processes
- Suitable for integration into advanced upgrading units
- Provides scalable processing options based on market demand