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Objective

The primary objective of the KA Oil project is to develop a groundbreaking catalytic process that can directly convert crude oil into chemicals in a single step. This aims to achieve a highly efficient and competitive conversion rate, targeting 70 to 80% of each barrel of crude oil being converted into chemicals.

Research and Development

The project is part of Aramco's broader "Crude to Chemicals" (C2C) program, which involves extensive research and development at the Research and Development Center (R&DC) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The R&DC is a hub for various research tracks, including thermal and catalytic routes to convert crude oil into chemicals.

Key Researchers and Collaborations

• Ola Ali: An Aramco scientist based at the company’s research center at KAUST, who is leading the effort to develop a multifunctional catalyst that can crack, dehydrogenate, dearomatize, and remove sulfur from crude oil in a single step.
• Collaborations: The project involves close collaboration with KAUST, particularly the KAUST Catalysis Center. Additionally, Aramco is working with other global research centers, including the Boston Research Center, to explore novel catalyst options.

Technology and Catalyst Development

The project focuses on developing a multifunctional catalyst that can perform multiple functions simultaneously, such as cracking, dehydrogenation, dearomatization, and sulfur removal. This catalyst is designed to upgrade and directly convert any type of crude oil into chemicals in a single step, which is considered a highly challenging but potentially revolutionary achievement.

Progress and Milestones

• Early Stages: The project is in its early stages, but significant progress has been made. For example, in 2017, the team completed a three-year collaboration with the KAUST Catalysis Center, resulting in the development of a first-generation catalyst that showed superior performance.
• Future Goals: The team aims to continue optimizing and refining the catalyst to achieve the desired efficiency and scalability.

Challenges and Complexity

The project is highly ambitious and faces significant technical challenges. Upgrading and cracking crude oil in a single step is described as "science fiction" by the researchers involved, highlighting the complexity and innovation required to achieve this goal.

Global Network and Partnerships

The success of the KA Oil project is supported by a global network of talent and partnerships. Aramco is working closely with leading universities and research centers around the world to leverage diverse expertise and resources.

In summary, the KA Oil project is a pioneering effort in the field of crude oil to chemicals conversion, driven by innovative research, global collaborations, and a commitment to achieving significant technological advancements.