Stabilization is achieved by subjecting ‘live’ crude to temperature and pressure conditions in a fractionation vessel, which drives off light hydrocarbon components to form a ‘dead’ or stabilized crude oil with a lower vapor pressure.
At the bottom of the column, some of the liquid is withdrawn and circulated through a reboiler which adds heat to the tower.
[5] As the reflux liquid flows down through the column it becomes leaner in light components and richer in heavy ends.
[5] The stabilised crude oil, comprising pentane and higher hydrocarbons (C5+), is drawn from the base of the stabilizer and is cooled.
The dead, stabilized crude flows to tanks for storage or to a pipeline for transport to customers such as an oil refinery.
[5] Where the crude oil contains high levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) a sour stabilization is undertaken.