Vacuum Distillation Unit
for Refinery Projects
Gelan supports vacuum distillation unit projects for refineries that need better VGO recovery, lower coking risk, stable vacuum operation, and reliable equipment delivery.
We help refinery owners and EPC teams build, revamp, or replace VDU equipment with controlled fabrication, interface support, inspection records, and project documentation.
- Better VGO recovery through heating and separation support
- Lower coking risk by controlling heat duty and pressure drop
- Stable vacuum operation with matched tower and condenser interfaces
- Smoother project delivery with engineering, fabrication, and documentation support
What Is a Vacuum Distillation Unit
A vacuum distillation unit separates heavy atmospheric residue from the crude distillation unit under vacuum pressure.
By lowering the boiling point, the VDU unit in refinery can recover valuable VGO without exposing heavy oil to excessive temperature. This helps reduce thermal cracking, coking, and product loss.
Typical Vacuum Distillation Process
Main Vacuum Distillation Unit Products
Light vacuum gas oil for downstream upgrading
Heavy vacuum gas oil for FCC, hydrocracking, or other conversion units
Feedstock for delayed coking, asphalt, fuel oil blending, or residue upgrading
For refinery projects, Gelan supports the full vacuum distillation system, including process-side design support, equipment fabrication, system interfaces, and project documentation.
VDU Project Challenges Gelan Helps Reduce
A VDU system depends on stable heating, vacuum pressure, separation, and system interfaces. Gelan helps reduce these risks through integrated design, manufacturing, and project delivery support.
Improve VGO Recovery Potential
Poor heating control, weak vacuum stability, or inefficient separation can reduce LVGO and HVGO recovery.
How Gelan helps:
- Supports integrated VDU system design around heating, vacuum, and separation
- Helps control operating temperature to reduce product loss
- Coordinates tower, furnace, condenser, and downstream interfaces
- Supports refinery projects where VGO recovery affects overall profit
Reduce Coking and Fouling Risk
Heavy atmospheric residue is sensitive to overheating, long residence time, and high pressure drop. These problems can lead to coke formation and shorter run length.
How Gelan helps:
- Supports heating and flow design for heavy-oil service
- Helps reduce hot spots and uneven flow distribution
- Considers pressure drop early in system and equipment design
- Supports longer operation between shutdowns
Keep Vacuum Operation More Stable
VDU performance depends on stable vacuum pressure. Poor interface design can affect vapor flow, condenser performance, and downstream vacuum systems.
How Gelan helps:
- Coordinates vacuum tower, condenser, ejector, and piping interfaces
- Supports layout and nozzle planning for smoother vapor flow
- Reduces interface mismatch between major system sections
- Helps the unit maintain stable separation conditions
Reduce Revamp and Tie-In Risk
Many VDU revamp projects face limited space, old equipment connections, shutdown time pressure, and unclear interface data.
How Gelan helps:
- Reviews existing layout, nozzle positions, and tie-in points
- Supports replacement and upgrade planning for old equipment
- Provides fabrication support for site-limited refinery projects
- Helps reduce installation and commissioning risk
Make Project Review and Delivery Easier
For refinery owners and EPC teams, missing drawings, inspection records, or material documents can slow approval and site work.
How Gelan helps:
- Provides drawings, material reports, inspection records, and data books
- Supports engineering review and project documentation needs
- Coordinates fabrication with design and delivery requirements
- Helps keep procurement, inspection, and installation teams aligned
VDU Project Scenarios Gelan Supports
80,000 BPD Refinery VDU Upgrade Support
Project Background:
Gelan supported a refinery vacuum distillation unit upgrade for an 80,000 BPD unit processing atmospheric residue.
Key requirement:
The customer needed stable heavy-residue heating under vacuum conditions, while reducing coking risk during early operation.
Gelan Support:
Gelan optimized the heating design, heat flux distribution, and tube layout for heavy-residue service.
Result:
- Tube wall temperature deviation controlled within ≤ ±10–15°C
- Lower coking and fouling tendency
- Stable operation during the initial run cycle after commissioning
Where Gelan Fits in Your VDU Project
VDU projects need more than equipment supply. Gelan helps refinery owners and EPC teams connect process design, fabrication, system interfaces, site limits, and delivery documents.
EPC Solutions
For refinery projects that need engineering coordination, procurement support, documentation, and site interface planning.
Modularization & Skid-Mounted Units
For projects that need prefabricated modules to reduce site work and simplify installation.
Plant Revamp & Modernization
For VDU revamp projects that need capacity upgrades, equipment replacement, better heat recovery, or lower coking risk.
Custom Engineering & Prototyping
For special residue conditions, limited plot space, custom layouts, or non-standard refinery requirements.
Crude Distillation Unit Equipment Gelan Can Supply
A refinery VDU system needs matched heating, separation, heat exchange, condensation, and structural support. Gelan can design and manufacture related vacuum distillation equipment as part of an integrated project package.
Vacuum Tower / Distillation Column
Separates heavy residue into LVGO, HVGO, and vacuum residue cuts.
Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger
Supports heat recovery, feed preheating, and process cooling.
Separator Vessel / Drum
Supports vapor-liquid separation, condensate handling, or process buffering.
Tube Bundles / Furnace Tubes
Used for heat transfer service under high-temperature and heavy-oil conditions.
Related Systems and Solutions Supported by Gelan
Gelan supports VDU projects together with related refinery, hydrogen, cooling, and residue-upgrading systems. These solution pages can help you plan connected process units and project interfaces.
Crude Distillation Unit
For atmospheric crude separation before residue enters the VDU section.
Diesel Hydrotreating Unit
For downstream upgrading of diesel, gas oil, and distillate streams.
Industrial Closed-Loop Cooling Water System
For stable cooling of condensers, exchangers, pumps, and process equipment.
SOFC Power Generation System
For distributed power generation projects using natural gas, hydrogen, or other compatible fuels.
FAQ About Vacuum Distillation Units
1. What is a vacuum distillation unit used for?
A vacuum distillation unit separates heavy atmospheric residue from the crude distillation unit under vacuum to produce LVGO, HVGO, and vacuum residue.
2. Why is vacuum operation important in a VDU?
Vacuum lowers the boiling point, reducing thermal cracking and coking while improving VGO recovery.
3. What challenges do VDU projects usually face?
Common issues include unstable vacuum, heavy-residue coking, uneven heat distribution, pressure drop, and interface risk during revamp or replacement.
4. Can Gelan support VDU revamp projects?
Yes. Gelan helps review existing layouts, plan equipment upgrades, and provide fabrication and documentation support to reduce project risk.
5. Which products can I get from a VDU?
Typical products are LVGO (light vacuum gas oil), HVGO (heavy vacuum gas oil), and vacuum residue for delayed coking or residue upgrading.
6. Does Gelan provide complete project support?
Yes. Gelan offers integrated system design, engineering coordination, equipment manufacturing, interface alignment, and project documentation for refinery VDU projects.
Start Your Vacuum Distillation Unit Project with Gelan
Let Gelan help you plan, design, and deliver your next VDU project with reliable system support and turnkey documentation.