How Does an Oil Refinery Work?
Crude Oil
Crude oil is delivered to the refinery and pumped from the oil tankers into storage container. The crude is broken down by a heater. The broken down gases and liquids are pumped into the large atmospheric distillation chambers of the refinery--the large distinctive towers of the refinery.
Extraction
Gas is released from the heated crude and condenses into liquids of varying viscosity. The lighter of the fluids form from vapor condensation at the top of the tower--these liquid are converted to high grade fuels like gasoline and propane. The mid-range condensation can be converted to fuels like diesel and kerosene. The residual matter at the bottom of the tower is converted to petroleum coke.
Processing
Each of the liquid grades are pumped over to more chambers to have sulfurous matter and other residue removed. Several processes may be used in the processing of the liquids. The heavy fluids are pumped into catalytic converts and the resulting material is used as an additive to things like gas, asphalt, flooring and seals. The lighter fluids are sent to reactors and boilers for hydrocarbon cracking via chemical or thermal pressure.
The various types of gases are fortified with additives for optimum performance in their area of use. Alkylation reactors enriches gas to create jet fuels--the alkyl molecules attach to the gas molecule to create a higher octane fuel. Polymerization chambers create gasoline by joining monomer to form polymers. The treated products are stored and await shipment.
