Oil refinery

Oil refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is transformed and refined into more useful products such as petroleum naphtha, gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas, jet fuel and fuel oils.

Overview

Petrochemicals are usually manufactured in large scale from petroleum feed stocks using fluid catalytic cracking. The lighter elements, however, form explosive vapors in the fuel tanks and are therefore hazardous, especially in warships. They also tend to react chemically and hamper the refining process.

History

The Chinese were among the first civilizations to refine oil. As early as the first century, the Chinese were refining crude oil for use as an energy source. Between 512 and 518, in the late Tang Dynasty, an oil refining factory was established in the city of Liangzhou.

Process

The refining process releases a number of different chemicals into the atmosphere; consequently, there are substantial air pollution emissions and a notable odor normally accompanies the presence of a refinery. Aside from air pollution impacts there are also wastewater concerns, risks of industrial accidents such as fire and explosion, and noise health effects due to industrial noise.

See also

• List of oil refineries
• The Petroleum Refining Industry
• Standard Oil Co. Inc.

External links

• U.S. Department of Energy EIA - Oil Refinery
• How Oil Refining Works

Oil refinery Resources
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