Refining Processes: From Crude Oil to Valuable Products

Refining transforms crude oil into products with different boiling ranges, compositions and performance requirements. The process sequence depends on crude characteristics and refinery configuration.

Four major stages

1. Separation: atmospheric and vacuum distillation divide crude into fractions.
2. Conversion: FCC, hydrocracking, coking and related units change molecular structure and yield.
3. Treating: hydrotreating and other processes reduce sulfur and unwanted contaminants.
4. Blending: components are combined to meet final product specifications.

The refinery laboratory supports every stage by providing analytical data for feedstocks, intermediate streams and finished products.