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
- Separation: atmospheric and vacuum distillation divide crude into fractions.
- Conversion: FCC, hydrocracking, coking and related units change molecular structure and yield.
- Treating: hydrotreating and other processes reduce sulfur and unwanted contaminants.
- 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.