Refining Crude Oil into Useful Products

Introduction

• Crude oil is transformed into everyday products via refineries.
• Refineries process crude oil into products like jet fuel, gasoline, asphalt, etc.

Key Principle: Vaporization

• Crude oil consists of various hydrocarbons with different boiling points.
• Heavy liquids (asphalt, tar) have high boiling points (>1000°F).
• Light liquids (butane, gasoline) have low boiling points (<100°F).

The Distillation Tower

• Central component of a refinery.
• Crude oil is heated to vaporize all components.
• Superheated vapor enters the distillation tower.
• As vapor rises and cools, it condenses into liquids at various stages based on boiling points.
• Heavy components condense first at higher temperatures, lighter ones at lower temperatures.
• Outputs include:
  • Bottom: Asphalt, tar (high boiling points)
  • Middle: Diesel, gasoline, jet fuel
  • Top: LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), gasoline vapors

Product Demand & Supply

• Natural distillation favors heavy oil and gases.
• Market demand is higher for middle products like diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline.

Transformation Processes

• Coking/Cracking:
  • Breaks heavy oil molecules into smaller ones for fuels and gasoline.
• Reforming:
  • Modifies light liquids like naphtha into gasoline.

Output Mix

• Gasoline accounts for nearly half of the refinery's output.
• Diesel, jet fuel, and other products make up the remainder.
• Refineries contribute to 55% of global energy supply.

Future Outlook

• Demand for refined products won't change much in the near term.
• Refineries remain vital until significant energy transition occurs.

Cisco's Role

• Cisco enhances refinery efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
• More information available on their website: cisco.com/go/oilandgas