Where is crude oil heated

Mid-range products include jet fuel , kerosene , and distillates such as home heating oil and diesel fuel. The heaviest products such as residual fuel oil are recovered at temperatures sometimes over 1, degrees Fahrenheit. The simplest refineries stop at this point. This is the first step in the processing of crude oil, and it is considered to be the main separation process as it performs the initial rough separation of the different fuels.

Fractions that are separated out include gasoline , diesel , kerosene , and bitumen. The process of fractional distillation is fairly simple, but is powerful in the way that it separates all the different, complex components of crude oil.

First, the crude oil is heated to vapourize it and is fed into the bottom of a distillation tower. The resulting vapour then rises through the vertical column.

As the gases rise through the tower, the temperature decreases. As the temperature decreases, certain hydrocarbons begin to condense and run off at different levels.

Each fraction that condenses off at a certain level contains hydrocarbon molecules with a similar number of carbon atoms. After this rough refinement, individual fuels may undergo more refinement to remove any contaminants or undesirable substances, or to improve the quality of the fuel through cracking. There are several ways of classifying the useful fractions that are distilled from crude oil. Also in Natural gas explained Natural gas Delivery and storage Natural gas pipelines Liquefied natural gas Where our natural gas comes from Imports and exports How much gas is left Use of natural gas Prices Factors affecting natural gas prices Natural gas and the environment Customer choice programs.

Also in Coal explained Coal Mining and transportation Where our coal comes from Imports and exports How much coal is left Use of coal Prices and outlook Coal and the environment.

Renewable sources. Renewable energy. Biofuels: Ethanol and Biomass-based diesel. Also in Hydropower explained Hydropower Where hydropower is generated Hydropower and the environment Tidal power Wave power Ocean thermal energy conversion. Also in Biofuels explained Biofuels Ethanol Use and supply of ethanol Ethanol and the environment Biomass-based diesel fuels Use of biomass-based diesel fuel Biomass-based diesel and the environment.

Also in Wind explained Wind Electricity generation from wind Where wind power is harnessed Types of wind turbines History of wind power Wind energy and the environment. Also in Geothermal explained Geothermal Where geothermal energy is found Use of geothermal energy Geothermal power plants Geothermal heat pumps Geothermal energy and the environment. Also in Solar explained Solar Photovoltaics and electricity Where solar is found and used Solar thermal power plants Solar thermal collectors Solar energy and the environment.

Secondary sources. Also in Electricity explained Electricity The science of electricity Magnets and electricity Batteries, circuits, and transformers Measuring electricity How electricity is generated Electricity in the United States Generation, capacity, and sales Delivery to consumers Use of electricity Prices and factors affecting prices Electricity and the environment.

Also in Hydrogen explained Hydrogen Production of hydrogen Use of hydrogen. How crude oil is refined into petroleum products Petroleum refineries change crude oil into petroleum products for use as fuels for transportation, heating, paving roads, and generating electricity and as feedstocks for making chemicals.

All refineries have three basic steps: Separation Conversion Treatment Separation Modern separation involves piping crude oil through hot furnaces. Also on Energy Explained U. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left.

You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.