THE THREE STAGES OF OIL REFINING

MAIN IDEAS

1. molecules are separated through atmospheric distillation (i.e. at normal atmospheric

pressure), according to their molecular weight.

2. During the process topping (refining), the oil is heated at the bottom of a 60-meter

distillation column at a temperature of 350 to 400C, causing it to vaporize.

3. The liquids, which are become increasingly light the higher they are found in the column,

are collected on trays located at different heights of the column.

4. The conversion process, which is carried out at 500C, is also known as catalytic cracking

because it uses a substance called a catalyst to speed up the chemical reaction.

5. The more complex the operation, the more it costs and the more energy it uses.

6. Treating involves removing or significantly reducing molecules that are corrosive or cause

air pollution, especially sulfur.

7. For diesel, desulfurization, or sulfur removal, is performed at 370C, at a pressure of 60

bar.

8. Automotive fuels must also be treated to increase their octane rating, which is a measure

of a fuel's resistance to detonation, based on a scale of 0 to 100.

9. The process used to produce high-octane products is called catalytic reforming.

10. Other chemical reactions, such as alkylation, also improve the octane rating.