Oil refinery - Revision history

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energy>Jmdonev at 22:19, 30 July 2026

2026-07-30T22:19:20Z

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	[[Category:Done ~~2017~~-07-01]]		[[Category:Done 2026-08-01]]
	[[File:PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg\|360px\|thumb\|Figure 1. An oil refinery in Israel.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (September 17, 2015). ''Haifa Oil Refinery'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg\|360px\|thumb\|Figure 1. An oil refinery in Israel.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (September 17, 2015). ''Haifa Oil Refinery'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>An '''oil refinery''' is an industrial plant where [[crude oil]] is separated into a variety of different, useful substances through a variety of [[chemical]] separation steps.<ref name="RE1">Craig Freudenrich. (November 3, 2015). ''Oil Refining'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-refining5.htm</ref> After extraction from the ground, processing at [[oil]] refineries is the second step in the production of different [[petroleum]] products.</onlyinclude><ref>EIA "What is the difference between crude oil, petroleum products and petroleum?' online: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=40&t=6 Accessed August 17th, 2017.</ref> This second step in the production of petroleum products is considered to be a portion of the [[midstream industry\|midstream oil and gas industry]]. Different petroleum products that are obtained at an oil refinery include products such as [[diesel]], [[gasoline]], and heating oils.		<onlyinclude>An '''oil refinery''' is an industrial plant where [[crude oil]] is separated into a variety of different, useful substances through a variety of [[chemical]] separation steps.<ref name="RE1">Craig Freudenrich. (November 3, 2015). ''Oil Refining'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-refining5.htm</ref> After extraction from the ground, processing at [[oil]] refineries is the second step in the production of different [[petroleum]] products.</onlyinclude><ref>EIA "What is the difference between crude oil, petroleum products and petroleum?' online: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=40&t=6 Accessed August 17th, 2017.</ref> This second step in the production of petroleum products is considered to be a portion of the [[midstream industry\|midstream oil and gas industry]]. Different petroleum products that are obtained at an oil refinery include products such as [[diesel]], [[gasoline]], and heating oils.

	In Canada, there are ~~currently 12~~ companies that run refineries. Most of these companies generally run a single refinery and sell product locally, but a handful of companies own more than one refinery and distribute product worldwide. Of the ~~19 total~~ refineries in Canada, ~~16 are able to~~ extract a full range of petroleum products, while others produce a limited number of products. Some of these limited products include [[asphalt]] plants and [[petrochemical]] plants.<ref>Natural Resources Canada. (November 3, 2015). ''Canadian Refineries'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/infrastructure/5895</ref> In these various oil refineries, a number of processes occur in specialized equipment to produce desired fractions of crude oil. These steps are outlined below.		In Canada, there are roughly a dozen companies that run refineries. Most of these companies generally run a single refinery and sell product locally, but a handful of companies own more than one refinery and distribute product worldwide. Of the refineries in Canada, most can extract a full range of petroleum products, while others produce a limited number of products. Some of these limited products include [[asphalt]] plants and [[petrochemical]] plants.<ref>Natural Resources Canada. (November 3, 2015). ''Canadian Refineries'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/infrastructure/5895</ref> In these various oil refineries, a number of processes occur in specialized equipment to produce desired fractions of crude oil. These steps are outlined below.

	==Refining Steps==		==Refining Steps==
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	==What's In a Barrel of Oil?==		==What's In a Barrel of Oil?==
	:[[In a barrel of oil\|''Main page'']]		:[[In a barrel of oil\|''Main page'']]
	In refineries, unprocessed crude oil is separated into a variety of different useful products. Although crude oil is not useful by itself, when separated a large number of useful hydrocarbons are obtained, primarily [[gasoline]], [[diesel]] fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, [[kerosene]], and [[propane]]. In addition to this, crude oil yields other important products such as [[natural gas]] liquids, [[petrochemical]] feedstocks, petroleum [[coke]], heavy fuel oil, asphalt, [[lubricating oil]]s, [[naphtha]]s, and waxes. Because all of these useful products are obtained through the refining process, the refining of oil is an incredibly important step in the oil and gas industry. For more information on the exact products that can be obtained from a barrel of crude oil, click [[What's in a barrel of oil?\|here]].		In refineries, unprocessed crude oil is separated into a variety of different useful products. Although crude oil is not useful by itself, when separated, a large number of useful hydrocarbons are obtained, primarily [[gasoline]], [[diesel]] fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, [[kerosene]], and [[propane]]. In addition to this, crude oil yields other important products such as [[natural gas]] liquids, [[petrochemical]] feedstocks, petroleum [[coke]], heavy fuel oil, asphalt, [[lubricating oil]]s, [[naphtha]]s, and waxes. Because all of these useful products are obtained through the refining process, the refining of oil is an incredibly important step in the oil and gas industry. For more information on the exact products that can be obtained from a barrel of crude oil, click [[What's in a barrel of oil?\|here]].

	==Pollution==		==Pollution==
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	Many of the pollutants listed above are harmful to humans and can cause permanent damage. Damage can include respiratory problems - such as asthma, coughing, chest pain, and bronchitis - as well as skin and eye irritations, headaches, and cancers. For more information on the specific side effects of exposure to the pollutants listed above, click through to their respective pages.		Many of the pollutants listed above are harmful to humans and can cause permanent damage. Damage can include respiratory problems - such as asthma, coughing, chest pain, and bronchitis - as well as skin and eye irritations, headaches, and cancers. For more information on the specific side effects of exposure to the pollutants listed above, click through to their respective pages.

			== For Further Reading ==

			* [[Oil well]]
			* [[Hydraulic fracturing]]
			* [[Crude oil]]
			* [[Fractional distillation]]
			* Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2017-08-29T01:47:25Z

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Jmdonev at 07:15, 27 August 2017

2017-08-27T07:15:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:15, 27 August 2017
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	[[File:PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg\|360px\|thumb\|Figure 1. An oil refinery in Israel.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (September 17, 2015). ''Haifa Oil Refinery'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg\|360px\|thumb\|Figure 1. An oil refinery in Israel.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (September 17, 2015). ''Haifa Oil Refinery'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>An '''oil refinery''' is an industrial plant where [[crude oil]] is separated into a variety of different, useful substances through a variety of [[chemical]] separation steps.<ref name="RE1">Craig Freudenrich. (November 3, 2015). ''Oil Refining'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-refining5.htm</ref> After extraction from the ground, processing at [[oil]] refineries is the second step in the production of different [[petroleum]] products.</onlyinclude><ref>~~Investopedia. (November 3~~, ~~2015). ''Oil Refinery'~~' ~~[Online]. Available~~: ~~http~~://www.~~investopedia~~.~~com~~/~~terms~~/o/~~oil-refinery~~.~~asp~~</ref> This second step in the production of petroleum products is considered to be a portion of the [[midstream industry\|midstream oil and gas industry]]. Different petroleum products that are obtained at an oil refinery include products such as [[diesel]], [[gasoline]], and heating oils.		<onlyinclude>An '''oil refinery''' is an industrial plant where [[crude oil]] is separated into a variety of different, useful substances through a variety of [[chemical]] separation steps.<ref name="RE1">Craig Freudenrich. (November 3, 2015). ''Oil Refining'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-refining5.htm</ref> After extraction from the ground, processing at [[oil]] refineries is the second step in the production of different [[petroleum]] products.</onlyinclude><ref>EIA "What is the difference between crude oil, petroleum products and petroleum?' online: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=40&t=6 Accessed August 17th, 2017.</ref> This second step in the production of petroleum products is considered to be a portion of the [[midstream industry\|midstream oil and gas industry]]. Different petroleum products that are obtained at an oil refinery include products such as [[diesel]], [[gasoline]], and heating oils.

	In Canada, there are currently 12 companies that run refineries. Most of these companies generally run a single refinery and sell product locally, but a handful of companies own more than one refinery and distribute product worldwide. Of the 19 total refineries in Canada, 16 are able to extract a full range of petroleum products, while others produce a limited number of products. Some of these limited products include [[asphalt]] plants and [[petrochemical]] plants.<ref>Natural Resources Canada. (November 3, 2015). ''Canadian Refineries'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/infrastructure/5895</ref> In these various oil refineries, a number of processes occur in specialized equipment to produce desired fractions of crude oil. These steps are outlined below.		In Canada, there are currently 12 companies that run refineries. Most of these companies generally run a single refinery and sell product locally, but a handful of companies own more than one refinery and distribute product worldwide. Of the 19 total refineries in Canada, 16 are able to extract a full range of petroleum products, while others produce a limited number of products. Some of these limited products include [[asphalt]] plants and [[petrochemical]] plants.<ref>Natural Resources Canada. (November 3, 2015). ''Canadian Refineries'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/infrastructure/5895</ref> In these various oil refineries, a number of processes occur in specialized equipment to produce desired fractions of crude oil. These steps are outlined below.
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	==What's In a Barrel of Oil?==		==What's In a Barrel of Oil?==
	:[[~~What's in~~ a barrel of oil?\|''Main page'']]		:[[In a barrel of oil\|''Main page'']]
	In refineries, unprocessed crude oil is separated into a variety of different useful products. Although crude oil is not useful by itself, when separated a large number of useful hydrocarbons are obtained, primarily [[gasoline]], [[diesel]] fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, [[kerosene]], and [[propane]]. In addition to this, crude oil yields other important products such as [[natural gas]] liquids, [[petrochemical]] feedstocks, petroleum [[coke]], heavy fuel oil, asphalt, [[lubricating oil]]s, [[naphtha]]s, and waxes. Because all of these useful products are obtained through the refining process, the refining of oil is an incredibly important step in the oil and gas industry. For more information on the exact products that can be obtained from a barrel of crude oil, click [[What's in a barrel of oil?\|here]].		In refineries, unprocessed crude oil is separated into a variety of different useful products. Although crude oil is not useful by itself, when separated a large number of useful hydrocarbons are obtained, primarily [[gasoline]], [[diesel]] fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, [[kerosene]], and [[propane]]. In addition to this, crude oil yields other important products such as [[natural gas]] liquids, [[petrochemical]] feedstocks, petroleum [[coke]], heavy fuel oil, asphalt, [[lubricating oil]]s, [[naphtha]]s, and waxes. Because all of these useful products are obtained through the refining process, the refining of oil is an incredibly important step in the oil and gas industry. For more information on the exact products that can be obtained from a barrel of crude oil, click [[What's in a barrel of oil?\|here]].

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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
			[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2016-02-18T04:31:17Z

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Jmdonev at 02:19, 10 January 2016

2016-01-10T02:19:14Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2016-01-15]]
[[File:PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg|360px|thumb|Figure 1. An oil refinery in Israel.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (September 17, 2015). ''Haifa Oil Refinery'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/PikiWiki_Israel_5905_haifa_oil_refinery.jpg</ref>]]
<onlyinclude>An '''oil refinery''' is an industrial plant where [[crude oil]] is separated into a variety of different, useful substances through a variety of [[chemical]] separation steps.<ref name="RE1">Craig Freudenrich. (November 3, 2015). ''Oil Refining'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-refining5.htm</ref> After extraction from the ground, processing at [[oil]] refineries is the second step in the production of different [[petroleum]] products.</onlyinclude><ref>Investopedia. (November 3, 2015). ''Oil Refinery'' [Online]. Available: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/oil-refinery.asp</ref> This second step in the production of petroleum products is considered to be a portion of the [[midstream industry|midstream oil and gas industry]]. Different petroleum products that are obtained at an oil refinery include products such as [[diesel]], [[gasoline]], and heating oils.

In Canada, there are currently 12 companies that run refineries. Most of these companies generally run a single refinery and sell product locally, but a handful of companies own more than one refinery and distribute product worldwide. Of the 19 total refineries in Canada, 16 are able to extract a full range of petroleum products, while others produce a limited number of products. Some of these limited products include [[asphalt]] plants and [[petrochemical]] plants.<ref>Natural Resources Canada. (November 3, 2015). ''Canadian Refineries'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/infrastructure/5895</ref> In these various oil refineries, a number of processes occur in specialized equipment to produce desired fractions of crude oil. These steps are outlined below.

==Refining Steps==
Since crude oil is a mixture of a large number of [[hydrocarbon]]s that each have their own specialized, individual uses, it must be separated into these individual components. The process of oil refining separates this thick, crude oil into different useful substances in an oil refinery through a number of steps:<ref name="RE1"/>

* '''[[fractional distillation|Fractional Distillation]]''': Crude oil enters the refinery through a series of pumps and first stops at a heater. In this heater, the crude oil is heated to around [[celsius|370°C]].<ref name="RE2">Irving Oil. (November 2, 2015). ''Refinery Tour'' [Online]. Available: http://irvingoil.com/operations_and_partners/refinery_tour/</ref> After the crude oil has been heated and is vaporized, it travels to a distillation tower. Inside these towers the vaporized crude oil is separated into fractions by utilizing their different [[boiling point]]s. As the vaporized crude oil travels up the tower, fractions with different boiling points condense at different levels, separating different components of the oil. Lighter fractions like [[butane]] and [[propane]] are collected at the top with heavier fractions collected at the bottom.
* '''Chemical Processing''': Some newer refining processes use chemical process on some fractions to create different fractions in a process called '''conversion'''. These processes can break long hydrocarbon chains into shorter ones. In a vessel known as a hydrocracker, heavier petroleum fractions are exposed to [[heat]] and [[pressure]] in the presence of a catalyst to break up long hydrocarbon chains.<ref name="RE2"/> This is useful as it converts some of the heavier fractions into more useful fractions, such as [[gasoline]], jet fuel, and propane.
* '''Treating''': The separated fractions from the fractional distillation process are treated and cleaned to remove contaminants such as [[sulfur]]. The process of removing sulfur from petroleum products is known as de-sulfurization.<ref name="RE2"/> This allows the fuels to burn more cleanly and efficiently.
* '''Blending''': After separated fractions have been cleaned, they can be mixed together in special proportions to make desired products. For example, mixing of different products can create gasolines with different [[octane rating]]s.
* '''Storage''': Finally, mixed products are stored on-site until they are delivered to distribution areas. As well as making these petroleum products, refineries also treat the waste created in the processes of extracting the different products to minimize [[air]] and [[water]] [[pollution]].

==What's In a Barrel of Oil?==
:[[What's in a barrel of oil?|''Main page'']]
In refineries, unprocessed crude oil is separated into a variety of different useful products. Although crude oil is not useful by itself, when separated a large number of useful hydrocarbons are obtained, primarily [[gasoline]], [[diesel]] fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, [[kerosene]], and [[propane]]. In addition to this, crude oil yields other important products such as [[natural gas]] liquids, [[petrochemical]] feedstocks, petroleum [[coke]], heavy fuel oil, asphalt, [[lubricating oil]]s, [[naphtha]]s, and waxes. Because all of these useful products are obtained through the refining process, the refining of oil is an incredibly important step in the oil and gas industry. For more information on the exact products that can be obtained from a barrel of crude oil, click [[What's in a barrel of oil?|here]].

==Pollution==
The refining process releases a number of different [[pollutant]]s into the [[atmosphere]] including [[SOx|sulphur dioxide]], [[NOx|nitrogen oxides]], [[VOCs|volatile organic compounds]], [[particulate matter]], [[carbon monoxide]], and [[benzene]] in addition to a number of [[greenhouse gases]].<ref>Environment and Climate Change Canada. (January 7, 2016). ''Petroleum Refining'' [Online]. Available: https://www.ec.gc.ca/energie-energy/default.asp?lang=En&n=1467336C-1</ref> In a refinery, the major sources for [[air pollution]] are in the catalytic or thermal cracking steps, at the catalytic reformer, at the desulphurization step, and from storage vessels.<ref>McIlvaine. (January 7, 2016). ''Refinery Process Air Emissions'' [Online]. Available: https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/refinery_process.htm</ref>

Many of the pollutants listed above are harmful to humans and can cause permanent damage. Damage can include respiratory problems - such as asthma, coughing, chest pain, and bronchitis - as well as skin and eye irritations, headaches, and cancers. For more information on the specific side effects of exposure to the pollutants listed above, click through to their respective pages.

==References==
{{reflist}}