Fuel Production

Crude oil is unrefined petroleum and is made of thousands of hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbonshave different boiling points and, depending on the temperature, can produce different products. For example, crude oil begins to boil at 104F and producespetroleum gas. At a higher boiling point, such as 1112F, asphalt and tar are created.

Fuel Production

The Refining Process

The refining process begins with crude oil. The crude oil is heated and turned into a gas. The hot gases are passed in the bottom of a distillation column and begin to cool down as it travels up the column. When the gases cool below their boiling point, they become liquid. At different heights, the liquids are taken off of the distilling column. Heavy residues are found at the bottom, raw diesel fuels near the middle, and raw gasoline at the top.

Only 30% - 40% of a crude petroleum barrel is gasoline, however 50% of crude oil has to be converted into gasoline. This demand is reached, petroleum fractions are converted into gasoline. This can be done through cracking, reforming, and isomerization.Cracking is breaking down large molecules of heavy heating oil and residue.Reforming is changing the molecular structure of low quality gasoline molecules.Isomerization is rearranging the atoms in a molecule so the product has the same chemical formula, but a different structure.

Cracking - breaking down large molecules of heavy heating oil and residue.Reforming - changing the molecular structure of low quality gasoline molecules.Isomerization - rearranging the atoms in a molecule so the product has the same chemical formula, but a different structure.

Crude oil produces: - Gasoline- Petroleum - Kerosene- Residuals (tar, asphalt, waxes)

Products created in a distillation column

Top 10 Fuel Producing Countries based on their Gross National Income:

1. United States of America2. China3. Brazil4. Canada5. Russia6. Mexico7. Saudi Arabia8. Iran9. Kuwait10. United Arab Emirate

The Greatest Demand: Gasoline