Crude Oil Refining: Process Steps, Products, and Viscosity

Petroleum Characteristics and Reservoir Viscosity

The viscosity of the crude oil in the reservoir can range from 0.2 to more than 1,000 centipoise.

Technological Importance of Petroleum Products

Oil's technological importance lies in the vast number of products created from crude manipulation. These materials are essential and common in everyday life, such as:

• Asphalt
• Synthetic fabrics
• Plastics
• Lubricants
• Waxes

Petroleum Derivatives Used for Energy

Petroleum derivatives serve as crucial energy sources, including:

• Gasoline: Engine oil and extra power fuel.
• Turbo-fuel or Jet Fuel: Used for aviation.
• Aviation Gasoline
• Diesel
• Kerosene

The Importance and Uses of Natural Gas

Natural gas is used as fuel for domestic and industrial purposes. In addition to its high calorific value, its combustion is controlled and produces little pollution. It is also used as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry for obtaining:

• Ammonia
• Methanol
• Ethylene
• Propylene
• Butadiene

Major Refinery Locations

Key refinery complexes mentioned include:

• Paraguaná Refinery Complex: (Joining the Amuay and Cardón refineries) in Falcón state.
• Bajo Grande (Zulia state).
• El Palito (Carabobo state).
• El Chaure and Puerto La Cruz (Anzoátegui state).

Understanding the Crude Oil Refining Process

The refining process involves a series of separation, transformation, and purification steps, through which crude oil is converted into various finished products.

Phase 1: Basic Distillation of Crude Oil

Crude oil begins to vaporize at a temperature slightly less than that required to boil water. The lower molecular weight hydrocarbons are those that vaporize at lower temperatures, and as the temperature increases, larger molecules evaporate.

Phase 2: Thermal Cracking

In this process, the heavier parts of crude oil are heated to high temperatures under pressure. This splits large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules, which increases the amount of gas produced from a barrel of crude.

Phase 3: Alkylation

Small molecules produced by thermal cracking recombine in the presence of a catalyst.

Phase 4: Catalytic Cracking Process

Crude oil is divided in the presence of a catalyst. This allows the production of many different hydrocarbons that can then recombine to manufacture various products.

Key Products Obtained by Refining Crude Oil

The refining process yields essential products, including:

• Fuel Gas
• Gasoline
• Diesel
• Kerosene
• Lubricants
• Residue (used to produce fuel oils, plastics, among others)