ABSTRACT
The word refining captures the essence of the core process. It is primarily about separating out all the different components of crude oil. This is done by both atmospheric and vacuum distillation, followed by cracking processes for the heaviest or thickest parts of the crude to turn some of these heavy fractions into lighter fractions. The very nature of oil refining makes it an unsustainable activity. It is concerned with making an important fossil fuel suitable for consumption for different purposes. It is important to note that the biggest environmental impact from the refinery sector does not come from the refining process, but from the consumption of the products that the refinery produces. The main contribution to the air from a refinery comes from the furnaces and ovens, where fuel is fired for heating the crude oil in connection with the distillation and cracking processes.
