What is the process for converting crude oil into gasoline verses diesel fuel? Also what part of the crude oil is used for gasoline verses diesel fuel?
1) “Crude oil contains many different types of hydrocarbons that have to be separated before useful products can be produced. Hydrocarbons are simply a chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The number of carbons in the chain and the overall arrangement determines the size, weight and boiling temperature of the hydrocarbon. For example, diesel fuel is comprised of 16 carbon atoms and has a boiling range of 482 to 662 degrees Fahrenheit, while heavy gas oil has 44 carbon atoms and a boiling range of 700 to 1,112 degrees. Different hydrocarbon chain lengths have progressively higher boiling points, so they can all be separated by distillation. During the distillation process, crude oil is heated until the mixture boils and turns into a mixed hydrocarbon vapor. The vapor enters the distillation column and begins to cool as it moves upward. When the hydrocarbon vapor cools below its boiling point, it reverts to liquid form. Stacks of trays collect the various liquid hydrocarbons, which now ha
