Oil Refineries

John D. Rockefeller became one of the wealthiest individuals in history by founding Standard Oil Company, which established a trust that controlled a significant portion of the oil refineries in the United States. Through aggressive business practices, including horizontal integration, he was able to dominate the oil industry and reduce competition. His wealth and influence made him a prominent figure in the era of the "robber barons" during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sheetz sources its gasoline from various refineries, including those operated by major oil companies like Marathon Petroleum and PBF Energy. The specific refineries can vary by location and supply agreements, ensuring that Sheetz can provide quality fuel to its convenience stores across several states. These partnerships help maintain a reliable supply chain for their fuel offerings.

The typical proportion of sand to bitumen mix for a storage tank foundation can vary depending on specific project requirements, but a common ratio is around 3:1 or 4:1 (sand to bitumen). This mix provides adequate stability and drainage while ensuring the foundation is well-supported. It's essential to consult project specifications and local regulations to determine the optimal mix for your specific application.

Creosote oil can technically be used as a substitute for furnace oil, but it is not ideal due to several factors. Creosote is primarily a wood preservative and has different combustion properties, which may lead to inefficiencies and increased emissions. Additionally, its use may be restricted or regulated in many areas due to health and environmental concerns. Therefore, while it may serve as an alternative in specific contexts, it is not a straightforward or universally acceptable replacement for furnace oil.

In an oil refinery, an accumulator serves as a pressure storage device for hydraulic fluids and can help manage pressure fluctuations in various processes. It stores excess fluid under pressure, allowing for a steady supply during peak demand, ensuring that equipment operates efficiently and safely. Additionally, accumulators can assist in emergency shutdown systems by providing backup pressure to control systems when needed. Overall, they enhance the reliability and efficiency of refinery operations.

The land required to build a petroleum refinery can vary significantly based on its size and complexity. Typically, a small to medium-sized refinery might require around 50 to 200 acres, while larger refineries can need anywhere from 200 to over 1,000 acres. Factors such as the type of crude processed, production capacity, and regulatory requirements also influence land requirements. Additionally, space for supporting infrastructure and safety buffers is often necessary.

If a copper refinery does not bear the entire cost of the smoke it emits, it will likely produce more pollution than is socially optimal. This situation can lead to negative externalities, where the health and environmental impacts are borne by the community rather than the refinery itself. As a result, the refinery may prioritize profit over environmental responsibility, exacerbating air quality issues and harming public health. Ultimately, this can lead to regulatory interventions or increased pressure for cleaner technologies.

As of my last knowledge update in October 2023, Saudi Aramco is managed by President and CEO Amin H. Nasser. He has held this position since 2015 and has been with the company for several decades, playing a significant role in its operations and strategic initiatives. The company is owned by the Saudi government, primarily through the Ministry of Energy.

Yes, straight run gasoline is often referred to as naphtha. It is a light petroleum product obtained directly from the distillation of crude oil, typically in the range of C5 to C10 hydrocarbons. Naphtha can be used as a solvent, in petrochemical production, or as a blending component in gasoline. However, it's important to note that not all naphtha is the same, as there are different types based on their specific properties and uses.

Flame failure in oil refinery heaters can occur due to several reasons, including insufficient fuel supply, malfunctioning burners, or improper air-fuel mixture. Additionally, equipment failures, such as faulty ignition systems or flame detectors, can contribute to the loss of flame. Environmental factors like high winds or changes in pressure can also impact combustion stability. Flame failure is critical to address promptly, as it can lead to unsafe operating conditions and potential explosions.

Crude oil separation techniques primarily include distillation, which uses heat to separate components based on their boiling points in a distillation column. Other methods include solvent extraction, which utilizes solvents to selectively dissolve certain components, and adsorption, where specific molecules adhere to solid materials. Additionally, processes like hydrocracking and catalytic cracking further refine crude oil by breaking down larger hydrocarbons into more valuable products. These techniques are crucial for producing various fuels and petrochemicals from crude oil.

As of October 2023, South Africa has four main oil refineries. These are located in the following areas: the Sapref refinery in Durban, the Natref refinery in Sasolburg, the Chevron refinery in Cape Town, and the Engen refinery also in Durban. These refineries play a crucial role in the country's fuel production and supply.

In the oil industry, "crack" refers to the process of breaking down crude oil into its various components, primarily through a method called cracking. This process involves heating the crude oil and breaking its long hydrocarbon chains into shorter, more valuable products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The term also commonly relates to the "crack spread," which is the financial metric used to assess the profitability of refining crude oil into these products, reflecting the price difference between crude oil and refined products.

Cricondentherm is the highest temperature at which a mixture of hydrocarbons can exist as a liquid and gas in equilibrium, while cricondenbar is the highest pressure at which the same equilibrium occurs. These terms are crucial in thermodynamics and petroleum engineering, particularly in understanding phase behavior of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon critical point is the specific temperature and pressure at which a pure hydrocarbon transitions into a supercritical fluid, exhibiting properties of both liquid and gas. Together, these concepts help in the design and optimization of processes involving hydrocarbon extraction and processing.

Oil refineries are dangerous due to the inherent risks associated with handling flammable and toxic materials. The processes involved, such as distillation and cracking, can lead to explosions, fires, and chemical spills if not properly managed. Additionally, the release of harmful pollutants can pose significant health risks to workers and nearby communities. Moreover, equipment failures or human errors can exacerbate these dangers, making stringent safety measures essential.

Well, honey, QuikTrip sells their own brand of gasoline, QT Gasoline. It's like their little baby, they even have a trademark on it. So next time you're filling up your tank, remember you're getting a taste of that sweet QT juice.

Petrol and kerosene can be separated by a process called fractional distillation. Since there is a 25-degree Celsius difference in their boiling points, they can be heated, and the component with the lower boiling point (in this case petrol) will vaporize first and can be collected separately, leaving kerosene behind.

The specific heat capacity of used black lubricating oil can vary depending on its composition but generally ranges between 0.35 to 0.45 J/g°C.

Chemistry in petroleum refining is crucial for processes such as cracking, reforming, and desulfurization to convert crude oil into valuable products like gasoline, diesel, and petrochemicals. It involves understanding how hydrocarbons can be altered through chemical reactions to improve product quality, yield, and environmental impact. Analytical chemistry techniques are also used to monitor and control various stages of the refining process to ensure efficiency and quality control.

The fire occurred at the Cosmo Oil refinery in Chiba, after the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The disaster severely damaged the refinery, leading to explosions and fires that burned for days.