Petroleum Refining Energy Use in Relation to Fuel Products Made

Abstract

In recent years crude oils available to refiners have required more energy to refine and refiners have adjusted their processes to obtain better energy efficiency. In addition, the shift to lead-free gasoline has led to refining adjustments that reduce the energy effects of changing octane levels. These changes have been incorporated in the linear program representation of a modern 'fuels' refinery. The total flow of crude oil to products and the corresponding energy use are included in this representation. The shifts in processes and stream flows and corresponding energy changes as related to gasoline octane levels are illustrated by detailed flow charts. A method for allocating process energy consumed to individual products is offered. The allocation to gasoline is shown to be somewhat higher than to other products. The energy to change gasoline octane levels is a very small fraction of refinery energy consumption.