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What is Refinery Gas?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Refinery gas is a mixture of gases generated during refinery processes which are used to process crude oil into various petroleum products which can be traded or sold. The composition of this gas varies, depending on the composition of the crude it originates from and the processes it has been subjected to. Common components include butanes, butylenes, methane, ethane, and ethylene. Some products found in refinery gas are subject to controls as a result of programs which are designed to address climate change.

When crude oil is brought to a refinery, it is taken through a number of processes to refine it into component parts. Refining includes distillation, reforming, cracking, and other processes. Typically, in addition to producing end products which can be sold, the refining process also produces products which require further refining, and refinery gas. To some extent, the byproducts produced can be controlled with adjustments to the settings at the refinery, including adjustments to the mixture of components refined together.

Refinery gases are used to process crude oil.
Refinery gases are used to process crude oil.

In some cases, refinery gas can be packaged and sold as a final product on the open market. In others, it can be used as a fuel. It can also be used as feedstock for other processes in the refinery. Use as a feedstock allows refineries to operate highly flexibly, adjusting what they produce easily by changing the processes and feedstock they use to meet demand for various petroleum products.

Gasoline, kerosene and petroleum are refined from crude oil in refineries.
Gasoline, kerosene and petroleum are refined from crude oil in refineries.

To determine what it contains, refinery gas is subjected to gas chromatography, which creates a chemical profile. Chromatography profiles are used by refinery officials as they decide what they want to do with refinery gas. These profiles can also be used to create reference profiles which help refinery officials keep up with the quality and constituency of the various crude oils they use. Higher grade crudes tend to more desirable and thus more expensive, and it is useful to be able to confirm which grade of crude is being used.

Release of refinery gas is tightly controlled. One reason for this is a desire on the part of the refinery to maximize profits; releasing potentially salable products would not be advised. Another reason is concerns about the environment which restrict the types of materials which can be released by companies which process chemicals and gases which can cause environmental harm. Companies can be fined or severely penalized in other ways for violating laws which are designed to limit harmful pollution.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

KaBoom

@JaneAir - Refinery gas is a pollutant, there's no doubt about that. However I know there are a lot of laws and regulations in place regarding refinery by products that companies have to follow. So even if they aren't re-using the refinery gas for something that doesn't necessarily mean it ends up polluting the air.

JaneAir

I had no idea refinery gas could be re-used as fuel or feedstock. In fact I didn't know what feedstock was until just as second ago, but I digress.

I really think that every natural gas refinery ought to make an effort to re-use their refinery gas for something. Refinery gas is a harmful pollutant- but if it can be turned into something other than a pollutant it definitely should.

Also as the article pointed out this is quite economic for the refineries. If they re-use the gas it won't go to waste and they won't have to purchase feedstock.

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    • Refinery gases are used to process crude oil.
      By: Tomas Sereda
      Refinery gases are used to process crude oil.
    • Gasoline, kerosene and petroleum are refined from crude oil in refineries.
      By: Giuseppe Porzani
      Gasoline, kerosene and petroleum are refined from crude oil in refineries.