Atmospheric pipestill at an oil refinery
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Atmospheric pipestill at an oil refinery
Oil refinery. This is an atmospheric pipestill, a distillation tower (still) where hot crude oil is separated into parts called fractions. The crude oil, a mixture of hydrocarbons, is heated to about 400 degrees Celsius and piped into the bottom of this tower at atmospheric pressure. Hydrocarbon gases from the boiling oil rise up the tower towards the coolest area at the top. Different fractions are collected at different levels, depending on their boiling point. Fractions with a low boiling point (petroleum gases, petrol) rise towards the top of the tower. Fractions with a higher boiling point (jet fuel, diesel) condense lower down. The bottom fraction that doesn t boil is piped to a vacuum pipestill for further refining into parts such as fuel oil and bitumen. Photographed at ExxonMobils Fawley Oil Refinery, Hampshire, UK
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Media ID 6456539
© PAUL RAPSON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Building Chemical Engineering Chemical Plant Distillation Distilling Esso Exxon Exxon Mobil Fawley Hampshire Mobil Oil Industry Oil Refinery Petrochemical Industry Product Products Refined Refinery Refining Structural Engineering Tower Distillation Tower
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases an atmospheric pipestill at an oil refinery, offering a glimpse into the intricate process of distilling crude oil. The towering structure stands tall, representing the technological marvels of the petroleum industry. Located at ExxonMobil's Fawley Oil Refinery in Hampshire, UK, this image captures the essence of European industrial prowess. Within this imposing tower, hot crude oil is subjected to intense heat and separated into various fractions through fractional distillation. As temperatures soar to around 400 degrees Celsius, hydrocarbon gases begin their ascent towards the cooler upper regions. Each fraction finds its place within different levels based on their unique boiling points. The topmost reaches house lighter fractions such as petroleum gases and petrol while descending further reveals condensation of heavier fractions like jet fuel and diesel. Meanwhile, at the bottom lies a fraction that defies boiling; it embarks on another refining journey through a vacuum pipestill for transformation into fuel oil and bitumen. This photograph not only highlights the structural elegance of this single tower but also underscores its pivotal role in refining processes worldwide. It symbolizes British engineering excellence and serves as a testament to Europe's dominance in petrochemical industries. Captured by Science Photo Library with utmost precision and clarity, this image encapsulates both scientific ingenuity and aesthetic appeal without mentioning any commercial use or specific company affiliation.
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