Vacuum pipestill at an oil refinery
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Vacuum pipestill at an oil refinery
Oil refinery. This is a vacuum pipestill, a distillation tower (still) where the high-boiling point part of crude oil is refined into parts (fractions) such as fuel oil and bitumen. The crude oil, a mixture of hydrocarbons, is heated to around 400 degrees Celsius and piped into the bottom of this tower in a vacuum. This lowers the boiling point of the fractions. 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. Fuel oil is collected at a higher level than bitumen. The low-boiling point part of crude oil is refined earlier in an atmospheric pipestill. Photographed at ExxonMobils Fawley Oil Refinery, Hampshire, UK
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Media ID 6457739
© 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 a vacuum pipestill at an oil refinery, providing a glimpse into the intricate process of refining crude oil. The towering structure represents a distillation tower where the high-boiling point portion of crude oil undergoes refinement to produce various fractions like fuel oil and bitumen. To achieve this, the crude oil, consisting of hydrocarbons, is heated to an impressive temperature of approximately 400 degrees Celsius before being piped into the base of the tower under vacuum conditions. This unique approach effectively lowers the boiling points of different fractions. As depicted in this image captured at ExxonMobil's Fawley Oil Refinery in Hampshire, UK, hydrocarbon gases generated from boiling oil ascend towards the coolest section atop the tower. Each fraction settles at distinct levels within the tower based on its specific boiling point. Notably, fuel oil is collected at higher levels compared to bitumen. The photograph not only highlights essential elements such as European engineering prowess and British industrial expertise but also emphasizes technological advancements in distillation and refining processes within Europe's petrochemical industry. With its remarkable composition and focus on structural engineering marvels found within chemical plants like this one, it serves as a testament to human ingenuity and innovation.
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