Business & Finance: Cracking Pool

Separating crude oil into its several constituents is the function of the oil refinery. The crude oil is put into a still and heated. The molecularly lighter substances are given off, beginning with petroleum ether. Then comes natural gasoline, then the naphthas (from which come motor gasolines), then kerosene, then fuel oil, then gas oil, finally lubricating oil. Coke or asphalt are left as a residue.* Efficiency of the process, of course, depends upon the physical fact that the substances mixed in the crude oil come out separately in the distillation. Before...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!