M3301 - Refineries and upgraders (operation)

Operational Details
An oil refinery distills or separates complex crude oil into simpler fractions. All crude goes through the still or distillation plant to be heated and vapourized. Once separated, the heaviest oils condense in the lower, hotter part of the tower. The lighter oils condense above.

Heavy oil is processed through a catalytic cracker. This increases the gasoline yield of crude oil through a chemical process that breaks down the large oil molecules of heavier fractions to make lighter substances, which deliver energy more efficiently to automobile engines. Gasoline blending tanks mix the reformed, unrefined, cracked and polymerized gasolines into efficient motor fuel. Out of this total process comes lubricating oil, residual products, furnace oils, etc.

 The lighter fuel, naphtha is processed in a catalytic reformer which rearranges the molecules of naphtha and unrefined gasoline to produce high-octane, antiknock gasolines. The process takes its name from catalyst, a substance which speeds chemical reactions. Gasoline blending tanks are used, as with heavy oil, and results in diesel fuel, jet fuel, and gasoline.

Unrefined gas is processed in a polymerization plant, which converts the lightest oils into giant- molecule compounds from which are derived cooking gas, high-octane gasoline and petrochemical by-products such as detergents, plastics, synthetic fibers and synthetic rubber.

 Some of the hydrocarbon produced may be blended or improved with chemical additives to produce other marketable products. A heavy oil refinery or upgrader may use a coking tower, to break down the heavy crude, through a continuous automated process. A vast series of pressure vessels, connecting pipe, cooling towers, and power plant usually make up the components of a refinery operation.

Workers employed include: plant operators, maintenance workers hired directly by the plant
owners or operators, safety personnel, petroleum engineers, draftsmen, material handling personnel, research and development personnel, marketing and administrative staff.

Tradecrafts employed include: millwrights, pipefitters, boilerfitters, welderfitters, electricians, instrumentation mechanics, operating engineers, carpenters, etc.

Upgrader operations are similar to a refinery operation and include similar processes and procedures, using many of the same tradecrafts and exposed to similar risks.

SIC Codes
000000511 - Refinery/upgrader