Refinery gas is a mixture of gases produced during the refining of crude oil. Its composition varies and can include butanes, butylenes, methane, ethane, and ethylene. Refinery gas can be sold as a final product, used as fuel, or as a feedstock for other refinery processes. Gas chromatography is used to determine its chemical profile. The release of refinery gas is tightly controlled due to environmental concerns and the desire to maximize profits.
Refinery gas is a mixture of gases generated during refinery processes that are used to transform crude oil into various petroleum products that can be traded or sold. The composition of this gas varies, depending on the composition of the crude it comes from and the processes it has undergone. Common components include butanes, butylenes, methane, ethane and ethylene. Some products found in refinery gas are subject to controls as a result of programs designed to address climate change.
When crude oil is taken to a refinery, it goes through a series of processes to refine it into component parts. Refining includes distillation, reforming, cracking and other processes. Typically, in addition to producing end products that can be sold, the refining process also produces products that require further refining and refinery gas. To some extent, the byproducts produced can be controlled with adjustments to refinery settings, including adjustments to the blend of components refined together.
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 fuel. It can also be used as a feedstock for other refinery processes. Use as a feedstock allows refineries to operate in a highly flexible manner, easily adapting what they produce by changing the processes and feedstocks they use to meet the demand for various petroleum products.
To determine what it contains, the refinery gas is subjected to gas chromatography, which creates a chemical profile. Chromatographic profiles are used by refinery officials when deciding what they want to do with the refinery gas. These profiles can also be used to create baseline profiles that help refinery officials keep up with the quality and consistency of the various crudes they use. Higher grade crudes tend to be more desirable and therefore more expensive, and it’s helpful to be able to confirm which type of crude is being used.
The release of refinery gas is tightly controlled. One reason is the refinery’s desire to maximize profits; releasing potentially salable products would not be recommended. Another reason is environmental concerns that limit the types of materials that can be released by companies that process chemicals and gases that can cause environmental damage. Businesses can be fined or otherwise severely penalized for violating laws designed to limit harmful pollution.
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