Gain a clear, practical understanding of petroleum refining—presented in straightforward, nontechnical language. This complete 10-lesson video series guides you through the full refining process from crude oil to finished products.

Includes all 10 lessons:

1. History, Oil Patch to Refinery & Cr...

Dr. William Leffler outlines the history of the petroleum industry, its milestones and accomplishments. Then Dr. Leffler provides an overview of how the oil gets from the oil patch to the refinery. He concludes by explaining the composition of crude oil and discussing the qualities and characteri...

Dr. William L. Leffler takes you inside the refinery to explain how crude oil is separated into its key components through distillation. He then introduces vacuum flashing, showing how refiners further separate heavier fractions to maximize product recovery.

Dr. William L. Leffler explains the chemical properties of the key components within crude oil, including paraffins, olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics. He outlines how these compounds are formed and how each is processed and utilized within the refinery.

Dr. William L. Leffler explains the role of the refinery gas plant and the processes used to separate and utilize gases within the petroleum stream. He also provides a brief history of catalytic reforming and demonstrates how reformers are used to produce higher-octane components for gasoline ble...

Dr. William L. Leffler explains catalytic cracking, showing how heavier, straight-run oils are broken down into smaller, more valuable molecules. He then introduces alkylation, demonstrating how lower-value components are combined to produce high-value blending stocks.

Dr. William L. Leffler explains hydrocracking, showing how this versatile refining unit can produce a range of products, including distillates and gasoline. He then introduces isomerization, demonstrating how normal paraffins are converted into isoparaffins to improve fuel quality.

Dr. William L. Leffler outlines the key techniques used to process refinery residue, including coking processes such as delayed coking and flexicoking.

Dr. William L. Leffler explains the demands of the internal combustion engine and how these requirements—along with government regulations—have shaped the way refiners produce and blend gasoline.

Dr. William L. Leffler outlines distillate and residual fuels, including kerosene, jet fuel, heating oil, and diesel. He also discusses asphalt as a refinery product and the processes used to produce it.

Dr. William L. Leffler explains how refiners use hydrogen to remove contaminants and unwanted compounds from refinery streams. He then provides a concise overview of the processes covered in the series, illustrating how they work together within the refining system.