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­Oil Refining Image Gallery

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Photo courtesy Phillips Petroleum Company
Oil refineries take crude oil and turn it into products such as gasoline, jet fuel, crayons and plastics. See more oil refining pictures.
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­I­n movies and television shows -- Giant, Oklahoma Crude, Armageddon, Beverly Hillbillies -- we have seen images of thick, black crude oil gushing out of the ground or a drilling platform.­

But when you pump the gasoline for your ­car, you've probably noticed that it is clear.

And there are so many other products that come from oil, including crayons, plastics, heating oil, jet fuel, kerosene, synthetic fibers and tires.­

­How is it possible to start with crude oil and end up with gasoline and all of these other products?­

Oil Alternatives

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In­ this article, we will examine the chemistry and technology involved in refining crude oil to produce all of these different things.

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