What is the primary function of a refinery in the petroleum industry?

The primary function of a refinery in the petroleum industry is to separate crude oil into fractions with similar boiling points. This process is known as fractional distillation. During this process, crude oil is heated and the various components are separated based on their boiling points. Each fraction contains hydrocarbons with similar molecular weights and properties, which can then be further processed into various products, such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.

This separation is essential because crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, and refining it enables the production of high-demand fuels and other petroleum products that serve different purposes. The fractions obtained can then undergo additional refining processes to optimize their properties for specific applications.