What is the purpose of blending in the refining process?

Blending serves the crucial purpose of creating a product that meets specific quality standards in the refining process. Refineries produce various components from crude oil, each with distinct characteristics. By blending these components, refiners can formulate fuels and other products that align with regulatory requirements and market expectations. This can involve adjusting the properties such as viscosity, volatility, and purity to ensure the final product performs optimally for its intended use.

For example, blending can be applied to gasoline to enhance its performance by optimizing its octane rating, but the primary driver is to ensure that the final product adheres to standards for emissions, engine performance, and consumer satisfaction. This process allows refiners to effectively manage variations in crude oil quality and to meet changing regulations while maximizing efficiency and profitability.