Gas Oil

  Gas oil is a heavier petroleum fraction than kerosine. It can be obtained from the atmospheric distillation of crude oils (atmospheric gas oil, AGO), from vacuum distillation of topped crudes (vacuum gas oil, VGO), or from cracking and hydrocracking units.

  Atmospheric gas oil has a relatively lower density and sulfur content than vacuum gas oil produced from the same crude. The aromatic content of gas oils varies appreciably, depending mainly on the crude type and the process to which it has been subjected. For example, the aromatic content is approximately 10% for light gas oil and may reach up to 50% for vacuum and cracked gas oil. Table 1-1 is a typical analysis of atmospheric and vacuum gas oils.

Table 1-1 Characteristics of typical atmospheric gas oil (AGO) and vacuum gas oil (VGO)

  A major use of gas oil is as a fuel for diesel engines. Another important use is as a feedstock to cracking and hydrocracking units. Gases produced from these units are suitable sources for light olefins and LPG.  Liquefied petroleum gas LPG may be used as a fuel, as a   feedstock to steam cracking units for olefin production, or as a feedstock for a Cyclar unit for the production of aromatics.