Sub-Product

Vacuum gas oil (VGO) is a complex hydrocarbon mixture produced during crude oil refining through vacuum distillation. It is obtained by processing atmospheric residue under vacuum conditions to lower the boiling point temperature, allowing for more efficient separation.

Key Characteristics

• Semi-liquid form of oil produced in vacuum refinement units
• Serves as a key feedstock for fluid catalytic crackers
• Consists of hydrocarbons with boiling range between 398-565°C

Types

Two main categories exist:

• Light Vacuum Gas Oil (LVGO)
• Heavy Vacuum Gas Oil (HVGO)

Applications

VGO primarily serves as:

• Feedstock in catalytic cracking units for producing gasoline and diesel
• Input for hydrocracking operations
• Component for fuel blending

The material's versatility and ability to be upgraded into valuable transportation fuels makes it an increasingly important intermediate product in modern refineries.

Source: Perplexity A.I., 26^th Jan 2024, Prompt 'Please provide a definition for vacuum gasoil'.