A Refiner's Viewpoint on MOTOR FUEL QUALITY

OF the many gasoline characteristics in which the consumer is interested, a limited number are subject to close control by the refiner. The most important of these-antiknock sequality, vapor pressure, and distillation-are controlled largely by the requirements of modern automotive engines as determined by road tests and by customer acceptance.

The various processes which the refiner uses to control the properties of his gasoline involve to a considerable extent the complete rebuilding of crude oil molecules which form the starting point of the refining process.

The refiner's problem includes not only the manufacture of gasoline to meet a variety of automotive requirements, but the production of sufficient quantities of fuel with the greatest economic efficiency.