How is the purification of crude oil performed?

Crude oil purification is performed through a process called refining, which involves separating and purifying the various hydrocarbons in crude oil. This is done through fractional distillation, where the crude oil is heated, and different components are separated based on their boiling points. Further processes, such as catalytic cracking and hydrocracking, may be used to break down larger molecules into smaller, more useful ones. After distillation, impurities like sulfur are removed through treatments like desulfurization.