Conversion (Refining)

In energy, conversion is the transformation of one type of energy to another. For example, an internal combustion engine converts the chemical energy of fuel into mechanical energy, which enables a vehicle to move. In refining, conversion refers to the transformation of the petroleum fractions not widely used in the industry, usually heavy distillates, to fractions with properties in high demand, such as lighter distillates. The main conversion processes are catalytic reforming, catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, alkylation and isomerization.