Refineries: JAES Expertise Inspires a Documentary on Distillation

A refinery is a complex system where every component matters. Drawing on JAES’s experience supplying spare parts to these facilities, we created a documentary explaining how a distillation tower works: a multilingual project that brings industrial knowledge to an international audience.

The video explores one of the fundamental processes in refining. Crude oil is heated in a furnace and fed into the distillation tower, where the temperature decreases from bottom to top. Inside the tower, the different fractions separate according to their boiling points: lighter fractions are collected near the top, while heavier fractions are collected in the lower sections. This produces fractions such as naphtha, kerosene, and gas oil for further processing, while the heaviest residue collects at the bottom.

Through the documentary, we make these steps accessible to professionals, students, and enthusiasts, complementing our daily work with a clear goal: sharing knowledge about the facilities for which we supply components.

That same expertise supports refinery purchasing departments, which can turn to JAES for pumps, valves, motors, seals, instrumentation, and maintenance supplies. We handle requests for components from multiple manufacturers, providing a single point of contact from spare parts sourcing through delivery.

The brands we supply include CEMB, FOXBORO, INVENSYS, PETROGAS, PANAMETRICS, CEDASPE, DRÄGER, CEE ITALIANA, KLAUS UNION, SEKO, HONEYWELL, CEA, MOOG, JONELL FILTRATION, UNI GERÄTE, FANUC, MEGGITT, AEROMECCANICA STRANICH, R. STAHL, BROOKS INSTRUMENT, PROMINENT, BELDEN, FIREYE, and ROSEMOUNT.

Our support extends across borders: we help Italian refineries source spare parts from American manufacturers and American refineries procure European components. This service simplifies supply management, connecting plant requirements with an international, multibrand offering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Refineries and Spare Parts

How does a crude oil distillation tower work?

Crude oil is heated in a furnace and fed into the distillation tower, where the temperature decreases from bottom to top. The different fractions separate according to their boiling points: lighter fractions are collected near the top, while heavier fractions are collected in the lower sections.

Which fractions are obtained from crude oil distillation?

Distillation produces fractions such as naphtha, kerosene, and gas oil for further processing. The heaviest residue collects at the bottom of the tower. Distillation is therefore a fundamental stage of refining, but it does not complete the processing of these products.

What spare parts can JAES supply to refineries?

JAES supplies pumps, valves, motors, seals, instrumentation, and maintenance supplies. The service supports purchasing departments in finding and procuring the components their facilities need.

Can JAES handle requests for components from multiple manufacturers?

Yes. JAES handles requests for components from different manufacturers, providing a single point of contact from spare parts sourcing through delivery. This allows purchasing departments to coordinate their multibrand supply requirements through one contact.

Can JAES help source spare parts between Europe and the United States?

Yes. JAES helps Italian refineries source spare parts from American manufacturers and American refineries procure European components. The service connects plant requirements with an international, multibrand offering, simplifying supply management.