Question

............... is not an intermediate distillate product in petroleum refining.

• A. Heavy fuel oils
• B. Diesel oils
• C. Lubricating oil
• D. Gas oil

Hint:

Intermediate distillates lie between gasoline and heavy fuel oils. Lubricating oils come from heavier fractions, not the intermediate cuts.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In petroleum refining, crude oil is separated into different fractions based on their boiling points through a process called fractional distillation.
Intermediate distillate products are those that boil in the mid-range temperature region. These typically include:
- Diesel oils (middle distillate)
- Gas oil (used for fuel and further processing)
Heavy fuel oils are not distillates but are rather residual products — the heavy fractions left after distillation. However, in some contexts, they are still considered when referring to downstream fuel products.
Lubricating oil, on the other hand, is not classified as an intermediate distillate. It is derived from the heavier fractions and undergoes further treatment such as dewaxing and refining to achieve the desired viscosity and properties.
Thus, among the given options, lubricating oil is not an intermediate distillate product — it is considered a heavy oil fraction that is specially processed.