The Great Refinery Run – Interactive refinery simulation from crude oil to consumer products

Summary: The Great Refinery Run is a free, browser-based simulator that visualizes complex refinery processes through an interactive drag-and-drop interface. Built with over 9,000 lines of vanilla JavaScript and a customized Matter.js physics engine, it translates operations like crude desalting and HF alkylation into an educational experience.

What it does

It simulates downstream refinery operations by allowing users to move crude oil through stages such as electrostatic desalting and naphtha reforming using tap-and-drag mechanics. The app runs entirely in the browser without ads or logins.

Who it's for

Designed for educators, students, and anyone interested in learning about energy sector processes through STEM education.

Why it matters

It addresses the lack of accessible tools to teach complex refinery logistics by providing an interactive, frictionless learning platform.