I built a refinery simulator game to explain job to my kids
Hi HN, I’m a chemical engineer and I manage logistics at a refinery down in Texas. Whenever I try to explain downstream operations to people outside the industry (including my kids), I usually get blank stares. I wanted to build something that visualizes the concepts and chemistry of a plant without completely dumbing down the science, so I put together this 5-minute browser game. Here's a simple runthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is-moBz6upU. I pushed to get through a full product pathway to show the V-804 replay. I am not a software developer by trade, so I relied…
I built a refinery simulator game to explain job to my kids launched on March 11, 2026 with 127 votes, #309 of 23,380 launches that month and more than 95% of that year's launches.
In plain words
This browser-based simulator game teaches refinery operations and chemical processes through interactive gameplay. Built by a chemical engineer to explain downstream operations to his children and others unfamiliar with the industry, it visualizes real concepts without oversimplifying the science. The game runs in a five-minute session and includes physics-based minigames. It's designed for anyone curious about how refineries work, from kids to industry newcomers seeking accessible education about chemical engineering and logistics.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
The Great Refinery Run is a free, interactive simulator that demystifies the energy sector for kids and adults. Built from scratch in vanilla JS, this web game translates complex downstream operations—like crude desalting and HF Alkylation—into an intuitive drag-and-drop experience. Your goal: bring crude from the ground through the refinery to delivering product to consumers. It is 100% free, with zero ads and zero friction. Perfect for classroom STEM education and curious minds alike.
Play The Great Refinery Run! An interactive STEM game that puts you in the control room. Learn petroleum refining, distillation, and gasoline blending with this engaging companion to the book Fueling Curiosity.
From Crude to Consumer — guide oil through every step of the refinery! Browse every refinery fun fact. No gameplay. No V-804 credit. Tap the pump jack, the tank, or the button to extract crude oil! Crude oil has salty water in it! Zap the salt 🧂 and water 💧 before they escape the grid! But don't zap the oil ⚫️! Inside the tower, crude oil gets heated and separates by weight! Choose a product path: Tap the 🫧 molecules in the emulsion layer to make Alkylate! Warning: Drag the dark tar (ASO) 🟤 to the Acid Regen box before acid purity drops below 80%! Naphtha is low octane! 🔥 the furnace to heat the straight molecules, release Hydrogen, and reshape them into powerful Ring ⬡ molecules!…from fuelingcuriosity.com
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi HN, I’m a chemical engineer and I manage logistics at a refinery down in Texas. Whenever I try to explain downstream operations to people outside the industry (including my kids), I usually get blank stares. I wanted to build something that visualizes the concepts and chemistry of a plant without completely…
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