Öljänraakaus

Öljänraakaus is a term of Finnish origin that can be understood as the process of refining crude oil. It refers to the complex series of operations required to transform raw petroleum into usable products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and various petrochemical feedstocks. This transformation is achieved through physical and chemical processes that separate and alter the hydrocarbon molecules present in crude oil.

The primary method employed in oil refining is fractional distillation. Crude oil is heated and introduced into a distillation column, where different components vaporize and condense at different temperatures. Lighter fractions, with lower boiling points, rise higher in the column before condensing, yielding products like naphtha and gasoline. Heavier fractions, with higher boiling points, remain lower in the column or are drawn off as residues, from which lubricants, asphalt, and fuel oil are produced.

Beyond distillation, other crucial refining processes include cracking, reforming, and treating. Cracking breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more valuable ones, increasing the yield of lighter products. Reforming alters the molecular structure of hydrocarbons to improve the octane rating of gasoline. Treating processes remove impurities like sulfur, nitrogen, and metals to meet environmental standards and prevent corrosion in engines and equipment. The efficiency and specific methods used in öljänraakaus vary depending on the composition of the crude oil and the desired end products.