öljynjalostamo

An öljanjalostamo, or oil refinery, is an industrial plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful products. This process involves separating crude oil into various fractions based on their boiling points through a process called fractional distillation. These fractions include gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, kerosene, lubricating oils, and asphalt.

The refining process typically begins with the crude oil being heated in a furnace and then entering a distillation column. Inside the column, different components vaporize and rise to different levels, where they are condensed and collected. Further processing steps, such as cracking, reforming, and treating, are often employed to convert less desirable fractions into more valuable ones or to remove impurities like sulfur.

Refineries play a crucial role in the global energy supply chain, transforming raw petroleum into the fuels and materials that power transportation, industry, and everyday life. Environmental considerations are a significant aspect of refinery operations, with regulations in place to minimize air and water pollution. Modern refineries invest in technologies to improve efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.