öljynjalostusta

Öljynjalostus, commonly known as oil refining, is the process of separating crude oil into useful products. Crude oil itself is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, and its direct use is limited. Refining transforms this raw material into a range of refined products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel, lubricating oils, and asphalt.

The process begins with distillation, where crude oil is heated and separated into different fractions based on their boiling points. Lighter fractions, like gases and gasoline, vaporize at lower temperatures, while heavier fractions, such as fuel oil and bitumen, remain liquid. Following distillation, further processing steps like cracking, reforming, and treating are employed to enhance the yield and quality of desired products. Cracking breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more valuable ones, while reforming rearranges molecular structures to improve octane ratings in gasoline. Treating removes impurities like sulfur, which are harmful to the environment and equipment.

The output of a refinery is a diverse portfolio of fuels and petrochemical feedstocks that are essential for modern transportation, industry, and energy production. The specific products and processes can vary depending on the type of crude oil processed and the market demand for different refined products.