How Lubricating Oil Is Made: Step-by-Step Manufacturing Process

Lubricating oil is essential for keeping engines and machinery running smoothly by reducing friction and wear. But have you ever wondered how it’s made? This article provides a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of the lubricating oil manufacturing process, from crude oil extraction to the final product.

1. Crude Oil Extraction and Transportation

The journey of lubricating oil begins with crude oil, a naturally occurring fossil fuel extracted from underground reservoirs. Once extracted, the crude oil is transported to refineries via pipelines, tankers, or trucks.

2. Refining Crude Oil: Distillation Process

At the refinery, crude oil undergoes distillation in a fractional distillation tower. The process involves heating the crude oil to separate it into different components based on boiling points:

--Light hydrocarbons (e.g., gasoline, diesel) evaporate first.

--Medium-weight fractions (e.g., kerosene, jet fuel) are collected next.

--Heavier fractions, including lubricating oil base stocks, remain at the bottom.

The heavy residue from distillation, called vacuum gas oil (VGO), is further processed to produce lubricating oil.

3. Further Processing: Hydrotreating and Dewaxing

To improve the quality of the base oil, refineries use additional treatments:

A. Hydrotreating (Hydroprocessing)

Hydrotreating removes impurities like sulfur, nitrogen, and metals by reacting the oil with hydrogen under high pressure and temperature. This enhances oxidation stability and viscosity.

B. Solvent Refining or Hydrocracking

Solvent refining uses solvents like furfural to extract undesirable components.

Hydrocracking breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more stable ones, improving viscosity and performance.

C. Dewaxing

Since heavy oils contain paraffin waxes that can solidify at low temperatures, dewaxing is necessary. This is done through:

Solvent dewaxing (using chemicals like MEK)

Catalytic dewaxing (using specialized catalysts)

4. Blending Additives for Enhanced Performance

Pure base oil alone isn’t enough—additives are mixed in to enhance performance. Common additives include:

--Viscosity index improvers (to maintain thickness across temperatures)

--Detergents & dispersants (to prevent sludge buildup)

--Anti-wear agents (e.g., zinc dialkyldithiophosphate)

--Anti-oxidants (to prevent degradation)

--Friction modifiers (for fuel efficiency)

The exact blend depends on the oil’s intended use (e.g., engine oil, gear oil, hydraulic fluid).

5. Quality Testing and Packaging

Before distribution, the lubricating oil undergoes rigorous testing:

--Viscosity checks (SAE grade standards）

--Flash point and pour point tests (temperature stability)

--Oxidation resistance tests

Engine performance tests (for automotive oils)

Once approved, the oil is packaged into bottles, drums, or bulk containers for shipping.

The journey from crude oil to high-performance lubricating oil involves precision refining, advanced processing, and expert blending. At Conlysen, we combine cutting-edge technology with rigorous quality control to deliver superior lubricants that enhance engine longevity and efficiency.

Whether for automotive, industrial, or other applications, Conlysen ensures optimal protection and performance. Explore our range today and experience the difference quality makes!