refine

Refining (also perhaps called by the mathematical term affining) is the process of purification of a (1) substance or a (2) form. The term is usually used of a natural resource that is almost in a usable form, but which is more useful in its pure form. For instance, most types of natural petroleum will burn straight from the ground, but it will burn poorly and quickly clog an engine with residues and by-products. The term is broad, and may include more drastic transformations, such as the reduction of ore to metal (for which see Refining (metallurgy)).

Der Begriff Raffination (Raffinieren, oder Raffinierung) bezeichnet im allgemeinen Sinne ein technisches Verfahren zur Reinigung, Veredlung, Trennung und/oder Konzentration von Rohstoffen, Nahrungsmitteln und technischen Produkten. In einer Raffinerie findet man Anlagen zur Raffination von Zucker, Erdöl, Metallen oder anderen Stoffen.

Raffinage is het industrieel zuiveren van een chemische stof, door middel van destillatie (met een fractioneerkolom), extractie of een ander proces.