Fractional Distillation

• What is the main topic of today's video?

  The separation of crude oil into its different components using fractional distillation
• What is crude oil primarily composed of?

  Mostly hydrocarbons, which contain only hydrogen and carbon
• How is crude oil formed?

  From the remains of dead plants and animals, particularly plankton
• What conditions contribute to the formation of crude oil?

  High pressures and temperatures over millions of years
• How long does it take for crude oil to form?

  Millions of years
• Why is crude oil considered a finite resource?

  Because it takes a long time to form and we are extracting it at a rapid rate
• What term is used to describe fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas?

  Non-renewable fuels
• What is the purpose of fractional distillation in crude oil processing?

  To separate different hydrocarbons based on their boiling points
• What is the first step in the fractional distillation process?

  Feed the oil into a chamber and heat it until it turns into gas
• How does the temperature gradient in the fractionating column affect the separation of hydrocarbons?

  Hot gases rise and condense into liquids at lower temperatures
• Which hydrocarbons condense first in the fractional distillation process?

  The longest chain hydrocarbons with the highest boiling points
• What are some examples of products obtained from the heavier fractions of crude oil?

  Bitumen and heavy fuel oil
• What types of fuels are derived from shorter chain hydrocarbons?

  Diesel, petrol, and kerosene
• What does LPG stand for?

  Liquefied petroleum gas
• What are the characteristics of the hydrocarbons at the top of the fractionating column?

  They are shorter chains and more flammable
• What happens to longer chain hydrocarbons that are poor fuels?

  They can be broken down into smaller hydrocarbons in a process called cracking
• What are petrochemicals used for?

  As feedstock for making solvents, lubricants, polymers, and detergents
• What is the process of fractional distillation in crude oil separation?

  1. Heat crude oil to turn it into gas.
  2. Pass the gas into a fractionating column.
  3. Gases rise and cool, condensing at different temperatures.
  4. Collect liquids based on their boiling points.
  5. Use different fractions for various applications.
• What are the differences between the hydrocarbons at the top and bottom of the fractionating column?

  • Top: Shorter chain hydrocarbons, more flammable, used as fuels (e.g., petrol, diesel).
  • Bottom: Longer chain hydrocarbons, less flammable, used for other purposes or cracked into smaller hydrocarbons.