fractional distillation & crude oil

• What is crude oil primarily composed of?

  A mixture of hydrocarbons
• What is another name for crude oil?

  Petroleum
• What are the main components of crude oil?

  Alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons
• What is the range of alkane chain lengths in crude oil?

  From small molecules like pentane to over 50 carbons
• Why is the range of boiling points in crude oil important?

  It allows for separation by fractional distillation
• What is the boiling point range of crude oil?

  From 162°C to more than 350°C
• What is fractional distillation used for in crude oil processing?

  • Separates hydrocarbon components
  • Based on boiling points
  • Involves heating crude oil to vaporize it
• At what temperature is crude oil heated for fractional distillation?

  About 350°C
• What happens to the vaporized components in the fractionating column?

  They condense at different temperatures
• How does the boiling point affect the separation of hydrocarbons in fractional distillation?

  Higher boiling points condense first, lower last
• What are the key steps in fractional distillation?

  1. Heat crude oil above 350°C
  2. Vapours enter a fractionating column
  3. Vapours cool and condense on trays
  4. Collect fractions at specific intervals
• What happens to the smallest hydrocarbons during fractional distillation?

  They remain as gases at the top
• What is the trend in boiling points as you move down the fractionating column?

  Boiling points increase progressively down the column
• How does viscosity change in the fractions collected from crude oil?

  Viscosity increases as you move down the column
• How does flammability change in the fractions collected from crude oil?

  Flammability decreases down the fractionating column
• What are the main fractions obtained from crude oil and their uses?

  • Gases (1-4 C): LPG, camping gas
  • Petrol (5-12 C): Fuel for vehicles
  • Naphtha (7-14 C): Petrochemical feedstock
  • Kerosene (11-15 C): Jet fuel, heating fuel
  • Gas Oil (15-19 C): Diesel engines, heating
  • Mineral Oil (20-30 C): Lubricants
  • Fuel Oil (30-40 C): Ships, power stations
  • Wax, Grease (40-50 C): Candles, lubricants
  • Bitumen (50+ C): Roofing, roads
• What is the use of petrol (gasoline) obtained from crude oil?

  Fuel for vehicles
• What is the use of kerosene obtained from crude oil?

  Jet fuel and heating fuel
• What is the use of bitumen obtained from crude oil?

  Roofing and roads
• What is the use of gas oil obtained from crude oil?

  Diesel engines and heating
• What is the use of mineral oil obtained from crude oil?

  Lubricants
• What is the use of wax and grease obtained from crude oil?

  Candles and lubricants
• What is the use of naphtha obtained from crude oil?

  Petrochemical feedstock
• What is the use of fuel oil obtained from crude oil?

  Ships and power stations