fractional distillation of crude oil

• What is the main technique used to separate hydrocarbons in crude oil?

  Fractional distillation
• Why do hydrocarbons in crude oil need to be separated?

  To make them useful for various applications
• What is a hydrocarbon?

  A molecule made of hydrogen and carbon
• How does the boiling point of hydrocarbons relate to their chain length?

  Longer chains have higher boiling points
• What are the stages of fractional distillation?

  1. Crude oil is heated to high temperatures.
  2. Hydrocarbons evaporate and turn to gas.
  3. Vapor enters the fractional distillation column.
  4. Column is hotter at the bottom, cooler at the top.
  5. Hydrocarbons rise and condense at boiling points.
  6. Liquid fractions are removed.
  7. Remaining hydrocarbons continue to rise and condense.
• Where does fractional distillation typically take place?

  In large columns at oil refineries
• What happens to hydrocarbons when they reach their boiling point in the column?

  They condense back to a liquid
• How are very long chain hydrocarbons removed from the fractional distillation column?

  From the bottom of the column
• How are very short chain hydrocarbons removed from the column?

  As gases from the top of the column
• What are some uses of the fractions produced by fractional distillation?

  • Petrol and Diesel: Fuel for cars
  • Kerosene: Jet fuel
  • Heavy fuel oil: Powers ships
  • Liquefied petroleum gas: Used in camping stoves
• What does the term 'feed stock' refer to in the petrochemical industry?

  • A chemical used to make other chemicals
  • Examples include solvents, lubricants, detergents, and polymers
• What is the purpose of the fractional distillation column being hotter at the bottom?

  To allow hydrocarbons to evaporate
• What happens to the crude oil vapor as it rises in the column?

  It cools and condenses at boiling points