7.1.2 Fractional Distillation & Petrochemicals

• Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons that is not very useful in its raw state
• Fractions are the different hydrocarbons that make up the crude oil mixture, which are enormously valuable with many different applications
• The size and length of each molecule determines which fraction it will be separated into
• Most fractions contain mainly alkanes, which are compounds of carbon and hydrogen with only single bonds between them
• Fuels used in modern transport

  • Petrol (gasoline)
  • Kerosene (jet fuel)
  • Diesel
• Products obtained from crude oil

  • Polymers
  • Lubricants
  • Solvents
  • Detergents
  • Adhesives
• LPG


  Used for domestic heating and cooking
• Petrol


  Used for car fuel (gasoline)
• Kerosene


  Used for jet fuel
• Diesel


  Used for diesel engines
• Heavy fuel oil


  Used for ships and power stations
• Bitumen


  Used for surfacing roads and roofs