Fractional Distillation

• What is the process used to separate different hydrocarbons from crude oil?

  Fractional distillation
• Why can't crude oil be used directly as a fuel?

  Because the different hydrocarbons have to be separated first
• What is crude oil made from?

  Remains of plants and animals buried in mud millions of years ago
• How is crude oil formed over time?

  Through high temperature and pressure over millions of years
• What are fossil fuels?

  Resources that take a long time to form and are being used up faster than they are created
• What happens to the hydrocarbons during fractional distillation?

  They are separated based on their boiling points
• What is the process of fractional distillation in crude oil separation?

  1. Crude oil is heated until most turns into gas.
  2. A temperature gradient is established in the fractionating column.
  3. Longer hydrocarbons with high boiling points condense near the bottom.
  4. Shorter hydrocarbons with lower boiling points condense near the top.
  5. Different fractions are collected based on their boiling points.
• Where do longer hydrocarbons condense during fractional distillation?

  Near the bottom of the fractionating column
• What is the approximate number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbons in the LPG fraction?

  3 to 4 carbon atoms
• What is the significance of the boiling points of hydrocarbons in fractional distillation?

  They determine where the hydrocarbons condense in the column
• What is one of the products obtained from crude oil?

  Petrol
• What is cracking in the context of hydrocarbons?

  A process used to break down larger hydrocarbons into smaller ones
• What is bitumen?

  A heavy, thick form of crude oil
• How much petrol is typically found in crude oil?

  Just a fraction
• What are the main uses of crude oil products?

  • Fuel for transportation (petrol, diesel)
  • Heating (LPG)
  • Raw materials for chemical products
  • Energy generation