1.3 - Petroleum

Question 1

Define petroleum and crude oil?

Answer 1

A mixture of hydrocarbons and small amounts of other substances found deep within Earth

Petroleum is fossil fuel because it is formed from the remains of fossilized material.

Crude oil is the dark, flammable, foul-smelling liquid part of petroleum

Question 2

What is the first step in the refining of petroleum?

Answer 2

Petroleum refining starts with the distillation of crude oil into fractions in a big metal tower called the fractionating tower.

The tower separates crude oil into fractions containing compounds having a range of boiling points.

Question 3

What are the main fractions of crude oil?

Answer 3

The main fractions of crude oil are hydrocarbon gases, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel and diesel fuel, lubricating oil, and asphalt

Question 4

Name the six main fractions obtained by the fractional distillation of crude oil according to increasing boiling points?

Answer 4

Hydrocarbon gases, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel and diesel fuel, lubricating oil, and asphalt

Question 5

State the boiling point of each fraction (petroleum compounds)

Answer 5

Hydrocarbon gases > Below 20°C
Gasoline > 40°C - 200°C
Kerosene > 175°C - 275°C
Jet fuel and Diesel fuel > 250°C - 400°C ​
lubricating oil > Above 300°C
Asphalt > Above 350°C

Question 6

List some uses of petroleum compounds?

Answer 6

Hydrocarbon gases:
Fuel for domestic use: heating homes and cooking

Gasoline:
Fuel for cars, solvents

Kerosene:
Aircraft fuel

Jet fuel and diesel fuel:
Aircraft fuel and fuel for vehicles using diesel

Lubricating oil:
Oil, waxes, polishes

Asphalt:
Making roads and roofs

Question 7

What are other products of petroleum that can be obtained by further separating crude oil fractions into individual compounds?

Answer 7

(can be used to make products ranging from medicines such as aspirin to insecticides, printers’ ink, flavorings, and dyes)