1.4.3 Fractional Distillation

Question 1

What is petroleum?

Answer 1

Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly alkanes

Question 2

What increases the strength of the Van Der Waals’ in the hydrocarbons?

Answer 2

The length of the chain

Question 3

What does FD rely on?

Answer 3

It relies on the difference in boiling points

Question 4

What is FD used for?

Answer 4

FD is used to separate different components of crude oil

Question 5

Describe the temperature gradient in the fractionation column

Answer 5

The top is cooler than the bottom

Question 6

What happens to the liquid with the lowest boiling point?

Answer 6

It escapes from the top as a vapour. It is then condensed.

Question 7

What do the hydrocarbons do during FD?

Answer 7

They rise until they reach a fraction cool enough to condense them into a liquid

Question 8

What is a typical use of the gases fraction?

Answer 8

Camping gas

Question 9

What is a typical use of the petrol fraction?

Answer 9

Car fuel

Question 10

What is a typical use of the naphtha fraction?

Answer 10

Feedstock for chemical industry

Question 11

What is a typical use of the kerosene fraction?

Answer 11

Jet fuel

Question 12

What is a typical use of the mineral oil fraction?

Answer 12

Lubricating oil