Crude Oil Flashcards
1
Q
What is crude oil
A
A mixture of mainly hydrocarbon molecules
2
Q
How is oil formed
A
From the remains of plants and animals that are buried under rock for over millions of years and a high temperature/pressure environment
3
Q
How do we separate crude oil
A
By fractional distillation
4
Q
Explain fractional distillation
A
- heat the crude oil mixture at around 500 degrees, so it evaporates into a gas at the bottom of the fractional distillation column
- The gas’ condense off into liquid fractions, as they have different boiling points (hot at bottom/ cool at top)
5
Q
Where do long chain molecules condense off at
A
the bottom
6
Q
Where do short chain molecules condense off at
A
the top
