fractional distillation of crude oil

Question 1

what technique is used to separate the hydrocarbons in crude oil to be useful?

Answer 1

fractional distillation

Question 2

where does fractional distillation take place?

Answer 2

very large columns which are found in oil refineries.

Question 3

describe the fractional distillation process

Answer 3

crude oil is heated to a very high temperature- causes crude oil to boil

all of the hydrocarbons evaporate and turn into a gas

the crude oil vapour is now fed into the fractional. distillation column

The column is hotter at the bottom and cooler at the top

the hydrocarbon vapours now rise up the column, hydrocarbons condense when they reach their boiling point

the liquid fractions are then removed

the remaining hydrocarbons continue moving up the column

these now condense when they reach their boiling points

Question 4

very long chain hydrocarbons have very high boiling points and are moved to the ______ of the column

Answer 4

bottom

Question 5

very short chain hydrocarbons have very low boiling points and are not condensed and removed from the ____ of the column as _____

Answer 5

very short chain hydrocarbons have very low boiling points and are not condensed and removed from the top of the column as gases.

Question 6

what do fractions contain

what can these be used for

Answer 6

fractions contain hydrocarbons with a similar number of carbon atoms

Question 7

what can some fractions be used for

Answer 7

some fractions are used as fuels
( eg petrol & diesel, kerosene, heavy fuel oil, liquified petroleum gas)

some fractions are used as feedstock for the petrochemical industry
( eg solvents, lubricants, detergents, polymers)

Question 8

what is a feedstock

Answer 8

a feedstock is a chemical that is used to make other chemicals