The SEPARATION of the crude oil mixture into fractions and the USES of these fractions A fraction is a mixture

of a restricted boiling point range of molecules, they have a similar number of carbon atoms and physical properties. The uses of the fractions depend on their physical and chemical properties. 2b. More on relating the physical properties of Crude oil is a complex mixture of mainly hydrocarbon compound molecules. A mixture consists of two or more elements or the fractions to their uses and dangers compounds which are not chemically combined. The chemical properties of each substance in the mixture is unchanged. Down the list above the molecule gets ... This means crude oil can be separated by physical methods, in this case byfractional distillation, because they have different 1. bigger as the carbon atom number in the ... Hydrocarbon molecules are boiling and condensation points. only made of a chemical molecule increases. The crude oil is heated to vapourise it (evaporated or boiled). combination of carbon and 2. ... more viscous as the intermolecular The most volatile fraction, i.e. the molecules with the lowest boiling hydrogen atoms. attractive forces between molecules points, boil or evaporate off first and go to the top of the column. increases, these forces always increase the The rest separate out according to their boiling/condensation point so They are compounds bigger the molecule in a series of that the highest boiling fraction, i.e. the less volatile molecules with because they consist of molecules of similar structure. higher boiling points, tend tocondense more easily lower down the atoms of that intermolecular forces are non-polar weak electrical attractive forces, often described as Van o Note at least two column. different elements. and correctly described as instantaneous dipole - induced dipole forces (by der Waals forces, The bigger the molecule, the greater the intermolecular attractive advanced level students only!). forces between the molecules, so the higher the boiling or 3. ... higher melting point as more vibrational kinetic energypoint (seephysical property intermolecular condensation is needed to overcome the trends). attractive forces holding the molecules together to form the crystals. 4. ... higher boiling point as more particle kinetic energy is needed to bonds like C-Cincreasing intermolecular the Note: Covalent chemical overcome the or C-H are not broken in forces*between the liquid molecules. process, only the intermolecular force of attraction is weakened to o Trends 3. and 4. are readily appreciated the initial evaporation or),boiling.petrol (about C5H12 to C7H16) allow e.g. methane gas (CH4 liquid and solid candle wax (over C21H44). THE FRACTIONAL DISTILLATIONOF names of C atoms boiling USES of the CRUDE OIL fractions in the range fraction - mainly depends on its molecule inoC physical properties - see 5. ... less flammable as they become less volatile, again due to increasing intermolecular forces. below this table Fuel Gas, LPG, 1 to 4 -160 to methane gas fuel, C3-4 easily Refinery Gas 20oC liquefied, portable energy source bottled gas for cooking (butane), This raises health and safety issues about handling, distributing and storing flammable higher pressure cylinders hydrocarbons. The smallest molecules (natural gas to petrol) are the most volatile and therefore the (propane)combustion-burning most easily ignited. Any naked flame or spark could set off a fire and explosion and even reaction details Gasoline, Petrol 5 to 11 20 to 60oC easily vaporised, highly flammable, easily ignited, car fuel

Naphtha 7 to 13 60 to no good as a fuel, but valuable source The refinery gas fractions, can be stored under pressure,C because the gas readily make other 180o and of organic molecules to flows, it can be conveniently pumped to burner systems, but it is easily ignited and explosive. things,cracked to make more petrol Vehicle fuels like petrol must be liquid for compact and convenient storage but they must bealkenes and easily vapourised to mix with air in the engine prior to ignition. The ease of vaporisation does however make them Paraffin, 10 to 16 120 to less flammable than petrol, domestic flammable! Kerosene 240o ignited. heater fuel, jet fuel Paraffin and kerosine are less flammable and safer, but not as easily C car and larger vehicle fuel Fuel oil is not too viscous to pump toDiesel oil, heating 15 to 25 domestic use. It is not very volatile and so a central Gas burner for 220 to oil 250oC not as flammable and dangerous to use as petrol or diesel etc. Lubricating oil must be quite viscous to Fuel oil, surfaces. 70 250 to stick onto 20 to Smaller molecules might be more runny but they not so easily evaporated, not as would evaporate away! It is also water repellent and helps reduce corrosion on moving machinestore for central lubricating oils 350oC flammable, safe to parts. Candle wax is very convenient as a solid for humble lamp (especially in power cuts!), but viaviscous (sticky) and and Waxes heating oil, quite a wick, the heat from the flame is sufficient to vaporise the hydrocarbons to burn them. can also be used for lubricating oils, clear waxes and polishes Bitumen is a water repellent solid at room temperature but is readily melted (sometimes too easily in hot Bitumen over 70 over forms a thick, black, tough and weather). Used as base for a road chipping top surface or sometimes directly. It is also used to waterproof 350oC resistant adhesive on cooling, used as roofing felt. waterproofing material and to sticks rock chips on roofs or road surfaces