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Fr.ction.l distill.tion of crude

oil
The m#jority of our fuels #nd pl#stics #re derived
from oil. Crude oil c#n be sep#r#ted into different
fr#ctions using fr#ction#l distill#tion.
P#rt of Science E.rth's m.teri.ls

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Fr.ction.l distill.tion of crude oil

Fr#ction#l distill#tion sep#r#tes # mixture into # number of different p#rts, c#lled
fr.ctions.

A t#ll fr#ction#ting column is fitted #bove the mixture, with sever#l condensers
coming off #t different heights. The column is hot #t the bottom #nd cool #t the
top. Subst#nces with high boiling points condense #t the bottom #nd
subst#nces with lower boiling points condense on the w#y to the top.

Crude oil is # mixture of hydroc.rbons . The crude oil is ev.por.ted #nd its
v#pours condense #t different temper#tures in the fr#ction#ting column. E#ch
fr#ction cont#ins hydroc#rbon molecules with # simil#r number of c#rbon #toms
#nd # simil#r r#nge of boiling points.

Oil fr.ctions

The di#gr#m below summ#rises the m#in fr#ctions from crude oil #nd their uses,
#nd the trends in properties. Note th#t the g.ses le.ve .t the top of the column,
the liquids condense in the middle #nd the solids st.y .t the bottom.

The fr#ction#ting column

As you go up the fr#ction#ting column, the hydroc#rbons h#ve:

1. lower boiling points

2. lower viscosity (they flow more e#sily)
3. higher fl#mm#bility (they ignite more e#sily).

Other fossil fuels

Crude oil is not the only fossil fuel .

N.tur.l g.s m#inly consists of meth#ne. It is used in domestic boilers, cookers

#nd Bunsen burners, #s well #s in some power st#tions.

Co.l w#s formed from the rem#ins of #ncient forests. It c#n be burned in power
st#tions. Co#l is m#inly c#rbon but it m#y #lso cont#in sulfur compounds, which
produce sulfur dioxide when the co#l is burned. This g#s is # c#use of .cid r.in .
Also, #s #ll fossil fuels cont#in c#rbon, the burning of #ny fossil fuel will
contribute to glob.l w.rming due to the production of c#rbon dioxide.

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4th level Subjects

English French Geogr.phy Germ.n
He.lth .nd wellbeing History Le.rning for Sust.in.bility M.ths
Modern L.ngu.ges Modern Studies Science Soci.l Studies
Sp.nish

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