Petroleum Refining

Exploring Crude Oil

A journey into the fascinating world of crude oil, its extraction, refining, and impact on the global economy and environment.

Crude Oil: A Vital Resource

Crude oil is a fossil fuel that is essential for various purposes. It is used to produce fuels for transportation, heating, and electricity generation. Additionally, it serves as a raw material for manufacturing plastics and numerous petrochemicals. Crude oil is a complex mixture of compounds that can be separated through fractional distillation.

Multiple Choice

What is crude oil primarily used for?

• Transportation fuels

• Plastics manufacturing

• Electricity generation

• Food production

Multiple Choice

What term is given to a compound which contains atoms of carbon and hydrogen only?

• alkene

• hydrocarbon

• alkane

• saturated

Multiple Choice

Alkanes have the general formula:

• CnH2n

• CnH2n+1

• CnH2n+2

• CnHn

Multiple Choice

Crude oil is made up of:

• Ethane

• Butane

• A mixture of different hydrocarbons

• Extremely large hydrocarbons which are broken up once extracted

Multiple Choice

A fraction of crude oil is made up of:

• Hydrocarbons of similar chain lengths

• Numbers

• Large hydrocarbons

• Alkenes only

Crude Oil:

Trivia: Crude oil is primarily used for plastics manufacturing. It is the main ingredient in the production of various plastic products, from bottles to toys. Additionally, crude oil is also used to make synthetic fibers, such as polyester, which are widely used in the textile industry.

Exploring Crude Oil

Crude oil is found in sedimentary rocks under the sea bed. Oil rigs are used to drill through the sea bed and extract the oil. It is then transported through pipelines to oil tanker terminals or refineries on land. Many compounds in crude oil are hydrocarbons, containing carbon and hydrogen elements.

Multiple Choice

Where is crude oil found?

• In sedimentary rocks under the sea bed

• In igneous rocks on land

• In volcanic rocks under the sea bed

• In metamorphic rocks on land

Crude Oil:

In igneous rocks on land is where crude oil is found. It is a fascinating fact that this valuable resource is not only found under the sea bed but also in rocks on land. Crude oil is formed over millions of years and is a vital source of energy for various industries worldwide.

Exploring Crude Oil

Crude oil is primarily composed of alkanes, which are hydrocarbon compounds. Alkanes have a single chain of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms bonded to them. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2. Methane (CH4) and ethane (C2H6) are examples of alkanes. Alkanes play a crucial role in the world of crude oil.

Crude Oil: Propane

Propane is the simplest alkane with the formula C3H8. It is a saturated hydrocarbon, meaning it contains carbon atoms joined by single carbon–carbon covalent bonds. Saturated hydrocarbons have no double or triple bonds. Propane is commonly used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and transportation. It is also a key component in the production of plastics and other chemicals. Explore the world of crude oil and its various applications!

Multiple Choice

What is the chemical formula of propane?

• C2H6

• C3H8

• C4H10

• C5H12

Propane: Fun Fact

Did you know? Propane, with the chemical formula C3H8, is commonly used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and even as a propellant in aerosol cans. It is odorless, but a distinctive smell is added to detect leaks. Propane is also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and is stored under pressure to keep it in a liquid state.

• Propane is a byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
• It is highly flammable and can be used as a fuel for vehicles.
• Propane is environmentally friendly, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to other fossil fuels.

Multiple Choice

What process is used to separate crude oil in hydrocarbons with different chain lengths?

• distillation

• fractional distillation

• cracking

• polymerisation

Multiple Choice

Where in the fractionating column are shorter chain hydrocarbon molecules obtained?

• At the top

• At the bottom

Multiple Choice

Fractional distillation separates crude oil based on the different __________ of the molecules in the mixture

• melting point

• boiling point

• freezing point

• chemical reactivity

Multiple Choice

Molecules collected at the bottom of the fractionating column tend to be...

• more viscous, less flammable and less volatile

• less viscous, more flammable and more volatile

• more viscous, more flammable and less volatile

• less viscous, less flammable and more volatile

Multiple Choice

Molecules collected at the top of the fractionating column tend to be...

• more viscous, less flammable and less volatile

• less viscous, more flammable and more volatile

• more viscous, more flammable and less volatile

• less viscous, less flammable and more volatile

Multiple Choice

Shorter hydrocarbons have:

• Higher boiling points

• Lower boiling points

Multiple Choice

Gases/LPG are used for:

• Fuel in cars

• Fuel for large ships

• Roof and road surfacing

• Domestic heating and cooking

Multiple Choice

Petrol is used for:

• Fuel in cars

• Fuel in aircraft

• Domestic heating and cooking

• Road surfacing

Multiple Choice

Kerosene (paraffin) is used for:

• Fuel for cars

• Domestic heating and cooking

• Fuel in aircraft

• Fuel for large ships and in power stations

Multiple Choice

Diesel oil is used for:

• Fuel in cars

• Fuel in aircraft

• Road and roof surfacing

• Fuel in some cars and larger vehicles

Multiple Choice

Fuel oil is used for:

• Fuel in some cars and larger vehicles

• Fuel for large ships and in some power stations

• Roof and road surfacing

• Fuel for cars

Multiple Choice

Bitumen is used for:

• Fuel for large ships and in some power stations

• Roof and road surfacing

• Fuel in aircraft

• Fuel in cars

Multiple Choice

What is the structure shown?

• Methane

• Propane

• Ethane

• Butane

Multiple Choice

Petroleum and natural gas form from...

• strong winds
• cooled magma
• radioactive materials
• remains of plants and animals 

Multiple Choice

Crude oil is also called what?

• biomass
• fossils
• coal
• petroleum

Multiple Choice

Where do long chain hydrocarbons collect?

• At the top

• In the middle

• At the bottom

Multiple Choice

Where do short chain hydrocarbons collect?

• At the top

• In the middle

• At the bottom

Multiple Choice

What does viscosity tell you about a hydrocarbon?

• How easy it is to ignite

• How runny it is

• What is boiling point is

Multiple Choice

The shorter the hydrocarbon, the more viscous it is

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What process happens as the crude oil enters the fractionating column?

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Combustion

Multiple Choice

What process happens at each level in the fractionating column?

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Combustion