What is crude oil and how is petrol derived from it?

Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons. The crude oil is evaporatedand its vapours condense at different temperatures in the fractionating column. 

As you go up the fractionating column, the hydrocarbons have lower boiling points, lower viscosity (they flow more easily) and higher flammability (they ignite more easily).

The heavist hydrocarbons are distillated first at the bottom of the column at high temperatures of up to 350oC. These are molecules can be used for bitumen, diesel and even kerosene (plane fuel).

TP

Related Science GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A person touches a hot pan by accident and their hand automatically moves away. What type of response is this? Describe how the structures involved cause the response. (5 marks)


How do I balance an equation for a reaction, such as complete combustion of ethene?


Describe the electrical conductance system of the heart?


What are the three types of radiation?