Industrial Separation of a Mixture

The task: Research and answer the questions that follow in relation to CRUDE OIL a mixture found in nature. (a) Identify the sphere in which the mixture is found.

The mixture is found in the lithosphere. (b) Detail the process of separation. A flow chart may be useful. Diagrams may also be useful.

Crude oil is separated by means of fractional distillation. First, the crude oil is entered into a furnace; the oil is heated to about 350 degrees Celsius. When the gas reaches a tray, it goes through a bubble cap, a cover hole that pushes the gas down so that it has to bubble up through the liquid that has already condensed into that tray. - Combined vapors from the heated crude oil then enter the bottom of the column. - The column is hot at the bottom, and cooler at the top, this varying difference in temperature throughout the column sorts the different fractions from one another. - The larger hydrocarbons, with high boiling points turn back into liquids at the base of the column while the smaller hydrocarbons stay as gases as they have a lower boiling point The components rise up and condense at different levels according to their boiling points.

(c)

Identify the properties of the mixture used in its separation.

This process separates compounds by using the difference in boiling points between the components in the crude oil. (d) Identify the products of separation AND describe their uses.

Petroleum gas used for heating, cooking, making plastics Naphtha/Ligroin intermediate that will be further processed to make gasoline Gasoline motor fuel Kerosene fuel for jet engines and tractors, also a beginning material used for making other products Gas oil / Diesel distillate used for diesel fuel and heating oil, also a beginning material to make other products Lubricating oil for motor oil, grease and other lubricants Heavy gas/Fuel oil used for industrial fuel, also used as a beginning material for making other products Residuals a solid used as coke, asphalt, tar, waxes and also a starting material to make other products. (e) Discuss issues associated with wastes from the processes used to separate the mixture into its useful components.

The process of crude oil separation releases several chemicals into the atmosphere that may contaminate the air. There has been a notable odor associated with Oil refineries. Governments worldwide have authorized restrictions on contaminants that refineries release, having most refineries install equipment to comply with requirements of environmental protection regulatory agencies. (f) Bibliography

http://bittooth.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/separating-differentcomponents-from.html http://www.condition-monitoring.com/refinery_process.htm http://www.scienceresources.co.uk/KS3/Chemistry/Chemical_Reactions/H ydrocarbons/Distillation.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oilrefining2.ht m http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_refinery