Describe the characteristics of the various fractions from the fractional

distillation of petroleum

1. Petroleum in its natural state is a thick,sticky,black oil.Crude

petroleum or oil is not used.
2. Petroleum consists of various components that are very useful in
our daily life.
Petroleum has to be separated into different parts before it can be
used.
3. A. Petroleum is a mixture of several hydrocarbons that have
different boiling points.
B.This characteristic enables the different hydrocarbons in
petroleum to be separated into various components called fractions
by a process called fractional distillation.This process involves
boiling and condensation.

The colour,viscosity and combustibility of the fractions change

according to their boiling point range.
The characteristics of each petroleum fraction are noted based on
the following aspects:
Colour of the fractions
Viscosity of the liquid by rubbing it in between the fingers
The ability of the fraction to burn (combustility),colour of the
flame and the amount of soot produced.

As the boiling point range increases,the colour of the fractions

becomes darker,their viscosity increases,they become less
combustible and their flames give out more soot.The uses of the
fractions are related to their characteristics.

The fractions with the lowest boiling point will condense at the
highest level in the tower.
The fractions with highest boiling points will condense lower in the
tower.

The higher the boiling point of the fraction;

The darker the colour

The more viscous it becomes
The darker the colour of the flame
The higher the amount of soot produced