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Making crude oil useful
Before crude oil can be used, it must first be separated into
fractions. This process is called fractional distillation.

Each fraction contains a mixture

of different hydrocarbon
molecules of a similar size
and with similar properties.

Very large molecules can be

split into several smaller
molecules, which are more
useful. This process is
called catalytic cracking.

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Boiling point of fractions
Each fraction of crude oil contains a mixture of different
compounds. This means that the boiling point of the fraction
is not a fixed temperature but a range.

Fraction Boiling point (°C)

LPG <0
gasoline 20-200
naphtha 20-180
kerosene 180-260
diesel 260-340
lubricating oil 370-600
fuel oil >330
residue n/a
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Volatility and flammability
Fractions that have a low boiling point evaporate easily.
The easier a fraction evaporates, the more volatile it is.
When fractions burn,
they react with oxygen
in the air.
The more volatile a
fraction is, the easier it
mixes with air. This
means the fraction
ignites and burns easily.
Fractions that ignite and burn easily are flammable.
Generally, the smaller the molecules in a fraction,
the more volatile and flammable the fraction.
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Composition of crude oil
The exact composition of crude oil depends on where in the
world the oil comes from.
fuel oil LPG
Crude oil from the gasoline
North Sea is a ‘light’ oil
because it contains a
large amount of small
molecules and so a
larger proportion of kerosene
lighter fractions.

diesel
Crude oil from Saudi Arabia is a
‘heavy’ oil because it contains a large amount of large
molecules and so a larger proportion of heavier fractions.

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What is viscosity?
Some fractions of crude oil are thin and runny. Other
fractions are thick and sticky. The runniness of a liquid is
called viscosity.

For example, the residue from fractional distillation has a very

high viscosity (it is viscous) and cannot be easily poured.
Gasoline has a low viscosity and pours easily.

What is the relationship between the length of a hydrocarbon

chain and the viscosity of a fraction?

The longer the hydrocarbon chains in a

fraction, the more viscous the fraction will be.

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Molecule size and viscosity
Why are fractions with large hydrocarbon molecules more
viscous than fractions with small hydrocarbon molecules?

The longer chains of large Smaller molecules have

hydrocarbon molecules are shorter chains and are less
easily entangled. likely to become entangled.

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Colour of fractions
The colour of a fraction depends on the size of the
molecules it contains.

As the molecules get smaller, the colour of the fraction

becomes lighter, from dark brown to light brown,
orange/yellow and colourless.

decrease in size of molecules

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Properties of fractions
How do the properties of a fraction affect its uses?

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How important are these fractions?

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Hydrocarbons as fuels
Over 85% of crude oil is used as a fuel for heating and
transport. Only 8% is used to make plastics and other
chemicals.

A large amount of oil is

used as fuel because
the hydrocarbons in the
fractions burn easily and
produce a large amount
of useful energy.

A fuel is a substance that reacts with oxygen to produce

useful energy.

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What is LPG used for?
Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) contains propane and butane.
They are stored under pressure in metal cylinders.

LPG is used for heating and

cooking, especially where piped
gas cannot be used, such as
camp sites and boats.

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What is gasoline used for?
Gasoline is one of the most important fractions because it is
used as a fuel for cars.

The gasoline fraction must

be refined before it can be
used in cars as petrol.
Impurities are removed,
and chemicals are added
to ensure the engine runs
smoothly.

In the past, these chemicals were lead compounds but

because of lead’s harmful effect on health and the
environment, they have been replaced by safer compounds.

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What is naphtha used for?
Naphtha is a very important fraction that has many uses.
For example, it is:

 a raw material
(feedstock) in the
production of chemicals
and plastics

 used as a cleaning fluid and industrial solvent

(a substance that can dissolve another substance)
 added to petrol and other fuels.

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What are kerosene and diesel used for?
Kerosene, also called
paraffin, is mainly used
as aviation fuel for jet
aircraft. It is also used in
central heating systems,
lamps and stoves.

Diesel is mainly used as

a fuel for lorries, buses
and cars, and in some
boats.

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What are lubricating and fuel oil used for?
Lubricating oil, as its name
suggests, is used as a lubricant
in products with moving parts,
such as engines.

Fuel oil is a heavy

fraction used as a fuel
for large industrial
boilers, oil-fired power
stations and ships.

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What is the residue used for?
Residue contains paraffin waxes and bitumen, the heaviest
product to come from an oil refinery.
Paraffin waxes (not the
same as paraffin/kerosene)
are used in candles and
waterproofing.

Bitumen is used in road

construction and waterproof
roof material.

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Top users of crude oil

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 Glossary

 crude oil – A naturally-occurring mixture of different-sized

hydrocarbon molecules.

 flammable – A substance that easily catches fire.

 fraction – A mixture of hydrocarbon molecules with similar

boiling points.

 hydrocarbon – A molecule containing only hydrogen and

carbon.

 viscosity – A measure of how easily a liquid flows.

 volatile – A compound that evaporates easily.

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Anagrams

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Which fraction?

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Multiple-choice quiz

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