8/12/2019 Industrial Separation of a Mixture

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Industrial Separation of a Mixture

The task: Research and answer the questions that follow in relation toCRUDE 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 separatedby means offractionaldistillation.

-   First, the crude oil isentered into afurnace; the oil isheated to about 350degrees Celsius.

-   When the gas reachesa tray, it goesthrough a bubble cap,a cover hole thatpushes the gas downso that it has tobubble up through the liquid that has already condensed intothat tray.

-   Combined vapors from theheated crude oil then enter thebottom of the column.

-   The column is hot at thebottom, and cooler at the top, thisvarying difference in temperaturethroughout the column sorts thedifferent fractions from oneanother.

-   The larger hydrocarbons, withhigh boiling points turn back intoliquids at the base of the columnwhile 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.

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(c)   Identify the properties of the mixture used in its separation.

This process separates compounds by using the difference in boilingpoints between the components in the crude oil.

(d)   Identify the products of separation AND describe their uses.

Petroleum gas –     used for heating, cooking, making plasticsNaphtha Ligroin –     intermediate that will be further processed to makegasolineGasoline –     motor fuelKerosene –     fuel for jet engines and tractors, also a beginning materialused for making other productsGas oil Diesel distillate –     used for diesel fuel and heating oil, also abeginning material to make other productsLubricating oil –     for motor oil, grease and other lubricantsHeavy gas Fuel oil –     used for industrial fuel, also used as a beginningmaterial for making other productsResiduals –     a solid used as coke, asphalt, tar, waxes and also a startingmaterial to make other products.

(e)   Discuss issues associated with wastes from the processes used toseparate 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 notableodor associated with Oil refineries. Governments worldwide haveauthorized restrictions on contaminants that refineries release, havingmost refineries install equipment to comply with requirements ofenvironmental protection regulatory agencies.

(f)   Bibliography

http://bittooth.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/separating-different- components-from.html

http://www.condition-monitoring.com/refinery_process.htmhttp://www.scienceresources.co.uk/KS3/Chemistry/Chemical_Reactions/H 

 ydrocarbons/Distillation.htmhttp://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oilrefining2.ht mhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_refinery