WEEK 4

BASIC SCIENCE
REFINING OF CRUDE OIL:
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able
to;
1. Explain the meaning of refining of crude oil.
2. Discuss the process of fractional distillation of crude oil.
3. Name the fractions of crude oil.
4. State the uses of crude oil fractions.

Refining of Crude Oil: Refining of crude oil is the process of converting crude
oil into a range of useful products or components. It is the preparation of useful
products from crude oil. Refining involves the separation of the oil mixture into
different components called fractions. Refining of crude oil is done in the
refinery. In Nigeria, crude oil refineries are located in Port Harcourt, Warri and
Kaduna. Crude oil is sometimes referred to as black gold because of its high
value when refined. The fundamental process/method that separates crude oil
into its components is called fractional distillation.

Fractional distillation involves the separation of crude oil fractions based on

their different boiling points. The fractions with lower boiling points emerge at
the top of the fractionating tower while those with higher boiling points will
come out at the lower part of the tower.

The processes involved in fractional distillation of crude oil include;

1. Heating the crude oil in a furnace or heater at high temperature above

4000C by passing it through heating pipes in the furnace.
2. Passing the vapour through a fractionating tower/column and the
temperature varies from 4000C at the bottom to about 400C at the top.
3. Fractions of crude oil are collected from the different temperature levels
in the trays of the tower.
 DIAGRAM OF FRACTIONATING TOWER/COLUMN

FRACTIONS OF CRUDE OIL

The different fractions obtained during the refining of crude oil include;

1. Petroleum/refinery gas: These gases are obtained at the top of the

fractionating tower at temperature below 400C. They have the least
boiling points. Petroleum or refinery gases include methane, ethane,
propane, butane, etc. It is colourless.
2. Petrol or Gasoline: This is the second product with a relatively high
temperature than the refinery gases. Petrol is a volatile liquid and is
highly inflammable. Its appearance ranges from colourless to pale yellow.
3. Naphtha: This has higher number of carbon atoms per molecule than
petrol and is further refined to give petrol. It is very volatile.
 4. Kerosene or Paraffin oil: This is a liquid with higher number of carbon
atoms than gasoline and naphtha. Its appearance ranges from colorless to
pale yellow.
5. Gas oil/Diesel oil: This is a viscous product. It is brown in colour.
6. Lubricating oil: This is referred to as residue. It is heavy, viscous and
dark brown in colour.
7. Bitumen (asphalt): This is the solid residue which remains at the lower
part of the fractionating column. It is dark brown in colour.

USES OF CRUDE OIL FRACTIONS

The table below shows the fractions of crude oil, their boiling points, number of
carbon atoms, appearance and uses.

FRACTION NO.OF APPEARANCE BOILING USES

CARBON POINT
ATOMS RANGE
(0C)

Refinery gas 1- 4 colourless Below Fuel for cooking

400C and heating in
homes and
industries.

Gasoline 4 -12 Colourless to 32 -1600C Fuel for vehicles

/petrol pale yellow (motor cars),
aeroplanes and as
solvents for
grease and
paints.

kerosene 13--15 Colourless to 160 - Domestic fuel for

yellow 2500C lamps, stoves as
well as for jet
engines and some
air crafts. A good
solvent for grease
and paints.
Diesel 15 -19 Brown 260-3500C Fuel for diesel
oil/gas oil engines, tractors,
etc.

Lubricating 20 -30 Dark brown Above Lubricants for

oil 3500C moving parts of
engines/machines
to reduce
friction.

Bitumen 35 and Dark brown Above For

above 3500C surfacing/tarring
of roads and
repairing leaking
roofs.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions;

1. What is refining of crude oil?

2. Why crude oil is sometimes referred to as black gold?
3. Briefly describe the process of fractional distillation of crude oil.
4. Name three major locations of refineries in Nigeria.
5. Name four crude oil fractions and state their uses.

ASSIGNMENT:

1. What are petrochemicals?

2. Name five industries that can be established as a result of
petrochemicals.
3. Write the full meaning of the following;
a) L.N.G.
b) P.M.S.
c) L.P.G.
d) D.P.K.
e) A.G.O.
4. What is a hydrocarbon?
5. Give four examples of hydrocarbons.