The oil we are fighting over in Iraq (that is suppose to run out by 2050, I think) comes out thick and black (like on the beginning of the Beverly Hillibillies). How is the petroluem then broken down to make gas? If it's oil that they're pumping, how come we just can't put Pennzoil 30w in our vehicles? My question is... how is it changed from black to clear and shouldn't it be thinner making more gasoline?
2006-06-17 06:36:51 · 6 answers · asked by Holly Moore 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. They are separated at various temperatures called fractional distillation.
The lightest components are natural gas (methane), butane and the like. These distill out first (used for heating + cooking).
Then gasoline distills out (used in cars - commonly called gas).
Kerosene follows (used as aircraft fuel)
Diesel continues (used in heavy trucks)
Heavy industrial oil distills out next (uses for lube and oil burners)
Parrafin wax is one of the last to distill (used in candles and cosmetics)
Finally, the stuff that makes oil black -asphalt- stays as the undistillable residue of the oil. Asphalt is used for making... you guessed it... asphalt roads.
For more info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_refinery
2006-06-17 11:38:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The process is called refining.
Imagine a tall tower with a fire at the bottom and that has cooling racks spaced out at different levels.
Oil in its black and tary form out of the ground, if you looked under and electon microscope, contains difference length chains of carbon molecules.
Each chain can be taken out of the mix by heating and seperated by cooling in different levels.
The lighter gas cools higher in the tower...that would be jet fuel...a bit lower down would be gasoline for cars, and much lower would be the heavy gas known as diesel.
Lubricant oils are very heavy and will be found on the lower levels of the tower as well.
Each petroleum product is seperated into its molecular weight...jet fuel has the shortest carbon chains, tar has the longest.
The length of those cabon chains also determines the temp at which they combust.
2006-06-17 13:59:48 · answer #2 · answered by sshazzam 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
crude oil contains many products after refining, oil, grease, gasoline, diesel, propane and other by products used in producing plastics, shingles and many other products. the basic refining process is to heat the crude oil, and different by products separate at different temperatures. I hope this is useful, but a search and study of the refining process will inform you and you will better understand thy the cost of refining is so high
2006-06-17 13:45:54 · answer #3 · answered by Pobept 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What comes out of the ground is known as crude oil. It has to be refined into gasoline, motor oil, and other petroleum products we use.
2006-06-17 13:41:29 · answer #4 · answered by Flyboy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it comes to making gas, Washington D.C. are the people to go to. And, when it comes to stinking up a neighborhood with pollution, I always learn from my congressman. He has introduced much legislation on matters pertaining to energy and is an expert on passing gas.
Did you even notice what part of the vehicle they stick the hose when you fill up. And, seeing the gas prices....boy, does it hurt !
2006-06-18 02:48:24 · answer #5 · answered by marnefirstinfantry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The black liquid is crude oil.
it cannot be used in its natural form so... it is fractionally distilled....
2006-06-17 13:44:33 · answer #6 · answered by goldielocks 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋