Question

The process of separating constituents of petroleum is known as:
A.Fractional distillation
B.Distillation
C.Separation
D.Multiple separation

Answer 1

Hint: We have to know the word petroleum is acquired from Latin words. Petro describes rock and oleum describes oil. We can say petroleum is a naturally occurring fluid that is obtained from the surface of the earth. We can utilize petroleum as a source for various fuels that we use in our day to day life.

Complete answer:
We know that petroleum is a combination of hydrocarbons and it is produced by compression of organic matter. It is fossil fuel that is produced by degradation of several organisms and compounds for about a million years. Thus, it is obtained as dark coloured liquid oil from the rocks. It is also called rock oil or black gold.
We can discrete the constituents of petroleum using the technique of fractional distillation. Fractional distillation is the method by which we could separate several constituents of petroleum on the basis of difference between boiling points of the respective constituents by technique of distillation. Distillation is boiling and then condensing. We make use of a fractionating column for separating the components of petroleum.
We know that mixture of several kinds of hydrocarbons in large numbers is Petroleum. Alkanes (paraffin), cycloalkanes (naphthalenes), asphaltenes, aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene are few chemicals present in hydrocarbons. We can isolate these chemicals by the technique of fractional distillation. The products derived from petroleum are paraffin, lubricating oil, wax, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, and petroleum gas. According to their boiling point, we can separate the products from petroleum. The compounds that contain low boiling point are separated first. The important elements of petroleum are LPG, petrol, kerosene.
Fractional distillation is the technique that is used for separating the different components of petroleum.
Therefore, the option (A) is correct.

Note:
We have to know that LPG or liquefied petroleum gas is otherwise known as autogas. LPG contains propane, butane, propylene, and butylene in different combinations. It is formed as a by-product of processing of natural gas and petroleum refining. At normal temperatures and pressure, the elements of LPG are present in the form of gases. In LPG, propane and butane are present in similar percentages.