Oil refinery

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/oil-refinery

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary feedstock?Crude oil, a complex mixture of hydrocarbons
2. What is the key separation method?Fractional distillation, separating components by boiling point
3. How does an oil refinery separate the different parts of crude oil?It heats the crude oil to about 350-400°C and lets the vapor rise in a tall column. As the vapor cools, lighter parts like gasoline rise to the top while heavier parts like diesel stay lower.
4. Why do oil refineries need extra steps like cracking and reforming?Simple distillation leaves some heavy oil that is not very useful. Cracking breaks big molecules into smaller ones, and reforming changes the shape of molecules to make more gasoline and cleaner fuels.

Hydrocarbon Fractions: Groups of hydrocarbons with similar boiling points, separated during distillation.
Catalytic Cracking: A process using catalysts to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones at high temperatures.
Naphtha: A volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture, used as a solvent and a feedstock for gasoline production and petrochemicals.
Petrochemicals: Chemical products derived from petroleum or natural gas, used to make plastics, synthetic fibers, and other materials.