Koolwaterstoffracties

Koolwaterstoffracties are mixtures of hydrocarbons, which are organic compounds composed solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. These fractions are typically obtained from the fractional distillation of crude oil. The process separates crude oil into different components based on their boiling points.

The hydrocarbons in crude oil vary in size and structure, from small, light molecules like methane to large, heavy molecules. Fractional distillation takes advantage of the fact that lighter hydrocarbons have lower boiling points and vaporize at lower temperatures, while heavier hydrocarbons have higher boiling points and vaporize at higher temperatures. The crude oil is heated, and the vapor rises through a fractionating column. As the vapor rises, it cools, and different hydrocarbons condense at different levels of the column, forming distinct fractions.

Common koolwaterstoffracties include petroleum gases (like propane and butane), gasoline (for car engines), naphtha (a feedstock for the petrochemical industry), kerosene (used as jet fuel and lamp oil), diesel fuel, lubricating oils, and bitumen or asphalt (used for paving roads). The composition and properties of each fraction depend on the range of boiling points and the types of hydrocarbons present. These fractions are essential raw materials for a wide range of industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and energy production.