Question

Crude petroleum oil is refined by froth flotation

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B False

To purify the sulphide ores we use the froth flotation method.

In the froth flotation method-

• To a mixture of impure sulphide ore and water, we have to add pine oil and ethyl xanthate.
• When the air bubbled from the lower portion of the tank, froth formation takes place.
• Since the sulphide ores are lighter and insoluble in water, they will be taken up by the froth to the surface and skimmed off.
• The impurities which are soluble in water (heavy) leave at the bottom.
• In this way we can separate sulphide ores from impurities.

But to refine crude petroleum oil, fractional distillation is commonly used.

Refining is a method of removing impurities from crude petroleum oil.

Fractional distillation-

• For refining the crude petroleum oil, it is heated in a furnace and the vapours will rush into the fractionating tower which consists of holes and compartments.
• Component which is having lower boiling point vaporises first and condenses.
• Depending on the difference in boiling point, components separate into different heights.

Therefore, the given statement is false, i.e crude petroleum oil is not refined by froth flotation.