Question

What do you mean by refining petroleum? Name four products formed by this refining. Explain the uses of each.

Answer 1

Petroleum is also called crude oil. It is a mixture of hydrocarbon fuels such as LPG (used as cooking gas), petrol, diesel, kerosene, and lubricating oils.

Refining of petroleum: The process by which petroleum is separated into fuels such as petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, kerosene, and lubricating oils is called refining.

The four products formed by refining are:

• Petroleum gas
• Petrol
• Kerosene
• Lubricating oils

Uses of products formed after refining :

1. Petroleum gas: Petroleum gas is converted into liquid and supplied as cooking gas, called LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
2. Petrol :

• Used as common fuel for homes and industries.
• Used as fuels for automobiles.
• Used in making paints.

3. Kerosene: It is used as fuel in jets and in fire toys like Poi.

4. Lubricating oils :

• Machine parts are generally lubricated with oil in order to reduce friction.
• Prevent wear and tear of equipment.
• Protect the equipment from corrosion.