5.12 I can recall the problems associated with the fractional distillation of crude oil

a) When the crude oil under goes FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION there are too many LONG chain hydrocarbons (e.g. BITUMEN) produced and not enough SHORT chain hydrocarbons (e.g. REFINARY GAS).

b) To solve these problems the LONG chain hydrocarbons undergo a chemical reactions called CRACKING/THERMAL DECOMPOSITION.