Crude Oil Can Be Separated

Crude oil can be separated out into its various component chemicals, mainly based on the application of heat. Refineries process crude oil into other products through a process called distillation, which uses the boiling points of each component to separate them.

If crude oil is released into the environment through a spill, the ambient heat of the environment (from the sun, water, or earth temperatures) and other factors (such as wind or currents) can cause crude oil to naturally separate.

The lightest components can evaporate into the air. When the spill happens on water, light components can float and create an oil slick; heavier components will sink to the bottom. The crude oil can mix with water to form a sticky, dark substance forming an emulsion that is thicker and stickier than the original oil.

Within the first few hours of a spill, the oil spreads into a thin slick. Wind and weather can break the slick up into smaller patches that begin to scatter over a much wider area.

Around the edges of the spill, oxidation can occur when oil and oxygen begin to combine and produce water-soluble compounds.

To learn more about Crude Oil Hazards visit our Crude Oil Hazards Online Training web page.