Fractional distillation

Fractional distillation

1. Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons

   • Contains only Carbon and Hydrogen
     • Crude oil is separated by Fractional Distillation

2. Hydrocarbons have different boiling points

   • Longer chains have higher boiling points

3. Crude oil is heated in the fractional column

4. When the temperature reaches the boiling point of some hydrocarbons, they will evaporate

5. The vapour will rise up the column and will cool down.

6. When vapours cool down they will condense

7. Larger hydrocarbons will have higher boiling point and will not rise up the column as far before it condenses

8. At each condensing point, he hydrocarbons are collected, each fraction has a different collecting point

9. Fractions are treated after collection to remove impurities