15.1.4

Process of Fractional Distillation

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The Process of Fractional Distillation

Different-sized hydrocarbons have different boiling points. Fractional distillation separates hydrocarbons using their different boiling points. The steps of the process are:

Evaporation

Evaporation

  • We evaporate the crude oil by heating it.
  • Crude oil vapour is put into a fractionating column at the bottom and rises upwards.
Condensation

Condensation

  • The temperature is highest at the bottom of the column. Long-chain hydrocarbons condense at the bottom and are collected as liquids.
  • Short-chain hydrocarbons have lower boiling points. They pass up the column and condense at lower temperatures nearer the top.
Collection

Collection

  • The fractions are collected. They are then processed to create end products:
    • Fuels (e.g. petrol, diesel) are a common end product.
    • The petrochemical industry can use some fractions as feedstock (material used in an industrial process) to make products such as solvents, detergents, lubricants etc.
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Atomic Structure

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The Periodic Table

5

Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

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Bonding

7

Electrolysis

8

Groups of the Periodic Table

9

The Atmosphere

10

Reactivity Series

11

Metal Extraction

12

Acids & Alkalis

13

Chemical Tests

14

Physical Chemistry

15

Organic Chemistry

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