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:

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Evaporation

  • We evaporate the crude oil by heating it.
  • Crude oil vapour is put into a fractionating column at the bottom and rises upwards.
Illustrative background for CondensationIllustrative background for Condensation ?? "content

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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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