Fractional distillation

Cards (2)

  • Fractional distillation is used to separate groups of hydrocarbons
  • Describe fractional distillation
    Crude oil is heated to vaporise the hydrocarbons
    The fractionating column has a temperature gradient (hottest at the bottom, coldest at the top)
    Gases rise up the column, they condense
    Different compounds in crude oil have different boiling points so they condense at different temperatures