Fractional Distillation

• What process can be used to separate Crude oil into different fractions (parts)?

  Fractional distillation
• In order for hydrocarbons in crude oil to be useful, they must be separated
• In fractional distillation, crude oil is separated into fractions (parts) and each fraction contains hydrocarbons with a similar amount of carbon atoms
• Fractional Distillation takes place in very large columns. Where might these very large columns be found?

  In Oil refineries
• Most hydrocarbons that are obtained by using fractional distillation are alkanes
• Describe the process of the fractional distillation of crude oil?

  Firstly, the crude oil is heated until it evaporates .The crude oil vapour moves up the fractionating column . The column is hotter at the bottom and cooler at the top . Hydrocarbons condense (turn back to a liquid) when they reach their boiling point. Then the liquid fractions are removed. The remaining hydrocarbons continue to move up the column and condense when they reach their boiling point
• In the fractional distillation of crude oil , Shorter hydrocarbon molecules can reach the top of the fractioning column before they condense and are collected
• In the fractional distillation of crude oil , longer hydrocarbon molecules condense at higher temperatures and are collected lower down the column