Fractional distillation

• Hydrocarbons

  Molecules found in crude oil
• Longer chain hydrocarbons

  Have a higher boiling point than shorter chains
• Fractional distillation


  1. Crude oil is heated to a high temperature

  2. Crude oil vapors fed into fractional distillation column

  3. Hydrocarbons condense when they reach their boiling point

  4. Liquid fractions removed

  5. Remaining hydrocarbons continue moving up the column
• Fractional distillation column

  • Hotter at the bottom, cooler at the top
• Fractions used as fuels

  • Petrol
  • Diesel
  • Kerosene
  • Heavy fuel oil
  • Liquefied petroleum gas
• Feedstock fractions used in petrochemical industry

  • Solvents
  • Lubricants
  • Detergents
  • Polymers