Fractional distillation Flashcards
What is crude oil and how is it formed?
It is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of dead plants and animals, particularly plankton.
What is fractional distillation?
The process of separating crude oil into groups of hydrocarbons with similar numbers of carbon atoms
What are the steps in fractional distillation?
1) Heat crude oil at a high temperature until most of it turns to gas
2) The hot gas will rise through a fractionating column
3)The column has a temperature gradient so longer hydrocarbons will condense back into liquids and drain out the column earlier than the shorter hydrocarbons
What is a feedstock?
A raw material used to provide reactants for an industrial reaction.
What is a petrochemical?
A substance made from crude oil, via chemical reactions.
