fractional distillation

Question 1

define fractional distillation

Answer 1

the process of separating crude oil into groups of hydrocarbons with similar numbers of carbon atoms. We call these groups of hydrocarbons “fractions”.

Question 2

first step of fractional distillation

Answer 2

evaporation
crude oil is heated until it evaporates
crude oil vapour is put into a fractionating column at the bottom and rises upwards

Question 3

second step of fractional distillation

Answer 3

condensation
the temperature is highest at the bottom of the column
long chain hydrocarbons condense at the bottom and are collected as liquids
shorter chain hydrocarbons have lower boiling points, they pass up the column and condense at lower temperatures at the top

Question 4

third step of fractional distillation

Answer 4

collection
fractions are collected and processed to make 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 solvents, lubricants, detergents etc