Fractional distillation is carried out in a tall column called a fractionating column. The crude oil is heated at the bottom of the column and rises up the column as a vapor. The column is filled with trays or plates that have small holes in them. As the vapor rises, it cools and condenses on the trays. The fractions with the lowest boiling points condense at the top of the column, while the fractions with the highest boiling points condense at the bottom.
The different fractions are then collected from the trays and sent to storage tanks. The main fractions of crude oil are:
Refinery gases: These are the lightest fractions and have the lowest boiling points. They include propane, butane, and ethane. Refinery gases are used as fuels for cooking, heating, and transportation.
Gasoline: This fraction is used as fuel for cars and other vehicles.
Kerosene: This fraction is used as fuel for jet aircraft and in some lamps and heaters.
Diesel fuel: This fraction is used as fuel for trucks, buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles.
Fuel oil: This fraction is used to generate electricity and to heat homes and businesses.
Bitumen: This is the heaviest fraction of crude oil and has the highest boiling point. It is used to make asphalt, roofing materials, and other products.
Importance of fractional distillation
Fractional distillation is an important process because it allows us to separate crude oil into its different fractions, each of which has a specific use. Without fractional distillation, we would not be able to produce the fuels and other products that we rely on every day.
Fractional distillation is a complex process, but it is essential for the production of the many products that we rely on from crude oil. By understanding how fractional distillation works, we can appreciate the importance of this process to our modern way of life
