How can crude oil be separated into different fractions?

Crude oil is a mixture of different hydrocarbons, of varying length. As they have different boiling points they can be separated.Crude oil is heated/vaporised from oil to gas.These vapours enter the fractionating column, which is hotter at the bottom and gets cooler at the top (there is a temperature gradient).The vapours then condense (go from gas to liquid) at different levels when they reach their boiling points.

ZA

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Balance the following equation: C3H8 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O


What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?


A batch of Titanium(iv) Chloride is electrolysed in a chemical plant. (a) State the type of bonding in Titanium(iv) Chloride and why it has to be molten in order to undergo electrolysis. (b) Explain why a DC current has to be be used for electrolysis.


i) Write down the Equation for the Haber-Bosch process. Stating clearly the catalyst used. ii) Explain why high pressures are used for this reaction in industry iii) Explain the importance of the catalyst