How is crude oil separated into fractions?

Crude oil is composed of many hydrocarbons. The crude oil is heated to evaporate it and the vapour rises. There is a temperature gradient up the column (hotter at the bottom, colder at the top). The different hydrocarbons have different boiling points, so condense at different levels and can be collected here.

DD
Answered by Daisy D. Chemistry tutor

3097 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Give the characteristics of a homolgous series.


Describe how carbon dioxide helps maintain temperature on Earth


How do perturbations to a system affect the equilibrium position of a reaction?


Why is cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene no longer accepted for the structure of benzene where the molecular formula is C6H6? Which is more stable and why?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning