Why do people use fractional distillation




















Field Studies. Atomic Structure. Data Logging. Mini Loggers. Electronic Kits. Science Detectives. Primary Science. Human Body. Seasonal Changes. Working Scientifically.

Lab Equipment. Electrical Accessories. Lab Storage. Measuring Equipment. We might also want to extract naturally-occurring molecules from mixtures. When we talk about fractional distillation we are normally discussing the fractional distillation of crude oil.

Crude oil contains molecules of many different shapes and sizes. Using fractional distillation, we can separate out all of these different components to get more useful products, such as petrol, jet fuel and bitumen, which is the thick, tarry substance that is used to make roads.

Fractional distillation is carried out at oil refineries, for example at Phillips 66 on the Humber Estuary. Scientists have found that heating up crude oil can be used to separate out its different components. They use a fractionating column, which is a giant vertical tank that is very hot at the bottom, and very cool at the top.

Exercise 1: Practical considerations in refining crude oil here. Crude oil is vaporised and added to the fractionating column. The molecules that condense at the bottom of the column, where it is hottest, are the heaviest molecules as these have very high boiling points.

All of the other gases rise up the column, and as they cool, these gases with different boiling points condense and the liquids are separated. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. Chemistry Expert. Helmenstine holds a Ph.

She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter. Updated February 19, Simple Distillation Fractional Distillation Uses Separating relatively pure liquids that have large boiling point differences.

Also separating liquids from solid impurities. Isolating components of complex mixtures with small boiling point differences. Advantages Faster Requires less energy input Simpler, less expensive equipment Better separation of liquids Better at purifying liquids containing many different components Disadvantages Only useful for relatively pure liquids Requires a large boiling point difference between components Doesn't separate fractions as cleanly Slower Requires more energy More complicated and expensive setup.

Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph. Fractional Distillation Definition and Examples. How to Separate Salt and Sand — 3 Methods. What Is Distillation? At the very top of the tower are the gases that are too volatile to condense,such as propane and butane. At the bottom are the "residuals" that contain heavy tars too dense to rise up the tower, including bitumen and other waxes. To further distill these they undergo steam or vacuum distillation as they are very useful.

Please see the video below from fuse school to see how fractional distillation works. Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Fuels. Acid Rain. Climate Change. Climate Feedback. Ocean Acidification.



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