Question

describe the process of fractional distillation of petroleum and explain the purpose of this process ? (type here please in simple language)

Answer 1

Fractional distillation is the process in which taking a chemical mixture and using heat to separate the various components in that mixture. This process was used in isolating one or more compounds present in a sample containing two or more mixtures.

In this separation technique, heat is used, so boiling points play a crucial role in fractional distillation. Mostly, you can determine that the given component is separated from the mixture by its boiling point. The boiling point is the physical property of the mixture.

Fractional distillation is a process used to refine petroleum oil. A large number of compounds like petrol, diesel, lubricating oil, are present in petroleum oil. Evaporation temperature is different for different liquids. It is the boiling point temperature of that liquid. Oil is heated at 400-degree Celsius. It is fed in the bottom and then further heated. So the liquid with the lower boiling point first changes into vapour and then condenses. At higher temperatures, next volatile liquid transforms into a vapour state and rises. Different vapours rise at a different temperature, and as they condense, they collected in separate trays. Various liquids collected on different shelves. A few gases reach the top of the column without condensing.

(from google)