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Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil.
Crude
oil is heated until it
boils and then
the hydrocarbon
gases
are entered into the
bottom of the fractionating column.
As the gases go up the column the
temperature decreases.
The hydrocarbon gases condense back into
liquids
and the fractions are removed from the sides of the
column.
The smaller the hydrocarbon
molecule,
the further it rises up the column
before condensing.
The fractionating column operates
continuously.
The temperatures shown are
approximate.
A sample of crude oil may be separated in the laboratory
by fractional distillation. The collection vessel is changed
as the temperature rises to collect the different
fractions.
Headings Hydrocarbons Search Questions 
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Copyright © 2008 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.