In a fractional distillation, a mixture of liquids is boiled and the resulting vapors travel up a glass tube called a “fractionating column” and separate. The fractionating column is placed between the flask containing the mixture and the “Y” adaptor and improves the separation between the liquids being distilled.
How does fractional distillation work step by step?
- heated crude oil enters a tall fractionating column , which is hot at the bottom and gets cooler towards the top.
- vapours from the oil rise through the column.
- vapours condense when they become cool enough.
- liquids are led out of the column at different heights.
How are fractions separated in a fractionating column?
Crude oil is separated into fractions by fractional distillation. The fractions at the top of the fractionating column have lower boiling points than the fractions at the bottom. All of the fractions are processed further in other refining units.
