Fractional Distillation & Petrochemicals (AQA GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science)

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Fractional distillation

What is fractional distillation?

  • Crude oil as a mixture is not a very useful substance but the different hydrocarbons that make up the mixture, called fractions, are enormously valuable, with each fraction having many different applications
  • Each fraction consists of groups of hydrocarbons of similar chain lengths
  • The fractions in petroleum are separated from each other in a process called fractional distillation
  • The molecules in each fraction have similar properties and boiling points, which depend on the number of carbon atoms in the chain
  • The size of each molecule is directly related to how many carbon and hydrogen atoms the molecule contains
  • Most fractions contain mainly alkanes, which are compounds of carbon and hydrogen with only single bonds between them

The fractional distillation coloumn

A diagram to show the fractional distillation

Diagram showing the process of fractional distillation to separate crude oil in a fractionating column

How does fractional distillation work?

  • Fractional distillation is carried out in a fractionating column which has a temperature gradient 
    • It is very hot at the bottom of the column and cooler at the top
  • During the process of fractional distillation:
    • The crude oil is heated and vapourises
    • The vapours of hydrocarbons enter the column which has a temperature gradient
    • The vapours of hydrocarbons with high boiling points condense at the bottom of the column
    • The vapours of hydrocarbons with lower boiling points rise up the column and condense at the top 

Examiner Tip

As you move up a fractionating column the temperature decreases, so the compounds with higher boiling points come off lower down the column.

Crude oil fractions

Uses of petrochemicals

  • The petrochemical industry is hugely important for modern society and development
  • The fuels that are used in most modern methods of transport (cars, trains, airplanes, etc.) are all based on oil products
  • Polymers, lubricants, solvents, detergents and adhesives are all products that are obtained from crude oil
  • The array of fractions in crude oil and the huge range of compounds we can produce from them all stem from carbon’s ability to form multiple strong covalent bonds with itself leading to a huge number of organic compounds
  • The main fractions and their uses are described in the following table:

Crude oil fractions

Fraction Use
Liquified petroleum gas Domestic heating & cooking
Petrol Fuel for cars
Kerosene Jet fuel
Diesel Diesel engines 
Heavy fuel oil Ships and power stations

Examiner Tip

You need to know the names and corresponding uses of each fraction obtained from crude oil.

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.