Crude Oil - INDUSTRY

FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION: Separates a mixture into different fractionsTall fractionating column is fitted above mixture, several condensers coming off at different heights.Column is HOT at bottom and COOL at top. HIGHER BOILING POINTS: condense at bottomLOWER BOILING POINTS: condense at topCrude oil: mixture of hydrocarbons (a compound made of only hydrogen and carbon atoms)Crude oil is EVAPORATED and its vapours CONDENSE at different temperatures in the fractionating column. EACH FRACTION: contains hydrocarbon molecules with a similar number of carbon atoms and a similar range of boiling points.