Page 17 - 10-Chem-16 CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES
P. 17
16. CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES eLearn.Punjab
This process remain continue until a residue is left behind. The vapours of each fraction are
collected and condensed separately. The fractional distillation of petroleum is carried out in a tall
fractionating tower as shown in figure 16.11
Fig 16.11 Fractional distillation of petroleum.
The crude oil is heated in a furnace upto a temperature of 400°C under high pressure. Then vapours
are passed through a fractionating column from near its bottom as shown in figure 16.11. Hot
vapours rise up in the column and gradually cool down and condense. Such that vapours of higher
boiling point fraction (350—400°C) condense first in the lower part of the tower, while vapours
of medium and lower boiling point fractions rise upwards in the tower and condense gradually
with respect to their boiling points at different levels. In this way, crude oil is separated into six
hydrocarbon fractions as discussed below. Each fraction has its specific boiling range, composition
and uses.
16.4.3 Important Fractions of Petroleum
Each fraction is not a single compound. Rather each one is a mixture of hydrocarbons having
different number of carbon atoms in it. The name of each fraction, its molecular composition,
boiling range and uses are given in the following table 16.2:
17