Crude oil fractions
What is happening?
Crude oil is heated. Many hydrocarbons vaporise and rise into the fractionating column.
Selected fraction
Showing all fractions.
Hydrocarbons are non-polar. Longer chains have more electrons and a larger contact surface, producing stronger London dispersion forces, higher boiling points and condensation lower in the column.
| Fraction | Carbon chain | Approx. temp | Uses |
|---|
Model limitations: this is a conceptual model. Fraction ranges and temperatures vary between sources. The model emphasises chain length and London dispersion forces; molecular shape, branching and hydrocarbon type can also affect boiling point.