Fractional Distillation

Question 1

What are the steps for fractional distillation

Answer 1

• Hydrocarbons have different boiling points
• Boiling point depends on size (mass or chain length) of the hydrocarbon
• There is temperature gradient in the fractionating tower. So hot vapour containing mixture of hydrocarbon cooks as it goes up the column becoming a liquid from a gas at it’s specific boiling point
• Higher boiling point molecules collect at the base of the tower and Lower boiling point molecules collect at the top of the tower
• The Hydrocarbons condense as fractions

Question 2

Essential features of fractional distillation

Answer 2

• Boiling point depends on chain length/ size
• Temp gradient in the tower
• Higher boiling/ larger or heavier molecules at the bottoms of column or vice versa