In this episode, we discuss fractional distillation, a method for separating hydrocarbons found in crude oil based on their varied boiling points.

The process begins with heating crude oil to create a vapour, which then enters a fractionating column.

As the vapour rises, different-sized hydrocarbons condense at different temperature levels, with longer chains condensing lower down due to their higher boiling points, and shorter chains condensing higher up.

These collected fractions can then be used as fuels or as feedstock for the petrochemical industry to produce other materials.

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