Is gasoline made simply by distilling oil?
Remember getting the different fractions (sections) of oil from the oil is not done by simple distillation – there are more than 2 fractions you need to separate out. Therefore, you use FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION Process of fractional distillation: In the fractionating column (see diagram below), there is a temperature gradient. The bottom is hot (350 degrees C) in comparison to the top, which is cool (25 degrees C) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/img/gcsechem_27.gif Heated crude oil enters the fractionating column near the bottom, so that most of the oil is evaporated before it enters. The different fractions in the crude oil have different boiling (and therefore condensing point). The lower the boiling point of the fraction, the higher up the fractionating column the fraction will CONDENSE (gas into liquid) and flow out into the appropriate area.Hydrocarbons (which is what crude oil is made of) with the lowest boiling points condense and collect at the top of the column wherea
