Fractional distillation

<p>Fractional distillation  is the <a href="/facts/Separation_process/8Ie5Lv5Y">separation</a> of a <a href="/facts/Mixture/tms8rbmn">mixture</a> into its component parts, or <a href="/facts/Fraction_(chemistry)/Ps3psyCz">fractions</a>. <a href="/facts/Chemical_compound/37FXqqtv">Chemical compounds</a> are separated by heating them to a <a href="/facts/Temperature/QyGe4gmj">temperature</a> at which one or more fractions of the mixture will <a href="/facts/Vaporization/0Uxpy1WQ">vaporize</a>. It uses <a href="/facts/Distillation/plDvUMxn">distillation</a> to <a href="/facts/Fractionation/85wUlYTN">fractionate</a>. Generally the component parts have boiling points that differ by less than 25 °C (45 °F) from each other under a pressure of one <a href="/facts/Atmosphere_(unit)/aTbYALII">atmosphere</a>. If the difference in boiling points is greater than 25 °C, a <a href="/facts/Simple_distillation/plDvUMxn">simple distillation</a> is typically used. 
</p><p>A <a href="/facts/Petroleum_refining_processes/bNP55vqb">crude oil distillation unit</a> uses fractional distillation in the process of refining crude oil.
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Fractional distillation open-in-new

Fractional distillation