Fractional destillation.

Crude oil processing is a technological process that results in final petroleum products that differ in chemical composition, physical and chemical properties and structure. For this purpose, the refining process uses different boiling points for each fraction.

Atmospheric distillation

– The crude oil is heated in a tube furnace to a temperature of approximately 370°C at atmospheric pressure. This causes it to evaporate.

– The vapour is directed to a distillation column. The temperature of this column varies: the bottom where the oil vapour enters is very hot, but the temperature gradually drops up the column.

– The column is divided throughout its height by fractional plates, fitted with trough or bell caps.

– The vapour passes through each plate as it rises in the column, causing it to cool and condense again.

– Due to the different boiling points, each fraction condenses again at a different level where it can be discharged.

– As a result, each fraction is separated from the others.