A process based on the difference in boiling points of the liquids in the mixture to be separated. Successive vaporisation and condensation of crude oil in a fractionating column will separate out the lighter products, leaving a residue of fuel oil or bitumen.
Distillation is carried out in such a way as to avoid any cracking.
It is the basic process that takes place in an oil refinery. While the extra pairs of electrons give the bond more energy they also make it more chemically reactive. All rights Reserved.