Fractional Distillation

The first step in refining. The crude oil is heated until it evaporates, and the vapor fed into the bottom of a 60-meter distillation column, where it gradually cools as it rises. The vapor condenses into different liquids (petroleum cuts or fractions). From the heaviest oil molecules to the lighter hydrocarbons, the products are collected on trays located at different heights in the column (asphalt and wax at the bottom, then heavy fuel oil, fuel oil, diesel, kerosene, gasoline, naphtha and, at the top, LPG, mainly propane and butane).